2002 Ron Paul 58:1
Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, the policy behind
H.R. 4679, the Lifetime Consequences for Sex
Offenders Act, is unobjectionable. Given the
high rates of recidivism among sex criminals,
Wit is certainly legitimate to take steps to reduce
the likelihood that a paroled sex criminal will
commit further crimes. In fact, given the likelihood
that a sex offender will attempt to commit
another sex crime, it is reasonable to ask
why rapists and child molesters are not simply
imprisoned for life?
2002 Ron Paul 58:2
However, Mr. Speaker, questions of the
proper punishment for sexual crimes are not
issues properly under federal jurisdiction. The
Constitution grants the federal government jurisdiction
over only three crimes: treason,
counterfeiting, and piracy. It is hard to stretch
the definition of treason, counterfeiting, or piracy
to include sex crimes. Therefore, even
though I agree with the policy behind H.R.
4679, I must remind my colleagues that the
responsibility for investigating, prosecuting and
punishing sex crimes is solely that of state
and local governments.
2002 Ron Paul 58:3
We have been reminded by both Chief Justice
William H. Rehnquist and former U.S. Attorney
General Ed Meese that more federal
crimes, while they make politicians feel good,
are neither constitutionally sound nor prudent.
Rehnquist has stated that “The trend to federalize
crimes that traditionally have been handled
in state courts . . . threatens to change
entirely the nature of our federal system.”
Meese stated that Congress’ tendency in recent
decades to make federal crimes out of offenses
that have historically been state matters
has dangerous implications both for the
fair administration of justice and for the principle
that states are something more than
mere administrative districts of a nation governed
mainly from Washington.
2002 Ron Paul 58:4
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, while I am in
fundamental agreement with the policies expressed
in H.R. 4679, the Lifetime Consequences
for Sex Offenders Act, I must remind
my colleagues that this is an area over
which Congress has no constitutional responsibility.
I hope my colleagues will join me in restoring
state and local government’s constitutional
authority over criminal activities not related
to treason, piracy, and counterfeiting.
