Pennsylvania House Democrats have been accused of giving an “early Christmas gift to criminals and convicts” by tabling a series of amendments that would have strengthened the pardons process. Republican Leader Bryan Cutler criticized the Democrats for silencing Republican voices and pushing through a proposal that could make communities less safe.
The amendments were tabled during the debate on House Bill 1410, a constitutional amendment sponsored by Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton. The bill aimed to change the requirement of unanimous support from the Board of Pardons for recommending a pardon to the governor, to a three-fifths vote.
The tabled amendments included several provisions aimed at ensuring the rights of crime victims. One amendment, proposed by Representative Kutz, would have required the Board of Pardons to notify victims or their next of kin about their right to submit written comments or offer testimony at the full pardon hearing. Failure to comply would render any related action by the Board of Pardons null and void. Another amendment, proposed by Representative Davanzo, would have required the publication of recommendations in at least two newspapers in every county in the case of a sentence of death or life imprisonment.
Representative Mihalek’s amendment sought to create a sliding scale for pardon recommendations based on the severity of the crime, increasing the requirements for dangerous criminals to be pardoned.
House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler expressed his disappointment with the actions of the House Democrats, stating, “House Democrats have told crime victims they do not matter as they push through a reckless proposal that could make our communities less safe.” He criticized the Democrats for silencing Republican voices and using processes that they themselves abhorred to shut down Republican ideas.
Cutler concluded by accusing the House Democrats of doing a disservice to crime victims and their families while undermining the long-standing pardons process. He accused them of weaponizing the rules to make bad law without true bipartisan input.
House Bill 1410 is scheduled for a final vote in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Tuesday.
For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.repcutler.com/News/33265/Latest-News/House-Democrats-Give-Early-Christmas-Gift-to-Criminals-by-Tabling-Amendments-to-Strengthen-the-Pardons-Process
