Prepared Floor Remarks by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa
A Solution to Curb Violent Crime
Wednesday, September 21, 2022

 
It’s dangerous to live in many places in America, especially in blue cities. Like inflation, violent crime remains high. For example, compared to 2019 midyear figures, America’s largest cities have seen a 50 percent increase in murders and a 36 percent increase in aggravated assaults. And it’s no mystery what’s causing this spike.
 
Blue city progressive, pro-criminal prosecutors and radical bail reform laws fuel this spike in violent crime by letting dangerous, repeat criminals go unpunished and even uncharged. The recent tragedies in Memphis, Tennessee earlier this month underscore the danger that families face at the hands of chronic criminals.
 
In fact, the majority of violent crimes are committed by a relative handful of repeat offenders like the two in Memphis. For example:

  • Criminals in Chicago charged with shootings and murders have, on average, 12 prior arrests
  • In Oakland, California only around 400 people – or 0.1 percent of Oakland’s population – were responsible for a majority of the city’s murders.
 
Federal law enforcement has a unique and vital role in targeting repeat, violent criminals. But for the last two years, the Senate’s ability to actually pass bills that expand criminal laws to reduce violent crime and target repeat, violent criminals have hit a brick wall.
 
In July, I introduced the Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act, which is cosponsored by 26 of my Republican colleagues in the Senate. The House companion bill was introduced on September 15 with seven Republican cosponsors.
 
The bill has seven simple solutions that will help to reverse this violent crime spike by putting dangerous criminals in jail and keep them there. These commonsense solutions will fix real problems and bring immediate relief and increased safety to communities plagued by this scourge of violent crime.
 
Given the unprecedented increase in murders, we can and we should make it easier to prosecute murderers. This bill will do that.
 
2021 was the deadliest year to be a law enforcement officer since the 9/11 attacks. We should make it easier to prosecute people who attack law enforcement. This bill will do that.
 
Carjackings are way up nationwide: 200, 300, even 400 percent in some cities. We should deter carjacking with sufficient sentences. This bill will do that.
 
Dangerous drugs are being marketed to young children as colorful candy, and these children are dying from overdoses. We should make it so that no children die from fentanyl made to look like candy. This bill will do that.
 
Bank robbery. Kidnapping. The list of violent crimes that would be strengthened by this bill goes on.

I stand ready to work with Democrats who want to provide relief to their constituents. So if any are open on any of these provisions, I want you to know that I am ready to work with you. Let’s partner together to make the American people safer.