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Showing Original Post only (View all)Bernie Sanders said country needed more jails and 'tougher' penalties [View all]
Full Headline: Bernie Sanders said country needed more jails and 'tougher' penalties in certain cases in 1994 remarks backing crime bill
By Em Steck and Andrew Kaczynski, CNN
Updated 11:31 AM ET, Sun January 26, 2020
(CNN)Bernie Sanders said in 1994 that he agreed the country needed "some more jails" and that it must be "tougher in certain instances" on crime.
The then-congressman from Vermont made the comments during a news conference in which he explained his support for the now-controversial 1994 crime bill. His remarks, video of which was obtained by CNN's KFile from CCTV-Center for Media & Democracy, a Vermont public access station, sheds light on Sanders' support of the now more controversial elements of the bill, and his reservations about other aspects.
The then-congressman from Vermont made the comments during a news conference in which he explained his support for the now-controversial 1994 crime bill. His remarks, video of which was obtained by CNN's KFile from CCTV-Center for Media & Democracy, a Vermont public access station, sheds light on Sanders' support of the now more controversial elements of the bill, and his reservations about other aspects.
"On the other hand, do I think we need some more jails? Yup. Do I think we have to get tougher in certain instances? Yes, I do," Sanders said. "So what you have is a balance here. You have more money going to law enforcement, more money going into jails. You have, on the other hand, significant sums of money going into prevention, beginning to allow us to deal with violence against women, child abuse and other very serious problems," Sanders said.
"This legislation is not perfect. Let's be clear about it," he added. "But at a time when the citizens of this country are crying out for the government to begin addressing the crisis of crime, there is no question in my mind that this bill, in a dozen different ways, is a major step forward in controlling and preventing crime. It is a bill that should be supported."
"Number one, simply and straightforwardly, we need more cops on the beat," Sanders said, adding that the bill would provide Vermont $43 million to hire new police officers. "The state of Vermont needs more police officers. We need more community policing. We need more police protection in our most rural areas, and this legislation will play a significant role in allowing that to happen."
"Number two, equally importantly," Sanders said. "While this legislation is very strong on increasing police protection -- on stiffening penalties against criminals so that violent offenders remain behind bars where they should be -- it also provides a significant sum of money to prevent crime."

primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
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Bernie Sanders said country needed more jails and 'tougher' penalties [View all]
George II
Jan 2020
OP
Again attacking Bernie for having the exact same position as Biden 25 years ago????
DanTex
Jan 2020
#2
The point is it's not attacking Sanders for having the same position, it's the fact that now....
George II
Jan 2020
#6
Not "whataboutism", more like "sameaboutism". Remember, we're talking about a single bill....
George II
Jan 2020
#24
All I see here is Bernie getting bashed for it. And everyone is all excited about it, too.
DanTex
Jan 2020
#26
Well I agree there too. Attacking for the same stance makes no sense. In either direction.
DanTex
Jan 2020
#8
Turner, Gray, and Sirota have been doing it for at least a week, no one from Biden's campaign has...
George II
Jan 2020
#25
I was told yesterday by a very good Biden supporter that when it comes to pointing there are fingers
Autumn
Jan 2020
#12
There's a lot of "I am rubber, you are glue..." going around too, the pukes are good at that .
Autumn
Jan 2020
#31
Whatabouism has to do with bringing up an unrelated issue to excuse certain behavior
dansolo
Jan 2020
#44
Kinda weird. Like, on Bernie's worst day, he's the same as Biden. And then on the other days,
DanTex
Jan 2020
#15
It's an "argument" (not really) on the hypocrisy of one candidate condemning another....
George II
Jan 2020
#34
Actually not, he disagrees on the impact of the two votes which were identical:
George II
Jan 2020
#33
Bernie didn't write the bill and to be clear he supported the Violence Against Women Act
Autumn
Jan 2020
#35
He voted for it. Period. And in 1995 he tried to get Democrats to increase the penalties in the bill
George II
Jan 2020
#36
Yes he voted for it, he supported the VAW act that was inserted into it. He was not happy he did.
Autumn
Jan 2020
#38