The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) praised President Biden for commuting the federal death sentences of 37 prisoners, while some Democrats condemned the president's actions.
CBC reports that outgoing caucus chair Rep. Stephen Horsford (D-Nevada) and incoming caucus chair Rep. Yvette Clark have announced that they will continue to pursue the death penalty at the federal level, in part because of racial disparities in employment. argues against the implementation of (DN.Y.) said in a statement Monday.
“America's death penalty is a fundamentally flawed and error-prone instrument that has historically been used disproportionately against Black people and other people of color,” the group said.
The CBC went on to say that Biden's actions demonstrate “a commitment to addressing systemic racism in the criminal justice system” and help set a “moral example for our country.”
Members within the CBC have been pressuring Biden to pardon a number of people over the past few weeks, particularly after his son Hunter Biden's decision to pardon him.
Although President Biden granted clemency to about 1,500 people earlier this month, some members of Congress, like Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), are calling on Biden to commute the death sentences of federal death row inmates. Ta.
Mr. Pressley, who has long led efforts to abolish the federal death penalty, on Monday praised Mr. Biden's historic step.
“There is no more powerful and righteous action than saving someone's life, and today President Biden is doing just that,” Pressley said in a statement.
“The death penalty is a racist, flawed and fundamentally unjust form of punishment that has no place in any society. For too long, the death penalty has been disproportionately used as a weapon against black and brown communities. “This is why we have long appealed to the president to work together to abolish the federal death penalty.” added.
Research has also long shown that black Americans face disproportionately harsher sentences than their white counterparts. 5 year analysis A U.S. Sentencing Commission report released last year found that black men serve approximately 13 percent longer sentences than white men, and both black men and women are less likely to receive probation than white Americans. did. Hispanic Americans were similarly disproportionately affected.
Many other Black leaders also praised Biden's actions on Monday.
Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, said Biden's actions show he is “a man of faith, courage and principles.” .
“The cases of the 37 people whose lives were saved reveal all the serious flaws that inevitably undermine the death penalty, including deep racial disparities,” Morial said, adding that Black Americans are not allowed to commit serious crimes. They are seven times more likely to be wrongly convicted than other Americans. to white Americans.
“As long as the death penalty continues, we will be at risk of executing innocent people,” he added.
Despite praise from Black leaders and civil rights groups, some have condemned Biden's actions.
Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) said he has concerns about the use of the death penalty but believes courts should have “autonomy.”
Republicans, on the other hand, have criticized Biden's reduction.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) accused Biden and the Democratic Party of “siding with corrupt criminals over victims, public order, and decency.”
Despite the criticism, CBC is urging Biden to do more.
“We call on President Biden to expand this effort in the coming weeks by pursuing additional pardons and clemency measures under his authority,” the caucus said.
