Scott Applauds Biden For Federal Death Row Commutations

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after President Biden commuted the sentences of 37 individuals on federal death row. Those individuals will have their sentences reclassified from execution to life without the possibility of parole:

“I have long advocated for reforms to make our justice system more fair and effective, and that includes ending the use of the death penalty which has not been shown to reduce crime. I applaud President Biden for commuting these sentences to life sentences without the possibility of parole. The Biden Administration placed a moratorium on federal executions and this will ensure the incoming Administration cannot easily resume the practice. We must be clear: this does not absolve any of these individuals of their guilt, and our thoughts remain with all of their victims’ families and loved ones. Rather, these actions will help us end the use of the death penalty at the federal level. Virginia and many other states have already ended the practice and I will continue advocating for abolishing the death penalty altogether as virtually all developed nations have done. ”

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