Leslie J. Hagin is NACDL's Legislative Director, and was previously counsel to the House Judiciary Committee. Her e-mail address is NACDLlegis@aol.com.
Spring 1998:Time To Rein in Federal Prosecutorial Excesses
House Floor Vote on True Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Measure
As soon as May, we might see House floor action on a True Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Bill. It really is up to us.Before the Congress recessed for the Easter period, our hard work for civil asset forfeiture reform bore some substantial fruit. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde (R-IL) announced his rejection of the DOJ-drafted, forfeiture expanding bill hastily moved through his Committee last June (H.R. 1965). He has rededicated his efforts to his original, true reform measure, H.R. 1835. He plans to bring to the floor a bi-partisan Manager's Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 1965. In essence, the Manager's Amendment is H.R. 1835. We hope to see this measure on the House floor in May.
The powerful March 30 "Dear Colleague" letter from Hyde and other leaders of the Judiciary Committee, urging fellow House members to support the reform measure, is on the opposite page.
[ Click Here for the text of the letter.] The impressive array of citizen and business groups listed as supporting the measure continues to swell. Most recently, the American Bankers Association confirmed its support.But as expected, DOJ and its alter ego forfeiture addict, The International Chiefs of Police, have declared "war" on Chairman Hyde's efforts. They are pulling out all the stops to kill this movement toward true reform.
In order to move this opportunity into result, we need the help of each and every member of NACDL. Use the Dear Colleague letter on the opposite page to urge your own Representatives to stand up to the forfeiture bullies, and support this important bi-partisan effort to protect the private property rights of all innocent Americans.
Your Representatives can be reached through the House Switchboard Operator at (202) 225-3121. They are also coming home to the district regularly now, in this election year. This could be as often as every weekend. There is no more effective way to communicate with your legislator than through home district meetings. You can set one up through the Representative's secretary or scheduler, either through the home office or the Washington office. Look in your phonebook for the local number, or call the House Switchboard Operator to reach the Washington staff.
Should you need any more information, call me, or send me an e-mail, at NACDLlegis@aol.com.
Whatever you do, refuse to do nothing!