Dole Acts to Block Liberal Filibuster of Anti-Drug Bill

Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.) moved Friday to expedite final congressional passage of anti-drug legislation approved by the House, including a controversial provision allowing the death penalty to be imposed for certain drug-related crimes.

Dole, seeking to prevent a filibuster that might cause the Senate to adjourn next week without voting on the drug legislation, said he would file a cloture petition that would allow 60% of the Senate to choke off extended debate. He said a final vote on the House-passed legislation could occur by next Wednesday.

Although many members of Congress from both parties believe that passage of the anti-drug package would be a popular election-year accomplishment, more than two dozen liberal senators have threatened to filibuster any bill that permits capital punishment.

A majority of House members would not have accepted the bill without the death penalty provision, according to congressional aides who have followed the measure.

Applies to ‘Kingpins’

The capital punishment proposal would apply to so-called drug “kingpins” whose crimes cause a death. Some attorneys have said that it would have little practical effect because it is usually difficult to link major narcotics traffickers, as opposed to street dealers, with drug-related deaths.

Organizations that oppose capital punishment have fought to prevent the death penalty from gaining any foothold in federal law. The Supreme Court invalidated capital punishment provisions in federal law in 1972, although 37 states allow executions under their laws.

The legislation authorizes $1.8 billion for drug enforcement, education and prevention. Included is $350 million to states for law enforcement; $110 million to be used against international narcotics trafficking; $200 million for drug rehabilitation programs, and additional funds for more prison space for drug offenders and for the hiring of more federal law enforcement agents and prosecutors.

“We don’t intend to leave here without it,” Dole said, referring to the legislation. “We shouldn’t let one provision derail the package.”