Death Penalty OKd in Drug Bill

The House today amended a $2-billion anti-drug bill to permit death sentences against those convicted of murder during drug-related felonies. The vote was 299 to 111.

Rep. George Gekas (R-Pa.), author of the provision, said it would be a “swift and certain” deterrent to drug killers. The provision went one step further than a 410-1 vote earlier today for a mandatory life sentence for drug killers. The capital punishment provision would give federal judges an additional option when killings occur during drug crimes. A similar amendment by Gekas was added to an anti-drug bill two years ago by a 296-112 vote, but the provision was later dropped after the Senate refused to go along.