Beilenson Helped Kill Anti-Crime Measures

As usual, Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson’s rhetoric has run smack into his record. During recent deliberations for the 1994 Omnibus Crime Bill, Beilenson used his position on the powerful Rules Committee to kill a number of positive, effective anti-crime amendments, merely because they were Republican-sponsored.

So much for bipartisan spirit and an end to gridlock.

Among the amendments he helped defeat:

- Establishment of a tracking center to help identify, incarcerate and deport illegal immigrants who are criminals.

- A provision to prohibit possession of a firearm at or near a day-care center or a community center.

- A provision requiring criminals convicted of federal crimes to make restitution to their victims.

- A provision to authorize grants to states that enact laws revoking the driver’s license of anyone who brings a handgun into schools.

- Creation of a new category of federal prosecution against “child abuse and endangerment.”

- A ban on 175 specifically named semiautomatic weapons.

Beilenson claims to be concerned about the impact of illegal immigration, and yet he voted against concrete provisions that address those issues.

He claims that crime is a “state problem,” and yet when faced with a chance to effect positive solutions, he opposes them.

Is it because the ideas were proposed by Republicans? If so, this represents “politics as usual” at its worst. The people of this district don’t care whose ideas they are. We just want the best solutions possible.

RICH SYBERT

Calabasas

Sybert is a candidate for the Republican nomination to Congress in the 24th District.