House Votes to Prohibit ‘Date Rape’ Tranquilizers

Use of Rohypnol and other powerful tranquilizers to subdue rape victims would carry a penalty of up to 15 years in prison under legislation the House approved Thursday.

“We simply cannot, in good conscience, stand by and leave our wives and daughters, sisters and mothers, vulnerable to these sexual predators,” said Rep. Gerald B.H. Solomon (R-N.Y.), the bill’s sponsor.

The measure, which has yet to be considered by the Senate, passed 421 to 1. It makes it a crime to possess Rohypnol and similar “date rape drugs” with the intent to commit a violent crime, including sexual assault. The potential prison term increases to 20 years when the victim is 14 or younger.

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) voted ‘no.’ She said it was “haphazard” and “dishonest” election year legislation that does not address similar use of other intoxicating substances, such as alcohol or cocaine.

The House action follows a sharp increase in reported use of Rohypnol pills, known on the street as “roofies.” It is an odorless, colorless, tasteless tranquilizer, 10 to 20 times more powerful than Valium.

Although Rohypnol is illegal in the United States, it is used legally in other countries to treat sleeplessness, anxiety, convulsions and muscle tension. At low doses, Rohypnol can cause drowsiness, dizziness, reduced coordination, memory loss and stomach upset. At higher doses, it can cause comas, respiratory depression and death.

Separately, the House, by voice vote, approved and sent to President Clinton a Senate bill requiring the FBI to establish a national database to keep track of felons convicted of sex crimes involving violence or minors. The database will include names, addresses, fingerprints and photos.

The bill requires released offenders to register with the FBI, which in turn is required to notify state officials when an offender moves. Community organizations and private groups could tap into the database via local law enforcement. Offenders failing to register would be subject to a maximum 10-year prison term for repeat offenses.

In other action Thursday, the House passed legislation to deny pensions to Congress members convicted of felonies.

The bill, approved 391 to 32, would apply only to lawmakers convicted next year and in the future, but GOP lawmakers cited the case of former Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dan Rostenkowski (D-Ill.).

Rostenkowski pleaded guilty to mail fraud in April, admitting that he used tax dollars for gifts to friends and to pay workers to perform personal and political work.

“Dan Rostenkowski is collecting almost $100,000 a year while his feet are propped up on his prison cell bed,” said Rep. Gerald C. “Jerry” Weller (R-Ill.).

A similar Senate bill remains in committee.