Legislative records or announcements from Congress

Biden Weighs Commuting Federal Death Sentences for Nearly All Men Sentenced Under His 1994 Law

Dec 21, 2024, 05:15 PM

President Joe Biden is currently considering whether to commute the sentences of individuals on federal death row, many of whom were sentenced under a 1994 law he authored. This law designated numerous new capital offenses, leading to the sentencing of nearly all men currently facing execution. The decision is particularly weighty given Biden's historical role in shaping the legislation that has now put these inmates in their current situation. As he weighs this decision, the implications of his past actions and the potential for mercy are at the forefront of discussions surrounding capital punishment in the United States.