Tag Archives: Adam Schiff

Congressman Schiff Comments About IRS Selective Enforcement Actions

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Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), a senior member of the Intelligence Committee, issued the following statement in response to allegations that the IRS has engaged in the targeted scrutiny of certain tax-exempt 501(c)4 social welfare groups:

“The Internal Revenue Service must enforce the tax code in a neutral and nonpartisan way. Any politicization of tax enforcement is abhorrent and should be viewed as a grave offense. These allegations must be investigated to the fullest extent and dealt with appropriately.

“I first raised the issue of selective enforcement by the IRS during the Bush Administration, when the agency audited All Saints Episcopal Church of Pasadena based on the content of a particular church service. After a former pastor gave an anti-Iraq War sermon, All Saints became the target of an aggressive IRS investigation in which the church’s tax-exempt status was threatened. At the time, I could find only one Republican colleague, Rep. Walter Jones, that would join me in calling for an investigation. The IRS targeting of certain organizations on the basis of their ideology is anathema, deeply chilling to free speech and cannot be tolerated.

“The need to investigate these allegations thoroughly and to hold accountable those responsible, however, must not obscure the fact that many of the so-called “social welfare” organizations which have multiplied since Citizens United are a sham that should lose their tax exempt status. Some of these organizations are undeniably and overwhelmingly political, and merely seek to use the tax code to shelter their operations from scrutiny and to avoid disclosure of their donors. The IRS must enforce the law fairly and with no regard for ideology, but they must enforce the law.

“Congress should do what I called for back in 2005 – undertake a thorough review of how the IRS interprets and enforces the law when it comes to tax-exempt organizations, and examine whether existing laws and regulations need to be updated to draw a brighter line. Congress should also act to require disclosure of contributions to remove the incentive for partisan organizations to abuse the tax code for the sole purpose of avoiding transparency in the political process.”

Schiff Announces Annual Art Contest with Online Voting for “People’s Choice” Winner

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Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) announced that he will host the annual Congressional Art Competition Forum & Exhibit for the 28th District, featuring high school students’ artwork from the region, on Sunday, May 19. The Congressional Art Competition is an annual contest, with submissions from across the country. The winner from each Congressional District has their work displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. In addition, he has opened up the competition with a “People’s Choice” award, which will be decided through an online vote.

To vote for the “People’s Choice,” constituents should go to Schiff’s website. Voting will be open from Monday, May 6th through Wednesday, May 15th.

“Every year, I am amazed at the talent and creativity displayed in the art I receive from high school students across the 28th Congressional District. Last year, the ‘People’s Choice’ competition was such a success, that we decided to continue the tradition this year. Students, their families and constituents from across our community will be able to weigh in, just like the panel of judges, and pick the ‘People’s Choice’ winner online,” said Schiff. “I look forward to seeing all the entries and welcoming artists and their families at the exhibition. Go to my website and vote – I’m excited to see who my constituents pick as the winner.”

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for Members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, over 650,000 high school students have participated in the nationwide competition.

The first place winner’s artwork will hang in the U.S. Capitol for one year, the piece awarded second place will hang in the Congressman’s Washington, D.C. office for one year, and the piece awarded third place will hang in his Burbank District Office for one year. The “People’s Choice” winner’s artwork will also be displayed in Schiff’s Washington, D.C. office.

The winners of the contest will be announced at the 28th Congressional High School Art Competition Forum & Exhibit on Sunday, May 19, 2013. All student participants will receive a Congressional Certificate of Recognition. The exhibit will be held at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge at Van de Kamp Hall located at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011. Parking and admission to Van de Kamp Hall are free. Exhibit viewing will begin at 3:00 pm and the Forum and Awards Presentation will take place at 5:00 pm. Light refreshments will be served.

To RSVP, please contact Teresa Lamb Simpson in Rep. Schiff’s Burbank District Office at (818) 450 -2900 or (323) 315-5555.

Rep. Schiff Calls on Postal Service to Keep Glenoaks Post Office in Burbank Open

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Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) called on U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe to keep the Glenoaks Post Office in Burbank open. There have been indications that the USPS was planning on closing this facility within the next few months.  While the Postal Service has not made a final determination on closing the facility, it is clear that they are moving ahead with potential closures and consolidations throughout the Los Angeles area, and this would not be the first time that the USPS has denied accounts of a closure only to shutter the facility.  Recently, USPS has consolidated two facilities in Pasadena and the City of Industry, and reported it will close the Glendale Post Office on Broadway.

Glenoaks Station Post Office located on San Fernando Blvd. near Grismer

Glenoaks Station Post Office located on San Fernando Blvd. near Grismer

“I was deeply disappointed to learn that the USPS was considering closing the Glenoaks facility in Burbank,” said Rep. Schiff. “Regrettably, USPS continues to follow a misguided strategy of closing locations and degrading quality in the hope of balancing its books, rather than working with Congress to pursue a larger, more comprehensive approach to its financial health. The closure of yet another facility will only hamper local residents’ ability to access the mail and hurt local businesses, when the real root of USPS’ financial problems stem from a multi-billion dollar prefunding obligation imposed on this agency alone and the overpayment of billions to the federal government.”

Schiff is a sponsor of the Postal Service Protection Act (H.R. 630), which would allow the USPS to use the funds it has previously overpaid in retirement benefit liabilities to meet the prefunding requirement. Schiff also recently sent a letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe urging him to reconsider his decision.

In the letter, Schiff writes:  “First, closing the Glenoaks Post Office would leave Burbank with only two full service Post Offices. While smaller post offices would still continue to operate in the City, those post offices would not offer City residents and businesses the same level of service as the Glenoaks Post Office and as a result residents and business owners would suffer a significant degradation in service. Small business owners and families who rely on the Post Office on a daily basis to help their firms grow, or to receive prescription medication, will likely have to travel far to conduct their business with USPS.

“Second, this step is misguided not only because it will negatively affect the services USPS provides the community, but also because closing this Post Office and others will not achieve anywhere near the level of cost savings that USPS needs to improve its fiscal health. USPS faces an annual multibillion dollar operating deficit, but selling Post Offices will do little compared to the scale of the financial challenges USPS faces.  Instead, they will merely degrade the quality of service and further debilitate an important and historic part of American life.”

The full letter is below:

 

The Honorable Patrick R. Donahoe

Postmaster General

U.S. Postal Service

475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW

Washington, DC 20260-0010

Mr. Donahoe,

As you know, the United States Postal Service (USPS) recently announced that it would shortly be closing the Glenoaks Post Office located at 1634 N. San Fernando Blvd., Burbank, CA 91504. I strongly urge USPS not to proceed with this closure.

First, closing the Glenoaks Post Office would leave Burbank with only two full service Post Offices. While smaller post offices would still continue to operate in the City, those post offices would not offer City residents and businesses the same level of service as the Glenoaks Post Office and as a result residents and business owners would suffer a significant degradation in service. Small business owners and families who rely on the Post Office on a daily basis to help their firms grow, or to receive prescription medication, will likely have to travel far to conduct their business with USPS.

Second, this step is misguided not only because it will negatively affect the services USPS provides the community, but also because closing this Post Office and others will not achieve anywhere near the level of cost savings that USPS needs to improve its fiscal health. USPS faces an annual multibillion dollar operating deficit, but selling Post Offices will do little compared to the scale of the financial challenges USPS faces.  Instead, they will merely degrade the quality of service and further debilitate an important and historic part of American life.

Instead of selling the Post Office on Glenoaks and other post offices across the region and the country, USPS should be pursuing a larger, more comprehensive approach to its financial health, while minimizing service reductions and the loss of local jobs. The current legal requirement that USPS prefund its retirement health benefit program by $5.5 billion per year is one of the largest sources of USPS’s financial woes. USPS should use the funds it has previously overpaid in retirement benefit liabilities to meet the prefunding requirement. The Postal Service Protection Act (H.R. 630), of which I am a cosponsor, would do just that.

Lastly, I have concerns about the process used to close the Glenoaks facility. Under Title 39, Section 404(b)(1) of the United States Code, USPS prior to making a determination as to the necessity for the closing or consolidation of any post office, is required to provide adequate notice of its intention to close or consolidate such post office at least 60 days prior to the proposed date of such closing or consolidation to persons served by such post office to ensure that such persons will have an opportunity to present their views. I’m currently unaware of any steps USPS has taken to ensure that that community members affected by the proposed closure have the opportunity to present their views. USPS should solicit input from the community on the closure through a variety of formats – postal mail, online submissions and a public forum with USPS representatives present to answer any questions about the closure.

I strongly urge the United States Postal Service not to close the Glenoaks Post Office and to effectively and comprehensively solicit input from the community on this proposed action that could degrade services in our city and beyond.

Sincerely,

Adam B. Schiff

Member of Congress

Rep. Adam Schiff Updates Burbank on FAA Furloughs

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Rep. Adam Schiff Updates Burbank on FAA Furloughs Following the Senate’s vote to end FAA air traffic controller furloughs on Thursday, the House jumped in and passed legislation to fund the country’s air transportation system – at least until the end of this fiscal year. Having passed both chambers, the bill is on its way to President Obama to sign and become law.

Air travel in the United States, including LAX and Burbank Airport, were all directly impacted by the furloughs, most notable in departure and arrival delays. myBurbank asked Representative Adam Schiff (D) from California’s 28th District to give his thoughts on sequester, furloughs, and his efforts to bring the problem to a close.

It’s my continued hope that Congress will take steps this year to void the sequester entirely in favor of a more sensible plan of deficit reduction, but if this cannot be accomplished we should do everything possible to save programs that work, keep us safe and keep our economy running.

The elimination of air traffic controllers across the nation, including at LAX and Burbank, was beginning to cause flight disruptions and delays, and impacting commerce in a way that would further injure our economy. That’s why I voted today for legislation allowing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to prevent staffing shortages that have caused delays in the aviation system. 

But today’s vote does nothing to stop other equally damaging cuts due to sequestration – including Head Start, seniors losing their “Meals on Wheels,” loss of housing assistance causing families to be evicted from their homes, and the prospect of justice delayed in our federal courts.

It’s imperative that we replace the sequester with a balanced package that will actually grow the economy and reduce the long-term deficit, and stop these continual band-aid solutions.

You can contact Rep. Schiff and learn more of his positions and activities at his website, schiff.house.gov

Rep. Schiff Honors 2013 Women of the Year

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At a luncheon in Los Feliz this week, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) honored inspiring women from communities in the 28th Congressional District – Hollywood, West Hollywood, Burbank, Pasadena, Silver Lake, Echo Park, Elysian Valley, Los Feliz, Sunland–Tujunga, Glendale, Atwater Village, La Cañada Flintridge and La Crescenta. This recognition is made each year during Women’s History Month.

All of the honorees this year included:

Mel Culpepper (Hollywood) Heidi Shink (West Hollywood), Sylvia Sutton (Burbank) Dr. Gail Schaper-Gordon (Pasadena), Stephanie Vendig (Silver Lake), Rosie Betanzos (Echo Park), Ceci Dominguez (Elysian Valley), Nyla Arslanian (Los Feliz), Cindy Cleghorn (Sunland–Tujunga), Dr. Armine Hacopian (Glendale), Paula Devine (Glendale), Grace Yoo (Atwater Village), Rahla Hall Lindsey (La Cañada Flintridge) and Mary Gant (La Crescenta).

Congressman Adam Schiff honors Sylvia Sutton of Burbank

Congressman Adam Schiff honors Sylvia Sutton of Burbank

“It was an honor and a pleasure to meet with the 2013 ‘Women of the Year’ awardees yesterday, and to recognize their outstanding work and community leadership,” said Rep. Schiff. “Each woman honored has demonstrated an ability to help others, to work tirelessly for an important cause and to make our communities a better place. They serve as a shining example of service for all of us, and especially young people throughout the 28th Congressional District, and it was my pleasure to recognize their extraordinary work and capabilities.”

Every year, during Women’s History Month, Rep. Schiff honors one outstanding woman from each of the communities in the 28th Congressional District. These women come from all walks of life and represent the thousands of women who make a positive impact in our region. While there are no specific criteria for nomination, Rep. Schiff looks for women who — through their work or volunteerism — have improved the quality of life for our community.

Schiff entered a special tribute to each woman into the Congressional Record, which is also below.

A Tribute to Sylvia Sutton

28th Congressional District Woman of the Year-2013

I rise today in honor of Women’s History Month.  Each year, we pay special tribute to the contributions and sacrifices made by our nation’s women. It is an honor to pay homage to outstanding women who are making a difference in my Congressional District.

I would like to recognize an exceptional woman, Sylvia Sutton of Burbank, California, who for many years, has been educating our community about the Holocaust and other human rights violations.

Sylvia received her B.A. in Psychology from UCLA and her MBA in Marketing and Program Management from West Coast University. Sylvia’s early community efforts included volunteering on the David Starr Jordan Middle School Parent Teacher Association (PTA), and the William McKinley Elementary School PTA, where she received an Honorary Life Membership Award, and as a Girl Scout Leader.

Ms. Sutton’s volunteer activities have included the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Burbank Branch, where she served as President, the UCLA Alumni Scholarship Committee, and the League of Women Voters, Glendale/Burbank. Currently, she is the liaison between the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council and the City of Burbank, the Coordinator and Presenter of the annual Burbank Days of Remembrance Commemoration of the Holocaust, and has been the presenter of Holocaust speakers in the eighth and tenth grade classrooms of every Burbank middle and high school since 1991. Sylvia is also a volunteer at the Skirball Cultural Center, as well as the Parliamentarian on the Burbank Coordinating Council. In addition, she works as the secretary for Temple Beth Emet of Burbank.

Sylvia has received a number of accolades for her extensive community service, including the Burbank City 1999 Outstanding Senior Volunteer Award, the 1998 Zonta Woman of the Year for Cultural Awareness Award, and the 1991 Burbank Human Relations Council Distinguished Service Award.

I ask all Members to join me in honoring a truly remarkable woman of California’s 28th Congressional District, Sylvia Sutton.

Rep. Schiff: Universal Background Check Must Be Universal

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Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), a former federal prosecutor and outspoken advocate for commonsense gun safety reform, released the following statement following news that Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) had reached a compromise on background checks:

“While it appears that support for a filibuster against gun safety measures has diminished with today’s compromise – and that is a very positive step – I believe that if we are serious about keeping guns out of the hands of felons and the mentally ill, we need to make sure that a universal background check is just that – universal – and not subject to broad exclusions. Beyond universal background checks, any legislation passed by the Congress should also address the availability of military style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and the lack of access to mental health treatment.

“I’m also troubled the compromise would seemingly extend the unique and undeserved exemption from civil liability that licensed gun dealers and gun manufacturers enjoy to cover private sellers as well. If we want to encourage sellers to act responsibly and take meaningful steps to stop guns from being used in crimes, extending an unwarranted immunity is counter-productive.”

“It is my hope that both the Senate and the House will proceed by allowing comprehensive measures to come to the floor for a full debate and vote.  The President was absolutely correct – the victims of gun violence deserve a vote.”

Rep. Adam Schiff to Host Town Hall on Gun Violence

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On Wednesday, April 3rd at 6:30 pm, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) will convene and moderate a town hall to discuss the causes of gun violence such as the horrendous shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. The discussion will include federal legislation that has been proposed to put in place universal background checks for all gun sales, improve mental health treatment and the quality of records in the background check system, and other proposals being debated by Congress.

Congressman Schiff will be joined by Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, former State Senator Jack Scott, Dr. Anand Pandya, Loren Lieb, and an invited representative from the NRA.

“Since Newtown, Congress has been debating steps that we can take to prevent future gun violence and tragedies from occurring,” said Rep. Schiff. “It’s my hope that we can take steps to crack down on straw purchasers, ban assault weapons with extended ammunition clips, repeal the gun industry’s immunity from liability, and make background checks universal, among other steps. This town hall will serve as an opportunity for members of the public to weigh in, and hear directly from experts and those that have experience with gun violence and mental health. Together, we can explore steps to prevent horrendous tragedies like Newtown.”

 

WHO:             Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Burbank)

Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca

Former State Senator Jack Scott (whose son died in a shooting accident)

Dr. Anand Pandya; Associate Professor of clinical psychiatry at USC Keck School of Medicine

Loren Lieb; Los Angeles resident and mother of a child injured in the Los Angeles Jewish Community Center mass shooting in 1999

Representative from the NRA (invited)

WHAT:          Congressman Schiff will convene and moderate a town hall to discuss the causes and solutions of gun violence such as the horrendous shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT.

WHERE:       West Hollywood City Council Chambers

625 N. San Vicente Blvd.

West Hollywood, CA 90069

WHEN:          Wednesday, April 3rd; 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Schiff to Go After Super Pacs With Constitutional Amendment Permitting Regulation of Campaign Spending

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Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) today reintroduced a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s ill-considered opinion in Citizens United, and other Supreme Court precedent, which have made it impossible to regulate the billions in campaign spending unleashed over the last two decades. The amendment also overturns the Supreme Court decision Arizona Free Enterprise Club’s Freedom Club PAC v. Bennett, which struck down an Arizona law that allowed public financing of a candidate if their opponent exceeded certain spending limits.

California Rep Adam Schiff

Congressman Adam Schiff

“With the growth of Super PACs this past cycle, it’s clear that now more than ever we need real campaign finance reform,” said Rep. Schiff. “As a result of the Supreme Court’s artificial distinction between contributions to a candidate and direct expenditures that have the same effect, Super PACs and anonymous donors are the norm rather than the exception.  My amendment is simple – it would allow Congress to set reasonable limits, and allow states to set up public financing for candidates, if they choose to do so.

“I have always been loathe to amend the constitution, but the tragic line of decisions by the Supreme Court has severely threatened the very health of our democracy.  Something must be done, and we must overturn Citizens United.”

Schiff drafted the legislation last year with Harvard Law Professor Laurence H. Tribe, and pushed to hold hearings on his amendment and others.  He was joined today by Michael Capuano, David Cicilline, Sam Farr, John Garamendi, Jim Himes, Barbara Lee, Betty McCollum, Michael Michaud, Jerry Moran, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Charles Rangel, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, Chris Van Hollen, and Peter Welch.

The amendment provides simply: “Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to forbid Congress or the States from imposing reasonable content-neutral limitations on private campaign contributions or independent election expenditures, or from enacting systems of public campaign financing, including those designed to restrict the influence of private wealth by offsetting campaign spending or independent expenditures with increased public funding.”

Schiff is no stranger to campaign finance reform. Elected in 2000, after the most expensive race for the House in history at the time, he became a cosponsor of the bipartisan McCain-Feingold bipartisan campaign finance reform law on his first day in Congress.Citizens United helped overturn critical parts of that and other campaign finance laws.

Laurence H. Tribe is the Carl M. Loeb University Professor and Professor of Constitutional Law at Harvard Law School. Rep. Schiff served as one of his research assistants while a student at the law school in the mid-1980s.

Schiff Solicits Nominations for Annual Woman of the Year Award

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Every March, in recognition of Women’s History Month, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) honors outstanding women from his district.  The 28th Congressional District includes the cities and communities of Atwater Village, Burbank, East Hollywood, Echo Park, Elysian Valley, Glendale, Griffith Park, Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Los Feliz, Montrose, Pasadena, Shadow Hills, Silver Lake, Sunland, Tujunga and West Hollywood.

“Recipients of the ‘Woman of the Year Award’ come from all walks of life and represent the thousands of women who make a positive impact in our region,” Rep. Schiff said. “I urge constituents to contact my office and let us know about some of the admirable women in our communities by nominating them for this year’s award.”

Constituents are encouraged to nominate women in their community — while there are no specific criteria for nomination, Rep. Schiff looks for women who — through their work or volunteerism — have improved the quality of life in our community. Nominations can be sent to Mary Hovagimian (mary.hovagimian@mail.house.gov). Nominations should include a written description of your nominee’s accomplishments, the home address, phone number and e-mail of the nominee, and the nominator’s name and contact information.

The deadline for nominations is February 22, 2013.

Schiff Introduces Two New Bills Dealing With Gun Violence

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Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced legislation, The Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act, to ensure that the victims of gun violence are allowed to have their day in court and that the gun industry – manufacturers, sellers and interest groups – is not shielded from liability when it acts with negligence and disregard for public safety.

“Good gun companies don’t need special protection from the law, and bad gun companies certainly don’t deserve it,” said Schiff. “Other industries across our country like automotive manufacturers, pharmaceutical firms and even cigarette companies don’t enjoy special protection under the law, and there is no reason to give the gun industry the right to act negligently.  As part of our larger effort to stop gun violence in the country, everyone – including gun companies – should be held accountable for their actions.”

In 2005, Congress passed legislation called the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) which provides immunity in state and federal court from civil liability for licensed manufacturers, distributors, and dealers of firearms, as well as their trade associations, in most negligence and products liability actions. This immunity from liability under well-established common law principles that apply to everyone else in society is unique to the gun industry. As a result, gun makers and sellers have a lesser obligation to act with reasonable care for the safety of the public. It also means that gun sellers can turn a blind eye to straw purchasers or traffickers who may buy hundreds of weapons and traffick them to others with no background check whatsoever. A background check is only as effective as it is comprehensive and if gun dealers can sell to straw purchasers with impunity, it will allow large scale evasion of a universal background check system. As most gun companies are responsible businesses, this immunity only protects the worst actors in the industry.

Schiff has been working with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence to draft this legislation, which has already attracted a dozen cosponsors.

“We are better than a nation where businesses have a duty to act reasonably if they sell bb guns or beer, but the gun sellers who irresponsibly profit off criminals are above the law that applies to everyone else,” said Dan Gross, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. “Most gun sellers are responsible business people who don’t supply criminals, but unless current law is changed, the few bad apples in the industry will be held unaccountable to victims of their irresponsible conduct.”

When Congress passed the PLCAA, its supporters argued that it was necessary to protect the gun industry from frivolous lawsuits, but that victims of gun violence would not be shut out of the courts. Senator Larry Craig, the sponsor of the legislation and at the time a member of the NRA’s board, stated during debate on the Senate floor, “This bill will not prevent a single victim from obtaining relief for wrongs done to them by anyone in the gun industry.” In reality, numerous cases around the nation have been dismissed on the basis of PLCAA even when the gun dealers acted in a fashion that would qualify as negligent if it involved any other product. Victims in these cases were denied the right to even discover or introduce evidence of negligence.

Schiff’s legislation allows civil cases to go forward against irresponsible bad actors. Letting courts hear these cases would provide justice to victims while creating incentives for responsible business practices that would reduce injuries and deaths.

Schiff also introduced the Straw Purchaser Penalty Enhancement Act, which would create a new two-year sentence for certain “straw purchasers” of firearms. Straw purchasers in the United States are responsible for many of the illegal firearm transfers to the Mexican drug cartels. Current federal penalties have provided prosecutors with little leverage in their efforts to tackle gang and cartel violence. Schiff’s legislation would provide prosecutors with a new tool to go after the gangs and drug cartels and the gun smugglers that arm them.

“During my time as a federal prosecutor, I learned that one of the most powerful tools in our arsenal was the ability to ‘roll’ lower-level offenders to get at those who were higher up and the most responsible for gun violence,” said Schiff. “The laws currently on the books targeting straw purchasers of firearms don’t treat it as anything other than a paperwork violation.  We need to crack down on those who are buying weapons with the express purpose of providing them to those who can’t pass a background check.  Straw purchasing is not a ‘paperwork’ violation – it’s a serious crime that has led to a horrendous increase in criminal access to firearms.”

During his press conference last week, President Obama called for stronger penalties for straw purchasers, remarking: “Congress needs to help, rather than hinder, law enforcement as it does its job.  We should get tougher on people who buy guns with the express purpose of turning around and selling them to criminals.  And we should severely punish anybody who helps them do this.”

Schiff’s legislation would create a new two year penalty for a straw purchaser who intentionally deceives a gun dealer about the true identity of the gun’s purchaser. The sentence would be in addition to the penalty under existing law. The bill also requires that gun purchasers be notified when they buy a gun that lying about the true purchaser of a gun is a serious offense. Schiff also made modifications to the version he introduced last Congress with the inclusion of a “Safe Harbor” provision that allows judges to reduce sentences for a narrow category of defendants.

Groups from across the ideological spectrum have called for enhanced laws to prosecute gun trafficking, including Mayors Against Illegal Guns and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.