Pass This Bill

That's the title of a Washington Post editorial today on the Innocence Protection Act.

A compromise bill has been introduced, settling differences between Senator Patrick Leahy, the bill's original sponsor, and Senators Diane Feinstein and Arlen Specter. Senator Leahy's statement on the compromise bill.

The Post points out that the compromise version provides lesser protections than the original bill, which in its view was superior, but that Congress should pass it all the same. Passage in the Senate is by no means certain, even with the compromise version. And a roadblock may lie ahead in the House, notwithstanding that the bill has 240 co-sponsors--why? According to the Post, James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Judiciary Committee Chairman, has doubts.

As the Post says, "The bill should pass. Events of the past few years have proven that the American death penalty poses grave and unacceptable risks to innocent people. We oppose the death penalty, but if it is to exist, those risks should be made as small as possible."

So get on the horn, write a letter or fax to your congresspeople today. More information is available at The Justice Project and The Innocence Project.