HARRISBURG – Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41), Senate Majority Whip Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35), Senate Appropriations Chair Scott Martin (R-13), and Senate Judiciary Chair Lisa Baker (R-20) issued the following statement after the House failed to protect Pennsylvania communities today by refusing to allow a vote on bipartisan legislation passed twice by the Senate:
“In March, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled the state’s sentencing guidelines for second-degree murder cases – life without the possibility of parole – are unconstitutional. The court gave the legislature 120 days to set new guidelines that ensure fairness, accountability and public safety. Members of our Senate Republican Caucus have worked with victim advocates, law enforcement, prosecutors and the Pennsylvania Attorney General to create new guidelines that would ensure the punishments fit the terrible nature of these crimes.
“The Senate passed legislation twice to address the issue of Second-Degree Felony Murder. On June 25 we sent Senate Bill 1400 to the House and on July 12 we sent House Bill 1042 to the House. Both bills have bipartisan support, passing our chamber by votes of 30 to 20. With the support of Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, the FOP and the DA’s Association, there is no valid reason for House Democrats to have not allowed a vote to send HB1042 or SB1400 to the Governor’s desk.
“Today, on the 119th day, House Democrats still had the opportunity to join the Senate in keeping our communities safe. Instead of allowing a vote on either of the bipartisan bills passed by the Senate, they chose to engage in political theater and failed to produce any feasible product to protect our communities and victims’ families.
“Senate Republicans are serious about public safety and securing our communities, which is why we acted decisively and in a bipartisan way. Since the day the House announced their return to Session this week, there has been no outreach to us by the Governor or House Democrat Leadership. The lack of engagement on such a significant issue is gravely troubling and a complete failure of leadership.”
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Erica Clayton Wright (Sen. Ward)
Kate Flessner (Sen. Pittman)
Mitchell Scordo (Sen. Langerholc)
Jason Thompson (Sen. Martin)
Jennifer Wilson (Sen. Baker)