Current Events > Biden says crime bill was a 'mistake' during ABC town hall

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https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/521326-biden- says-1994-crime-bill-was-a-mistake-during-abc-town-hall

Former Vice President Joe Biden acknowledged on Thursday that his support for a crime bill that is widely blamed for increasing mass incarceration of people of color was a mistake, but defended some aspects of the measure.

Asked during a televised town hall in Philadelphia whether supporting the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act was a mistake, Biden said that yes, it was.

But Biden also said that the worst effects of the crime bill came as a result of decisions made on the part of individual states after its passage.

The mistake came in terms of what the states did locally. What we did federally you remember George, it was all about the same time for the same crime, Biden told ABC anchor and town hall host George Stephanopoulos.

Biden also noted that the bill had broad support among prominent Black leaders at the time and that things have changed drastically since then. Nevertheless, he repeated, it was a mistake.

A member of Biden's campaign later took to Twitter to clarify that Biden was speaking of a 1986 crime bill that included mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses.

Bidens support for the 1994 crime bill during his tenure as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee has drawn criticism over the course of his presidential campaign.

He has previously expressed regret for backing the measure, calling it a big mistake last year.

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I'm sure he regrets it now that it'd biting him in the ass. I doubt he gives a shit about the people who's lives he's helped ruin.

I mean, you have to be a sociopath want to be president anyway.

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Taking accountability is a good move but damn he should've closed the book on that topic during the primaries when his VP (ironically) obliterated him for that bill.

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I am sure some people cant accept that biden can re evaluate a decision they made decades ago and acknowledge it was wrong, but i sincerely appreciate it.

Especially next to Trump who could never even fake an ounce of humility
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who posted #2?

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https://twitter.com/BenjySarlin/status/1316912846266052609?s=19
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Jagr_68 posted...

Taking accountability is a good move but damn he should've closed the book on that topic during the primaries when his VP (ironically) obliterated him for that bill.

He's only taking accountability because he got called out on it with millions watching. It would never be brought up otherwise.

"I'm only sorry because I got caught."

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Thats a lot better than doubling down

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Sheiky-Baby posted...

He's only taking accountability because he got called out on it with millions watching. It would never be brought up otherwise.

"I'm only sorry because I got caught."

We all know no one changes their opinions in 34 years

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Frolex posted...

who posted #2?

pogo rabit
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Idk why Bernie bros see this crime bill as some only the crazy radicals supported it at the time.

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JBaLLEN66 posted...

Idk why Bernie bros see this crime bill as some only the crazy radicals supported it at the time.

I assume you are trying to make a point here, but it's unclear. Did anyone say only crazy radicals were tough on crime in the 80s? A lot of people also supported the War on Terror. That doesn't make it a good choice

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It's just a mistake, guys! Everyone accidentally locks up people who pose no threat to society! Nobody's to blame here!

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Now, do we really want a president who makes mistakes?

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hockeybub89 posted...

I assume you are trying to make a point here, but it's unclear. Did anyone say only crazy radicals were tough on crime in the 80s? A lot of people also supported the War on Terror. That doesn't make it a good choice

apples and oranges, crime was rampant at the time and the crime bill reduced crime drastically, but we saw the negative consequences later down the road. I for one dont want NYC to resemble 2019s Joker film tbh. Praising crime and drug use is something only a crazy radical Bernard supporter or fascist would support imho.

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Theon_Greyjoy posted...

Now, do we really want a president who makes mistakes?

You mean a human being? Not sure we have a choice there but we definitely want a President that will admit to his mistakes and try to improve. As opposed to doubling down on his stupidity and making things worse.

Theon_Greyjoy posted...

Now, do we really want a president who makes mistakes?

it wasnt even a mistake in the first place lmao

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If it was a mistake will he undue do it then?

fuck joe biden

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lolife67 posted...

You mean a human being? Not sure we have a choice there but we definitely want a President that will admit to his mistakes and try to improve. As opposed to doubling down on his stupidity and making things worse.

Politicians kill people when they make mistakes. You really shouldn't be allowed to make mistakes in certain fields.

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Antifar posted...

https://twitter.com/BenjySarlin/status/1316912846266052609?s=19

Yup, that makes sense. He doesn't regret his terrible '94 crime bill, just his terrible '86 crime bill.
In any case, although it would be nice if he acknowledged his mistakes more, it's ultimately insufficient if he's not also willing to make it right.
And considering he was the only Democratic candidate to be opposed to at least decriminalizing marijuana...

Beemo_Season11 posted...

If it was a mistake will he undue do it then?

I hope not, I dont want crime to increase upwards of 75% in some cities to appease to pot heads and sheltered sjws

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https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/6/20/18677998/joe-biden-1994-crime-bill-law-mass-incarceration

at this point i'm about 100% certain people bitching about this law are just parroting shit they've seen on twitter.

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monkmith posted...

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/6/20/18677998/joe-biden-1994-crime-bill-law-mass-incarceration

at this point i'm about 100% certain people bitching about this law are just parroting shit they've seen on twitter.

or refuse to give up the radical bernie sanders alt left echochamber out of immaturity or stubbornness

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JBaLLEN66 posted...

or refuse to give up the radical bernie sanders alt left echochamber out of immaturity or stubbornness

what's funny about bernie bros bitching about the bill is that bernie voted for it...

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monkmith posted...

what's funny about bernie bros bitching about the bill is that bernie voted for it...

For specific reasons and he never once pretended like he was voting for it for any other reason.

Theres a vast difference between voting on a bill because of two valuable provisions you like and being very adamant about how bad the rest of the bill is, and being a fervent spearheader in getting the bill written and passed ala Biden.

Fascinating how people that like to smugly quip about context forget that it goes both ways.

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monkmith posted...

what's funny about bernie bros bitching about the bill is that bernie voted for it...

no way, it's a false narrative from the establishment left, Bernie Sanders was personally giving free money and candy to the impoverished in Bankhead Atlanta during the time.

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CommonJoe posted...

For specific reasons and he never once pretended like he was voting for it for any other reason.

Theres a vast difference between voting on a bill because of two valuable provisions you like and being very adamant about how bad the rest of the bill is, and being a fervent spearheader in getting the bill written and passed ala Biden.

Fascinating how people that like to smugly quip about context forget that it goes both ways.

why is reducing crime and making our American cities safe to ****** walk at night bad?

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JBaLLEN66 posted...

why is reducing crime and making our American cities safe to ****** walk at night bad?

Because "reducing crime" is a dog whistle for "less black people".

You dont solve crime by punishing it more brutally you address the root causes like poverty and disenfranchisement.

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ElatedVenusaur posted...

Yup, that makes sense. He doesn't regret his terrible '94 crime bill, just his terrible '86 crime bill.
In any case, although it would be nice if he acknowledged his mistakes more, it's ultimately insufficient if he's not also willing to make it right.
And considering he was the only Democratic candidate to be opposed to at least decriminalizing marijuana...

I was sporadically listening to last nights town hall but Im pretty sure he said his admin would decriminalize marijuana and expunge weed convictions. Even though I think it should be straight up legalized this is a step in the right direction still

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hockeybub89 posted...

Politicians kill people when they make mistakes. You really shouldn't be allowed to make mistakes in certain fields.

Well unfortunately, that's an impossibility in this particular field.

CommonJoe posted...

Because "reducing crime" is a dog whistle for "less black people".

You dont solve crime by punishing it more brutally you address the root causes like poverty and disenfranchisement.

were most of the crimes in the 80s and early 90s committed by black people though? I understand the bill had some negative side effects, that I am glad that we have acknowledged and should work to remedy, but to call the bill outright evil and racist is outright absurd and screams I'm sheltered af. You do know black people benefit from 75% decreased crime rates too?

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CommonJoe posted...

For specific reasons and he never once pretended like he was voting for it for any other reason.

Theres a vast difference between voting on a bill because of two valuable provisions you like and being very adamant about how bad the rest of the bill is, and being a fervent spearheader in getting the bill written and passed ala Biden.

Fascinating how people that like to smugly quip about context forget that it goes both ways.

bullshit, you're buying into sanders narrative that he's a rebel. look at his voting record, you'll see he votes in lock step with democrats on laws that actually need his vote to pass and votes against laws that he knows his vote cant influence in one way or another for rebel brownie points.

...and yet, for this bill he voted yes...

though to be fair, maybe he voted yes because the bill originally was supposed to fix issues. and maybe its not the root issue with incarcerations in this country, seeing that the vast majority of them are state incarcerations that this law doesn't affect?

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Bernie. Sanders voted for the crime bill.

Black Americans were in favor of the crime bill. More Americans now see the negative consequences of the actions of the bill.

JBaLLEN66 posted...

to call the bill outright evil and racist

Strawman.

JBaLLEN66 posted...

I'm sheltered af

Accurate quote.

monkmith posted...

bullshit

I could provide you proof, but are you going to recant this assessment or will you just double down on it?

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CruelBuffalo posted...

Bernie. Sanders voted for the crime bill.

Black Americans were in favor of the crime bill. More Americans now see the negative consequences of the actions of the bill.

how about we work to fix the consequences instead of go crazy and call the whole thing radical and racist?

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JBaLLEN66 posted...

how about we work to fix the consequences instead of go crazy and call the whole thing radical and racist?

This isnt a hill you want to die on buddy.

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hockeybub89 posted...

Politicians kill people when they make mistakes. You really shouldn't be allowed to make mistakes in certain fields.

That literally isn't possible.

Humans are imperfect and cannot forsee all consequences or have all knowledge.


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CruelBuffalo posted...

Bernie. Sanders voted for the crime bill.

Black Americans were in favor of the crime bill. More Americans now see the negative consequences of the actions of the bill.

"Black Americans" or black politicians? There's a big difference between the two.
And yes, Bernie made a big mistake in voting for the bill. He also wasn't its architect and hasn't defended it ever since. I haven't really seen anything from Biden that suggests his underlying political philosophy has changed much since he got elected to the Senate in part by attacking his opponent's support for busing.

Fun reminder that in this topic we have people saying Biden shouldnt be condemned years after the fact because people "change their minds" and yet the same benefit is not given to Sanders.

Nor the benefits of context either. The issue was heavily bipartisan back then and it was not a popular idea to oppose it.


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ElatedVenusaur posted...

"Black Americans" or black politicians? There's a big difference between the two.
And yes, Bernie made a big mistake in voting for the bill. He also wasn't its architect and hasn't defended it ever since. I haven't really seen anything from Biden that suggests his underlying political philosophy has changed much since he got elected to the Senate in part by attacking his opponent's support for busing.

are assuming most black Americans are criminals or just law abiding citizens that want don't want to be a victim of a crime?

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JBaLLEN66 posted...

are assuming most black Americans are criminals or just law abiding citizens that want don't want to be a victim of a crime?

You are blowing that dog whistle way too hard guy.

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Even if he's calling it a mistake, well then it doesn't change the fact that with the bill a lot of African American families were affected. I'm sure if this serves as an apology, they'd accept it, but most likely will still vote for Trump.

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CommonJoe posted...

You are blowing that dog whistle way too hard guy.

dog whistle? You are basically telling me that the average black American would prefer high crime rates to save drug dealers, thieves, and violent people in society. As a Black American, I am deeply offended by this tbh because I for one do not want NYC to resemble a Batman novel and I do not commit or plan to commit any crimes.

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JBaLLEN66 posted...

dog whistle? You are basically telling me that the average black American would prefer high crime rates to save drug dealers, thieves, and violent people in society. As a Black American, I am deeply offended by this tbh because I for one do not want NYC to resemble a Batman novel and I do not commit or plan to commit any crimes.

Uhh what? Thats not what he's saying at all

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Doesnt mean shit in retrospect Joe. The damage was already done you pandering old fool.

JBaLLEN66 posted...

dog whistle? You are basically telling me that the average black American would prefer high crime rates to save drug dealers, thieves, and violent people in society. As a Black American, I am deeply offended by this tbh because I for one do not want NYC to resemble a Batman novel and I do not commit or plan to commit any crimes.

https://youtu.be/NIgfiSzCy1o

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ElatedVenusaur posted...

"Black Americans" or black politicians? There's a big difference between the two.
And yes, Bernie made a big mistake in voting for the bill. He also wasn't its architect and hasn't defended it ever since. I haven't really seen anything from Biden that suggests his underlying political philosophy has changed much since he got elected to the Senate in part by attacking his opponent's support for busing.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/slate.com/news-and-politics/2016/02/why-many-black-politicians-backed-the-1994-crime-bill-championed-by-the-clintons.amp

It starts talking about black activists in the 70s and 80s pushing for harsher crime bills for drugs. So I would assume yes it was supported by black families, but the long term impacts of it were clearly not understood by all.

RchHomieQuanChi posted...

Uhh what? Thats not what he's saying at all

yes he is

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CruelBuffalo posted...

https://www.google.com/amp/s/slate.com/news-and-politics/2016/02/why-many-black-politicians-backed-the-1994-crime-bill-championed-by-the-clintons.amp

It starts talking about black activists in the 70s and 80s pushing for harsher crime bills for drugs. So I would assume yes it was supported by black families, but the long term impacts of it were clearly not understood by all.

A good thing this article highlights (though not directly) is the difference of sensibilities. They didnt see drug abuse as a health problem (just like AIDS wasnt a health problem) and obviously were unable or unwilling to look at Prohibition as a forewarning of what trying to prohibit drugs would result in.

Thats very different today, and one needs to look at whose willing to actually change with the times and to what degree.

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