Criminal Justice and the Courts

All Americans should be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. As a basic principle, any person convicted of injuring another individual should be punished to the highest extent of the law. This should be applied equally and without regard to race, religion or sexual orientation. This is the guiding principle established in our Constitution, one that helped frame much of what is covered in that document.

In the wake of numerous controversial court decisions at the District, Appellate and Supreme Court levels, many Americans have become disillusioned with our current judicial system.

Many Idahoans have expressed concerns to me about unelected judges legislating from the federal bench. In the past, I have voted against the confirmation of nominees who have supported an activist role for the federal judiciary. I will continue to examine the records of all nominees, and will oppose any nominee whose philosophy runs counter to the Constitutional role of the judicial branch.

We have seen an explosion in the availability of illegal drugs and criminal activity in many parts of the country. We want our families to live in safe communities, attend schools where violence and illegal drugs have no place and patronize businesses that adhere to a code of ethics. It is equally important that homes be safe havens. Americans must have faith in their judicial system and those who work within it. Throughout my service in Congress, I have worked for laws that will protect our families and communities, enforce equal protection under the law and provide a society that will fulfill the loyalty and love of country spoken about by James Madison.

I was the lead Republican sponsor to successfully renew the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) this year. The five-year renewal to this critical legislation strengthens programs and policies meant to prevent domestic and sexual violence and ensures continued services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The law includes new and vital protections for all victims of domestic violence, seeks to reduce the backlog of untested rape kits throughout the country, provides needed assistance to law enforcement in prosecuting sexual assault crimes, and assists law enforcement in investigating human trafficking crimes by also reauthorizing for four years the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, which expired in September 2011.

Please use the links on this page to learn more about the various criminal justice and court issues that are currently facing our country.