Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law Act of 2021 or the EQUAL Act of 2021
This bill eliminates the federal sentencing disparity between drug offenses involving crack cocaine and powder cocaine.
Currently, different threshold quantities of crack cocaine and powder cocaine (e.g., 28 grams of crack cocaine and 500 grams of powder cocaine) trigger the same statutory criminal penalties.
This bill eliminates the lower quantity thresholds for crack cocaine offenses. Under the bill, the same threshold quantities of crack cocaine and powder cocaine trigger the same statutory criminal penalties.
The change applies to future cases and cases pending on the date of enactment. With respect to past cases, the bill authorizes a sentencing court to impose a reduced sentence on a defendant who was convicted or sentenced for a specified crack cocaine offense before this bill's enactment. A defendant does not have to be present at the sentence reduction hearing. Finally, the bill prohibits the reduction of a sentence that was previously reduced.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Discharged.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 117-128, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 117-128, Part I.
Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 92.
Mr. Nadler moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5477-5481)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1693.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5492-5493)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 361 - 66 (Roll no. 297).(text: CR H5477)
Roll Call #297 (House)On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 361 - 66 (Roll no. 297). (text: CR H5477)
Roll Call #297 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
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