The Changing Views of Chairman Conyers on Commutation

NOW: Conyers Opposes Libby Commutation

“In light of yesterday’s announcement by the President that he was commuting the prison sentence for Scooter Libby, it is imperative that Congress look into presidential authority to grant clemency, and how such power may be abused. Taken to its extreme, the use of such authority could completely circumvent the law enforcement process and prevent credible efforts to investigate wrongdoing in the executive branch.” – Press Release from Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-MI), July 3, 2007

THEN: Conyers Supports President Clinton’s Commutation of Terrorists

Back in September 1999, Conyers also voted against H.Con.Res. 180, a resolution expressing the sense of Congress that making concessions to terrorists is deplorable and that President Clinton should not have granted clemency to the FALN (Armed Forces of National Liberation) terrorists. The House passed the resolution by a vote of 311-41, with 72 members voting present (Roll Call Vote 398).

Just a month earlier, President Clinton had commuted the sentences of 16 members of FALN that set off bombs in New York City and Chicago and were convicted for conspiracies to commit robbery, bomb-making, and sedition, as well as for firearms and explosives violations. The commutation was opposed by U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the Fraternal Order of Police.