October 16, 1999

The Honorable Trent Lott
Majority Leader
United States Senate
S-230 U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC 20510-2403

Dear Majority Leader Lott:

On behalf of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), I am pleased to inform you of our strong support for the Sessions/Schumer Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act of 1999 (S. 1701). As you know, the IACP represents more than 18,000 law enforcement executives from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The IACP urges you to support law enforcement by cosponsoring the Sessions/Schumer Forfeiture Bill.

The IACP believes that one of law enforcement’s most effective weapons is the ability to deprive criminals of the proceeds of their illegal activities or the instruments used to commit their crimes through the use of civil asset forfeiture proceedings. No property is forfeited unless it is determined to be a tool for, or the proceeds of, illegal activities such as drug trafficking, organized crime, and money laundering.

Unlike the asset forfeiture legislation (H.R. 1658) approved by the House, the provisions of the Sessions/Schumer bill will modify current forfeiture laws to respond to concerns regarding fairness and due process. This is accomplished without giving criminals a windfall or creating procedural obstacles that will undermine law enforcement’s ability to combat drug dealers and other criminals. Most notably, the Sessions/Schumer Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act does not impair the ability of law enforcement agencies to conduct effective highway and airport interdiction programs.

Once again, the IACP requests that you help preserve the ability of law enforcement to deprive criminals of the proceeds of their illegal activity by supporting the Sessions/Schumer Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act of 1999.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please contact me at 703/836-6767 if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Ronald S. Neubauer
President
International Association of Chiefs of Police

Related Links

Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act (H.R. 1658)

Sessions / Schumer Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act of 1999 (S. 1701)