Word: ashcroft
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...bill that concerned Pratt, the Violent and Repeat Juvenile Offender Act, proposed tougher penalties on criminal street-gang activities. It even had the backing of the National Rifle Association. But Pratt's far more militant GOA launched a letter-writing campaign demanding that Ashcroft and other senators abandon the measure...
...objected, among other things, to a provision that would impose stiff penalties for gun violations under the Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). In his letter to Pratt, Ashcroft seemed to agree, saying, "I am working to see that the RICO provisions are stripped from the bill... ." A version of the measure passed both houses but died in a House-Senate conference...
...interview with TIME, Pratt appeared to be proud of the Ashcroft letter, which is posted on GOA's web site (item low on page). He noted, however, that his group gave the senator no more than a C minus in its ratings of members of Congress and will not support or oppose him for attorney general...
Mindy Tucker, a spokesman for the Bush transition, said Ashcroft wrote Pratt to thank him for making the senator aware of unintended consequences of the bill. "It's an indication of his appreciation for [Pratt's] heads-up," she said...
Tucker said Ashcroft ultimately withdrew his sponsorhip of the bill because he considered the RICO provisions overly broad, a position she added was also taken by the liberal ACLU...