Federal Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act

The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act (VCCLEA) was passed in 1994 and, as of 2017, is the largest crime bill in U.S. history. The act was written by Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) with the intention of providing federal action to combat a perceived rise in violent crime. Portions of the act remain controversial, such as the act’s heavy emphasis on incarceration and its disproportionate impact on minorities. There is also vigorous debate about whether the act contributed to falling crime rates throughout the United States after its passage. The act has added enormous funding to police forces and encouraged aggressive policing in communities, all in the interest of greater security for the population. At the same time, critics have raised the question about ...