Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today about an amendment that I think is critically important to this legislation. It addresses a topic that I am concerned about, and I know many are as well, to make sure that law enforcement has the tools they need to ensure that our roads are safe and that when they pull someone over for whatever purpose, they are able to actually have the tools they need to assess the situation.

My amendment would make sure the Secretary of Transportation can conduct a study on technology and methods that law enforcement can use to determine whether a driver is impaired by marijuana. The study will give the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the resources they need to conduct this study.

I think it is important and will make this legislation even stronger.

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Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Jackson Lee).

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his thoughtful amendment, and I thank him for helping to further enhance this bill.

For clarity's sake, let me be very clear. This bill decriminalizes possession on the Federal level. All State laws and all State law enforcement are able to do their job. But let me remind you, Mr. Speaker, the President has put in an enormous amount of money for reducing crime in his budget.

This legislation is extremely important for those of us who recognize the key responsibilities on the Nation's highways. That is a Federal responsibility, and the gentleman has offered an important amendment to give $10 million to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to find the technology to enhance safety on highways.

The bill also includes a requirement that a study should be conducted to understand the societal impacts of decriminalizing marijuana, including the impact on juveniles, education, transportation, veterans, employment, and many others.

The gentleman's amendment, Mr. Gottheimer's, enhances this bill and makes it a direct response to the concerns that Americans may have.

Mr. Speaker, I support the amendment and the underlying bill, and I thank the gentleman for clarifying this important responsibility.

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Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I want to reinforce what Ms. Jackson Lee said, the importance of making sure we invest in safety, which is always my top priority, and making sure that law enforcement has the tools they need.

We invest in law enforcement and ensure we have their backs. They take care of us every single day. I stand by law enforcement, and we will make sure they have the resources they need. This legislation helps in that effort to protect our families and our roads.

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