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HR 3981 103th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Air piracy Arson Assault Capital punishment Criminal procedure Drug abuse Extortion Firearms Homicide Indian law enforcement Kidnapping Larceny Minorities Murder Narcotic traffic Pardons Rape Recidivists Robbery

To provide mandatory life imprisonment for persons convicted of a third violent felony.

Introduced: March 15, 1994 Introduced by: Schumer, Charles E. Democratic · New York See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 103rd Congress ended
It never became law before the 103rd Congress (1993–1994) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 10 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 25, 1994
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 256.
Mar 25, 1994
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 103-463.
Mar 17, 1994
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
Mar 17, 1994
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 16, 1994
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 11, 1994
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended).
Mar 11, 1994
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 10, 1994
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime and Criminal Justice.
Mar 8, 1994
Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Mar 8, 1994
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Amends the Federal criminal code to require that a person convicted in a U.S. court of a serious violent felony be sentenced to life imprisonment if: (1) the person has been convicted of such a felony on two or more prior occasions in a Federal or State court; and (2) each serious violent felony used as a basis for sentencing under such provision, other than the first, was committed after the defendant's conviction of the preceding serious violent felony.

Lists non-qualifying felonies, including: (1) robbery or an attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit robbery if the defendant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that no firearm or other dangerous weapon was involved in the offense and the offense did not result in death or serious bodily injury to any person; and (2) arson if the defendant establishes by such evidence that the offense posed no threat to human life and that the defendant reasonably believed the offense posed no threat to human life.

Makes provisions of the Controlled Substances Act regarding information filed by the U.S. Attorney in proceedings to establish previous convictions applicable to the imposition of sentence under this Act.

Specifies that this Act shall not be construed to preclude imposition of the death penalty.

What's happening now March 25, 1994

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 256.

 Related & companion bills 3
  • HR 93 Procedurally related Life Imprisonment for Egregious Recidivists Act of 1993
  • HR 3036 Procedurally related Three-Time Loser Act of 1993
  • HR 3424 Procedurally related Three-Time Loser Act of 1993
 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 1
POMEROY, EARL
· Mar 15, 1994
 D
Hoyer, Steny H.
Maryland · Mar 8, 1994
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3981: To provide mandatory life imprisonment for persons convicted of a third violent felony.. 103rd Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-3981/
MLA
"H.R. 3981: To provide mandatory life imprisonment for persons convicted of a third violent felony.." 103rd Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-3981/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3981, 103rd Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-3981/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3981: To provide mandatory life imprisonment for persons convicted of a third violent felony.](https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-3981/)
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