The Senate Judiciary Committee passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Doug Steinhardt and Senator Brian Stack that would create the new crime of political violence and establish an independent review board to ensure that political violence is investigated, prosecuted and punished in a fair and unbiased manner, according to a May 21 statement.
The bill aims to address concerns about politically motivated attacks by making such acts a distinct criminal offense. Supporters say this measure is intended to protect individuals regardless of their political beliefs and uphold democratic principles.
“This political violence bill protects everyone—Conservative, Liberal, and Independent,” said Steinhardt. “No person should fear hate-fueled political violence for expressing their opinion, and anyone who resorts to such violence to silence that opinion will suffer the full weight of the law. Hate-fueled political violence hurts everyone and erodes the very principles on which our Republic was built.”
Stack said, “I’m proud to stand with Doug on this critical legislation and will do everything I can to help move it through the legislative process. Politically motivated violence is an attack on the foundation of our democracy. No one in this country should live in fear for speaking their mind, and elected officials must be able to govern free from threats, harassment, or attempts to silence them for their beliefs. This bill protects people’s rights to participate in our democracy freely and without fear. By imposing tougher penalties, we are making it clear: if you use violence to punish, deter, or silence a victim from engaging in political expression or participation, there will be consequences. Enough is enough; this kind of behavior has no place in a free society.”
Under S-1090, political violence occurs when someone commits or attempts an underlying violent crime against a target or others connected with them because of their political affiliation or expression.
According to the official website, Bucco serves as Senate Republican Leader for New Jersey’s 25th Legislative District and chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee while also serving on other key committees.
