This May 2007 document is the United States Sentencing Commission’s fourth report to Congress on the subject of federal cocaine sentencing policy. Congress has not acted on any of the various statutory recommendations set forth in the Commission’s prior reports and expressly disapproved the Commission’s guideline amendment addressing crack cocaine penalties submitted on May 1, 1995. Against a backdrop of renewed congressional interest in federal cocaine sentencing policy, the need to update the Commission’s prior reports has become more important.
The Commission submits this update as a continuation of its efforts to work with the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government and other interested parties to foster change in federal cocaine sentencing policy. It is the Commission’s firm desire that this report will facilitate prompt and appropriate legislative action by Congress.