S.1917 / 106th Congress

Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 1999

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Nov 10, 1999

Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 1999 - Repeals death penalty provisions for a wide range of specified offenses under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Federal criminal code (the code), the Controlled Substances Act, and other statutes, including for murder relating to the smuggling of aliens, murder during a hostage-taking, and certain non-homicide-related offenses (espionage and treason). Repeals code procedures relating to imposition of the death sentence.(Sec. 3) Prohibits sentencing to death or putting to death any person for any violation of Federal law. Directs that any person sentenced to death before the date of this Act's enactment for any such violation serve a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Feingold, Russell D. [D-WI] · D–WI

Committees

Judiciary Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. Levin, Carl [D-MI]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Nov 10, 1999
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Nov 10, 1999
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S14563-14566)
Nov 10, 1999
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Nov 10, 1999 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze S.1917 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.1917, 106th Congress: Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 1999

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/1917

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-11-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s1917/BILLS-106s1917is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:54:01Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.1917 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.1917 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.1917, 106th Congress: Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 1999

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/1917

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-11-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s1917/BILLS-106s1917is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:54:01Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1917 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.1917 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss S.1917, 106th Congress: Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 1999

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/1917

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-11-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s1917/BILLS-106s1917is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:54:01Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1917 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.1917, 106th Congress: Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 1999

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/1917

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-11-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s1917/BILLS-106s1917is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:54:01Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1917 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.