Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY) led the NY GOP delegation in introducing a resolution condemning Governor Kathy Hochul’s Far Left Clean Slate Act which will automatically seal criminal records of eligible misdemeanors from public view after three years and certain felonies after eight years following the individual’s release or sentence, as long as they do not have additional subsequent charges.
“I am proud to join Congressman D’Esposito in condemning Kathy Hochul’s absurd Clean Slate Act which will incentivize criminals to continue terrorizing the streets of New York,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. “Once again Kathy Hochul is prioritizing violent criminals over victims and our men and women in Blue. Kathy Hochul’s disastrous, pro-crime Clean Slate Act will prohibit New Yorkers from conducting comprehensive background checks on potential employees or tenants, further endangering the lives of all our constituents.”
"I am proud to join Congresswoman Elise Stefanik in introducing legislation to condemn Governor Kathy Hochul's reckless embrace of the far left's pro-criminal agenda via her Clean Slate Act," said Congressman Anthony D'Esposito. "While the public safety situation continues to deteriorate in many corners of the Empire State thanks to Albany progressives' failing soft-on-crime criminal justice policies, Governor Kathy Hochul is once again placing the priorities of criminals ahead of law-abiding New Yorkers and our community's law enforcement professionals. The Clean Slate Act will handcuff employers and landlords by preventing comprehensive background checks from being conducted on potential employees and tenants, thereby endangering everyday New Yorkers who may be unintentionally placing themselves in harm's way thanks to the Governor's misguided plan."
This resolution recognizes that New York City experienced a 22% increase in overall major crime compared to 2021 and that the New York Police Department is already facing budget cuts and hiring freezes making it even more difficult to combat crime. The resolution also highlights issues surrounding the Clean Slate Act’s passage including its negative effect of prohibiting many New Yorkers from conducting comprehensive background checks on potential tenants and employees and its consequence of empowering criminals at the expense of New York law abiding citizens.
Representatives Stefanik and D’Esposito were joined by Reps. Tenney (R-NY), Malliotakis (R-NY), Williams (R-NY), Garbarino (R-NY), Molinaro (R-NY), Lawler (R-NY), LaLota (R-NY), and Langworthy (R-NY).
Read the full text HERE.
