PA House Republicans 🇺🇸

News from the Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus. Terms of use:

[PA House Republicans 🇺🇸 @PAHouseGOP]

A judge gave a repeat fentanyl dealer house arrest. Now imagine no minimum sentence for second-degree murder.

This is the chaos that House Democrats have created.
https://t.co/KdcjuYbQFt

[PA House Republicans 🇺🇸 @PAHouseGOP]

Recently, Rep. Weaknecht attended the Mid Atlantic Air Museum's World War II weekend, an incredible event that brings history to life while paying tribute to the heroes of the Greatest Generation. 🇺🇸

[PA House Republicans 🇺🇸 @PAHouseGOP]

PA House Democrats passed HB 1042, an act that could put convicted killers back on Pennsylvania's streets.

[PA House Republicans 🇺🇸 @PAHouseGOP]

State Rep. Mark Gillen spent years guarding violent offenders as a corrections officer.

Here's why he says PA House Democrats' HB 1042 should worry every Pennsylvanian.

[PA House Republicans 🇺🇸 @PAHouseGOP]

Over a thousand murderers across #PA could be released from prison because of the inaction of House Democrats.

House Republicans stand for crime victims and their families ... NOT for the criminals.

[PA House Republicans 🇺🇸 @PAHouseGOP]

"The Democrats are coddling, caring, comforting and supporting the criminal element." - Rep. Donna Scheuren

Law enforcement, including the @PAAttorneyGen and @PA_FOP, agree that the streets will be more dangerous with the PA House Democrat plan.

[PA House Republicans 🇺🇸 @PAHouseGOP]

Most people hear "second-degree murder" and have no idea what it actually means.

Listen to Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo explain what it is and why eliminating mandatory minimum sentences removes an important deterrent for criminals.

[PA House Republicans 🇺🇸 @PAHouseGOP]

"Now that the stay is over, Lee will appear before a lower court for resentencing. And advocates expect other inmates charged with 2nd degree murder to similarly appeal their own sentences."

House Democrats had months to prevent this, but instead they failed. Now, we have a public safety crisis.
https://t.co/kX0DXsGmmA

[Policy Committee @PolicyCmte]

The Keystone State can't keep settling for the bottom
⠀
#Trending, #Policy

[PA House Republicans 🇺🇸 @PAHouseGOP]

Working families struggle on a daily basis to cover the cost of child care. In fact, two kids in child care in PA costs more than the average mortgage payment.

We have introduced a legislative package to make child care more affordable, expand access to care, and lower costs.

[PA House Republicans 🇺🇸 @PAHouseGOP]

"Victims of murder don't ever lose that heartache. Every birthday. Every holiday. Every anniversary date of that tragic news, is a painful event."

Listen to a clip of Rep. Benninghoff's powerful floor speech on House Democrats' amendments to HB 1042.

[PA House Republicans 🇺🇸 @PAHouseGOP]

"I cannot accept legislation that weakens sentencing and injects uncertainty into our criminal justice system.

Victims deserve certainty, transparency, and a voice."

Listen to Rep. Verobish explain how House Democrats' HB 1042 puts victims last and public safety at risk.

[PA House Republicans 🇺🇸 @PAHouseGOP]

House Republicans have said from the beginning that PA needed a constitutional fix on second-degree murder sentencing that protected public safety.

The executive director of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association agrees.
https://t.co/Iv1Oifod7L

[PA House Republicans 🇺🇸 @PAHouseGOP]

Meet Kristopher Gartrell.

In 2021, an Adams County court convicted Gartrell of second-degree murder, rape, and other related offenses.

According to prosecutors, Gartrell broke into an 87-year-old woman's home, repeatedly raped her and then strangled her to death. He later attempted to set fire to the house to destroy evidence.

In interviews with investigators, Gartrell's girlfriend described a pattern of violent threats. According to her statements, Gartrell threatened to chop off her children's fingers so he could force her to eat them.

Gartrell was sentenced to life in prison which is what the law at that time required.

Now that the sentencing law has been ruled unconstitutional, lawmakers are forced to revisit how these cases are punished.

Except House Democrats refuse to act. They want people like Kristopher Gartrell to live in our communities.

[PA House Republicans 🇺🇸 @PAHouseGOP]

House Democrats didn't expect members of their own party to call them out on HB 1042.

A Democrat district attorney sat in our office this week and laid out what this bill really does.

Wait until you hear what House Democrats tried to slip in under medical parole...

[PA House Republicans 🇺🇸 @PAHouseGOP]

“The advocates for criminals are winning the day in the House Democratic caucus.” https://t.co/glaS3ifMUY

[PA House Republicans 🇺🇸 @PAHouseGOP]

Pennsylvania ranks 40th. Again.

Under Gov. Shapiro, PA remains stuck near the bottom of the U.S. News & World Report Best States rankings. Since he has taken office, we have consistently earned failing remarks for our economy and financial stability.

House Republicans are working to change that by cutting taxes, investing in workforce development, reducing red tape, and making PA more competitive for families, workers, and job creators.
🔗 https://t.co/LhJF4HTV6O

[PA House Republicans 🇺🇸 @PAHouseGOP]

Meet Tyler Bradshaw and Shante Rice.

In 2012, they planned an armed robbery of a Hess convenience store. Rice entered the store first to scout it out before signaling to Bradshaw to come inside with a stolen handgun. When cashier Linda Ness turned toward the counter, Bradshaw pointed the gun at her and demanded money. Seconds later, he shot her in the chest and neck, killing her. Bradshaw and Rice fled without taking a dollar.

Linda Ness was a 55-year-old grandmother who loved to crochet and was simply working her shift that day.

Bradshaw and Rice were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, which is what the law at the time required.

Now that the sentencing law has been ruled unconstitutional, lawmakers are forced to revisit how these cases are punished.

Except House Democrats refuse to act. They want people like Tyler Bradshaw and Shante Rice to live in our communities

[PA House Republicans 🇺🇸 @PAHouseGOP]

House Democrats’ HB 1042 opens the door for second-degree murderers to petition for a new sentence and an early release.

How many convicted killers would be released into your community?