Halt! Label Police!

There was more to the crime bill that passed the House last week than such widely publicized measures as an increase in death-penalty crimes and a federal version of "Three strikes, you're in." A sampling of the bill's 57 get-tough amendments:

Amendment

Establishes stiff penalties for those convicted of fraudulently labeling products "Made in America"

Sponsor

James Traficant

(D.-Ohio)

Raison d'etre

"This amendment will send a powerful message that Uncle Sam won't tolerate anyone misleading the American consumer."

Amendment

Makes unlawful possession of explosives a federal crime and forbids felons to purchase explosives

Sponsor

Louise Slaughter

(D.-New York)

Raison d'etre

Upstate New York saw five people killed in bombings last summer.

Amendment

Urges more aggressive federal prosecution of crimes against truckers

Sponsor

Peter Barca

(D.-Wisconsin)

Raison d'etre

"The FBI says crimes against the trucking industry are on the rise."

Amendment

Authorizes Federal Government to aid investigations and prosecutions of violent crimes against interstate and foreign travelers

Sponsor

Neil Abercrombie

(D.-Hawaii)

Raison d'etre

Abercrombie's state counts on tourism for over 30% of its economy.

Amendment

Toughens penalty for the illegal sale of a Congressional Medal of Honor

Sponsor

Alfred McCandless

(R.-California)

Raison d'etre

"We have been receiving more and more reports of medals being stolen ... and put on the black market."