On June 29, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to consider serious issues with the federal death penalty, allowing the Trump administration to resume executions after an almost two decade hiatus. Unfortunately, on July 14, the Trump administration carried out the first federal execution in 17 years, followed by the second on July 16.

Both executions were briefly delayed while the Supreme Court considered a challenge to the Trump administration's dangerous and painful method. But once again, the conservative members of the Court chose to ignore the grave, life and death concerns brought to them.

Attorney General Bill Barr’s decision to resume the use of capital punishment in federal cases back in July 2019 was conveniently announced less than 24 hours after the testimony of special counsel Robert Mueller to two House committees. Barr claims to seek justice for the families of the victims. But not only is he not a crime victim advocate, he's expressly ignoring the wishes of those who do not want to use capital punishment. Instead, he re-victimizes them, and offers no support to process their trauma and grief.

In response to Attorney General Bill Barr's decision to resume the use of capital punishment, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) introduced H.R. 4052 — legislation to prohibit the death penalty at the federal level and require re-sentencing of those currently on death row.

Capital punishment is unjust. The process is rife with implicit bias, poor lawyering, and junk science. Convictions are more likely if the accused is Black, poor, and/or if the victim is white. The people most likely to be put to death suffered traumatic childhoods, are mentally ill, or have an intellectual disability. It doesn't deter crime or help victims grieve and heal.

Congress can ban the federal government from using capital punishment. And with one more person scheduled to be put to death, they must act quickly.

Sign the petition: Demand an end to the federal death penalty.