McCaskill campaign: Todd Akin voted against creating National Sex Offender Registry

(From the Claire McCaskill campaign)

In 2005, Todd Akin voted against the creation of the national sex offender registry database. This database protects our communities by holding convicted offenders accountable for their actions and not allowing them to hide in plain sight. Prior to the Sex Offender Registry, offenders were able to move from state to state without any accountability for their previous crimes.

Akin Was One of 52 Members to Vote Against Creating the National Sex Offender Registry. Akin voted against HR 3132, which created a national sex offender registry database and required individuals convicted of a sex crime to register before completing a prison term or within five days of being sentenced if not sentenced to prison. Convicted sex offenders who failed to register would face fines and between five and 20 years in prison. The penalty for sexual exploitation of children would increase to 25 years to life in prison. The House passed the bill 371-52. [HR 3132, Roll Call 470, 9/14/05]

“It is unfathomable that Todd Akin would vote seven times to raise his own pay, but would decide we can’t afford such a critical tool for allowing law enforcement officers across the country to work together and protect our families,” said Caitlin Legacki, McCaskill for Missouri spokeswoman. “If Todd Akin had his way, Missouri’s communities would be at much greater risk from sex offenders. It is shameful that Akin’s extreme views are so removed from what is right for Missouri that he won’t even vote to protect our children from the most violent predators.