In recent months, the United States has witnessed a rapid dismantling of the rule of law. Federal agents, operating under the banners of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, have threatened, maimed, battered, and killed Americans exercising their rights under the Constitution.
 
Following violence in Minnesota streets, local and state authorities attempted to conduct independent investigations only to be blocked by the Trump Administration. But the states are obligated to deter obstruction whenever and wherever it occurs and preserve the integrity of state enforcement.
 
To this end, we plan to introduce legislation that will strengthen state criminal and civil penalties for knowingly destroying, concealing, or manipulating evidence, or otherwise interfering with a lawful state investigation. Furthermore, this legislation will create a supervisor offense that addresses supervisors who knowingly fail to take reasonable steps to preserve, stop, or report as well as supervisors who order, approve, or encourage evidence tampering.    
 
Pennsylvania authorities are morally obligated to pursue justice. And penalties for manipulating an investigation must meet the gravity of the times.
 
Please join us in cosponsoring this legislation to safeguard the rule of law.