Reid proposes federal anti-polygamy task force

by Ashly McGlone Religion News Service WASHINGTON (RNS) Law enforcement officials from three Western states urged the creation of a federal task force to combat polygamy on Thursday (July 24) as members of a polygamous sect called it an attack on religious freedom. The task force proposal is included as part of The Victims of Polygamy Assistance Act of 2008, which was introduced Wednesday by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., a Mormon and outspoken critic of polygamous groups. The bill, currently before the Senate Judiciary Committee, aims to strengthen federal-state partnerships through sharing information and tracking criminal behavior of polygamist groups. The bill would also provide $2 million grants to both victims of polygamy and state investigation teams. The proposal comes after a highly publicized raid at a... [read full story]