BIPARTISAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN SENATE LIKELY TO BE INCLUDED IN UPCOMING DURBIN/GRASSLEY PACKAGE

“Terry Fix” Measure Proposed by Chairman Durbin & Ranking Member Grassley Clarifies Key Portion of First Step Act Following SCOTUS Ruling on Drug Sentencing Case Earlier This Year 

BILL COMES DAYS AFTER EQUAL ACT SURGED THROUGH THE HOUSE WITH CRITICAL R, D SUPPORT 

(Washington, DC) – Just days after the House passed the landmark EQUAL Act with a stunning bipartisan 366-61 vote, the Senate’s most prolific bipartisan criminal justice reform duo, Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin and Ranking Member Chuck Grassley, are introducing another crucial sentencing reform bill. The Terry Technical Correction Act, referring to Terry v. United States, applies the retroactivity provision of Section 404 of the First Step Act to all people who were sentenced for a crack cocaine offense before the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 became effective, including those convicted of the lowest level crack offenses that did not trigger a mandatory minimum sentence. The bill is also co-sponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Mike Lee (R-UT), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and is expected to be included in the forthcoming Durbin-Grassley criminal justice reform package.

Please credit the following statement to Holly Harris, the President and Executive Director of Justice Action Network, the country’s largest organization focused on bipartisan criminal justice reform advocacy and legislation at the federal and state levels:

“For the second time in one week – despite all-time partisan toxicity grinding nearly every other issue to a halt – Republicans and Democrats joined together on significant sentencing reform legislation. The “Terry Fix” ensures everyone—including people accused of the lowest-level offenses—gets the second chance relief opportunity afforded by the First Step Act and the Fair Sentencing Act. 

“In this closely divided Congress, it takes commitment and trust to work across the aisle. Chairman Durbin and Ranking Member Grassley have demonstrated that trust and commitment over and over, this time with sentencing reform legislation that ensures people convicted of the  lowest-level offenses are not excluded from second chance opportunities. This legislation is one of the final pieces likely to be included in the forthcoming Durbin/Grassley package, and it is significant that this “Terry Fix” bill already has strong bipartisan co-sponsors with Senators Booker, Paul, Lee, and Klobuchar joining in the effort. 

We look forward to supporting these leaders and the many others advancing common-sense criminal justice reform, perhaps Congress’ best and last hope to pass truly bipartisan legislation this year.”