JUSTICE ACTION NETWORK STATEMENT ON HEARING FOR VANITA GUPTA, NOMINEE FOR ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY GENERAL

Holly Harris: “Ms. Gupta has a long track record of working with lawmakers, law enforcement, and advocates from both sides of the aisle, and we are hopeful the final floor vote on her nomination will reflect that same spirit of bipartisanship.” 

Gupta’s Years of Bipartisan Collaboration Have Earned Support of Law Enforcement, Leaders of Conservative Reform Movement  

(Washington, DC) – Today, Vanita Gupta appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee to answer questions on her nomination to serve as Associate Attorney General of the United States. Ms. Gupta has long been a close ally of the Justice Action Network, and played a key role in advancing bipartisan criminal justice reform measures, including the First Step Act, landmark legislation sponsored by Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-IA); and the Fair Chance Act, a critical reform sponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Ron Johnson (R-WI). 

“In her appearance today, Vanita Gupta demonstrated the qualities that have made her such an effective advocate, and will serve her well as Associate Attorney General—transparency, collaboration, bipartisanship, and a commitment to justice under law for all Americans,” said Holly Harris, President and Executive Director of Justice Action Network. “Ms. Gupta has a long track record of working with lawmakers and advocates from both sides of the aisle, and we believe the final floor vote on her nomination will reflect that same spirit of bipartisanship.”

“As always, we are grateful to Chairman Durbin for reminding everyone at the close of the hearing of the one hundred fifty thousand human beings in the federal prison system, many of whom have been there for decades for low-level drug offenses. Once she is confirmed, we look forward to continuing to work with Ms. Gupta, as well as Chairman Durbin, Ranking Member Grassley, and leaders on both sides of the aisle on bipartisan measures to right these wrongs.”

Holly Harris submitted a letter in support of Ms. Gupta’s nomination. 

Ms. Gupta’s nomination is supported by the National Fraternal Order of Police, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Major City Chiefs Association, the Major County Sheriffs Association, and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association. She has also secured notable support from across the conservative movement, including Mark Holden of Koch Industries; Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security under President George W. Bush; and Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform.