LEADING CONSERVATIVE AND FAITH-BASED GROUPS CALL ON SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TO PASS THREE CRITICAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM BILLS
Thursday Markup in Senate Judiciary Committee Includes the First Step Implementation Act, COVID-19 Safer Detention Act, and Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act
“These bills are natural next steps to the First Step Act that seek to improve existing programs and further restore fairness in our sentencing laws.”
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, 11 leading conservative and faith-based organizations urged members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to support three crucial criminal justice reform measures that will be included in Thursday’s markup. The First Step Implementation Act, the COVID-19 Safer Detention Act, and the Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act, are sponsored by Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and have earned support from across the political spectrum.
The letter, signed by Americans for Prosperity, Americans for Tax Reform, the Due Process Institute, FAMM, Faith & Freedom Coalition, FreedomWorks, Justice Action Network, Prison Fellowship, and the R Street Institute, notes that “the bills under consideration enjoy broad conservative support and are smart on crime efforts that will maintain public safety, restore judicial discretion, and provide compassion and second chances.” Right on Crime and the American Conservative Union have also written to members of the committee, urging them to support the legislation.
“These critical reforms continue in the path marked by the First Step Act showing that criminal justice reform is an area where both sides can put people above partisanship and work together on behalf of everyone affected by the justice system,” said Holly Harris, President and Executive Director of the Justice Action Network. “We are grateful, as always, for the incredible partnership of Chairman Durbin and Ranking Member Grassley, whose leadership made the First Step Act possible, and whose bipartisan cooperation continues to deliver results for the American people.”
The First Step Implementation Act (S. 1014), sponsored by Chairman Durbin and Ranking Member Grassley would make the First Step Act’s sentencing reforms retroactive, allowing people to petition a judge for a sentence in line with current law; expand the safety valve to allow for individualized determinations of recidivism risk; and increase opportunities for people who were sentenced as minors to apply for record-sealing and resentencing.
The COVID-19 Safer Detention Act (S. 312), sponsored by Chairman Durbin, Ranking Member Grassley, and Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Coons (D-DE), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Roger Wicker (R-MS), expands eligibility for compassionate release and elderly home detention.
The Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act (S. 601),sponsored by Chairman Durbin, Ranking Member Grassley, and Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Mike Lee (R-UT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) closes a loophole in federal sentencing that allows a judge to enhance a person’s sentence based on conduct for which they have been acquitted by a jury.
** *The Full Letter and List of Organizations Is Available at THIS LINK ***