NEW ADS RUNNING IN NORTH CAROLINA THANKING SENATORS TILLIS AND BURR FOR SUPPORTING THE EQUAL ACT, A BIPARTISAN JUSTICE REFORM BILL IN WASHINGTON POISED FOR FINAL FLOOR VOTE IN SENATE

The EQUAL Act, Supported by Law Enforcement Leaders, Eliminates Federal Sentencing Disparity Between Crack and Powder Cocaine 

Campaign Comes on the Heels of Eleventh Republican Senate Cosponsor, Pledge from the Majority Leader for an Up-Or-Down Vote 

(NORTH CAROLINA) Today, Justice Action Network released new television, radio, and digital ads that are running in North Carolina, thanking Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr for cosponsoring the EQUAL Act. The advertisements thanking Senators Tillis and Burr are part of mid-six-figure ad buy from Justice Action Network to build support for the EQUAL Act and push for a floor vote in the Senate. Widely supported by prosecutors and police chiefs, the EQUAL Act would help build trust in the justice system and improve relationships between law enforcement and communities they serve in North Carolina and across the country.

See the ads at www.JusticeActionNetwork.org/equalactmedia

Just last week, the EQUAL Act gained its eleventh Republican cosponsor in the Senate, Missouri Senator Roy Blunt, pushing the bill past the 60-vote threshold for passage, and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer pledged to bring the bill to a floor vote. The bill already passed the U.S. House of Representatives with an overwhelming margin of 361-66, including 143 Republican Members of Congress, and 12 members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation.  

And new polling from Public Opinion Strategies found 75% of Americans, including 70% of Trump 2020 voters, support the EQUAL Act.

Holly Harris, President and Executive Director of the Justice Action Network: 

“North Carolina should be proud that both of its Senators are standing on the right side of history and working with law enforcement to protect public safety. Senator Richard Burr and Senator Thom Tillis each have a long history of promoting commonsense bipartisan solutions to our nation’s greatest challenges, so we are pleased but not surprised that they have championed this measure in the Senate. The EQUAL Act now has 11 Republican sponsors, and is ready for a floor vote. We hope Senate leadership will follow the lead of Senators Burr and Tillis, listen to law enforcement, and put this bill on the floor for a vote.”

Nelson Bunn, Executive Director, National District Attorneys Association: 

“NDAA is grateful to Senators Tillis and Burr for joining their colleagues in co-sponsoring the bipartisan EQUAL Act. Prosecutors and law enforcement leaders in North Carolina know that promoting fairness and equity under the law by eliminating unnecessary disparities improves the ability of our members to protect the communities they serve. The growing support for eliminating the Federal sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine sends a clear message: now is the time to send this bipartisan bill to the President’s desk.”

Jason Pye, Director, Rule of Law Initiatives, Due Process Institute: 

“Due Process Institute thanks Senators Tillis and Burr for cosponsoring the EQUAL Act. Although it’s increasingly rare to see bipartisan consensus in Congress, this landmark legislation has brought together Republicans and Democrats, as well as advocates for reform with law enforcement leaders. The EQUAL Act is one of the most important bills that Congress can pass this year, and the support of these Senators has been critical in building its momentum.” 

Janos Marton, National Director, Dream Corps Justice: 

“Dream Corps JUSTICE is deeply grateful for the leadership of Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr, who put aside party difference to support the common sense reforms of the EQUAL Act. Together we'll reverse 35 years of unfair policies, and help thousands reconnect with their families and communities."

Kevin Ring, President, FAMM: 

“By cosponsoring the EQUAL Act, Sens. Burr and Tillis have acted to put the families and public safety of North Carolinians first. This historic bill will make our justice system fairer, and Sens. Burr and Tillis deserve enormous credit for moving this long overdue reform towards reality.”

Heather Rice-Minus, Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Church Mobilization: 

 “The crack powder cocaine disparity has harmed families and undermined biblical values of fairness, consistency, and proportionality in punishment. We applaud this effort to thank the Senate leaders who have joined a broad coalition for justice and encourage their colleagues to join them.”

Senate cosponsors of the EQUAL Act include Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Rob Portman (R-OH), Roy Blunt, (R-MO), Rand Paul (R-KY), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Richard Burr (R-NC), and Joe Manchin (D-WV). 

The EQUAL Act has support from law enforcement groups including the National District Attorneys Association, Major Cities Chiefs Association, Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, former Attorneys General, U.S. Attorneys, and state and local sheriffs, police chiefs, and district attorneys; and leading conservative advocacy organizations, including  ALEC Action, Americans for Prosperity, Americans for Tax Reform, Buckeye Institute, Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition, Digital Liberty, Due Process Institute, Empower Mississippi, Fair Trials, Faith and Freedom Coalition, FAMM, FreedomWorks, Pegasus Institute, Pelican Institute, Prison Fellowship, R Street Institute, Right on Crime, and Taxpayers Protection Alliance.