NEW ADS RUNNING IN SOUTH CAROLINA THANKING SENATOR GRAHAM 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

(SOUTH CAROLINA) Today, Justice Action Network released new television, radio, and digital ads that are running in South Carolina, thanking Senator Lindsey Graham for cosponsoring the EQUAL Act. The advertisements thanking Senator Graham 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 South 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 Representatives Nancy Mace, Ralph Norman, Tom Rice, William Timmons, Joe Wilson, and Jim Clyburn.  

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: 

“Senator Graham has a long history of promoting commonsense bipartisan solutions to our nation’s greatest challenges, so it is no surprise that he is a champion for the EQUAL Act. This bill, backed by the country’s most respected prosecutors and police officials, promotes fundamental fairness under law, and helps build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. We hope Senate leadership will follow Senator Graham’s lead, put public safety first, and schedule a vote as soon as possible.” 

Nelson Bunn, Executive Director, National District Attorneys Association: 

“NDAA is grateful to Senator Graham for joining his colleagues in co-sponsoring the bipartisan EQUAL Act. Prosecutors and law enforcement leaders in South 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.”

Patrick Purtill, Director of Legislative Affairs, Faith & Freedom Coalition: 

“The strong bipartisan support for the EQUAL Act, which would end the federal prison sentence disparity between crack cocaine and powdered cocaine offenses enacted with overwhelming bipartisan support in 1986, is the capstone to Congress’ cautious and measured approach to the new realities of substance abuse in America. We are grateful that Senator Graham is leading on this issue.”

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

“Due Process Institute thanks Senator Graham 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 Senator Graham has been critical in building its momentum.” 

Jeremiah Mosteller, Senior Policy Analyst, Americans for Prosperity: 

“The EQUAL Act is a clear opportunity for Congress to end a failed policy that has caused injustice. The bold leadership of a bipartisan coalition of Senators proves that our representatives in government can work together to improve our federal criminal justice system. We hope that more Senators from both parties will join them in ending this unjust sentencing disparity that has failed to advance our country’s public safety or public health goals.”

Janos Marton, National Director, Dream Corps Justice: 

“Dream Corps JUSTICE is deeply grateful for the leadership of Senator Graham, 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.

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.