SENATE ADVANCES BIPARTISAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM LEGISLATION TO INCENTIVIZE STATES TO STOP DEBT-BASED DRIVER’S LICENSE SUSPENSIONS

Driving For Opportunity Act Backed by Diverse Coalition of Criminal justice, Law Enforcement, Civil Rights, and Conservative Advocacy Organizations 

(Washington, DC) – Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance the Driving For Opportunity Act of 2021 (S.998), legislation that would create state incentives to stop debt-based driver’s license suspensions and eliminate an outdated federal mandate that withholds highway funds from states that fail to suspend licenses for unrelated drug convictions. Every year, millions of Americans face debt-based license suspensions, restricting their access to employment, education, and healthcare. These suspensions are particularly harmful in small cities, towns, and rural areas without meaningful public transportation or ridesharing options. 

The Driving for Opportunity Act, led by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Roger Wicker (R-MS), is co-sponsored by Senators Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), John Boozman (R-AR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), James Lankford (R-OK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

In response to today’s committee vote, Holly Harris, President and Executive Director of Justice Action Network, the country’s largest organization focused on bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation and advocacy said:

“Debt-based license suspensions don’t protect public safety; they don’t even help collect debt. Instead, they trap people in a cycle of poverty and punishment, and threaten access to work, school, and medical care. That’s why states from Mississippi to Oregon have eliminated license suspensions for unpaid fines and fees, and that’s why we’re happy to see Congress take up this issue. We applaud Senators Wicker and Coons for leading the way, and thank their co-sponsors and colleagues for advancing this bill today.”  

The Driving for Opportunity Act is supported by a diverse coalition of law enforcement, civil rights, and advocacy organizations, including Fines and Fees Justice Center, ACLU, Americans for Prosperity, Americans for Tax Reform, FreedomWorks, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National District Attorneys Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, Major County Sheriffs of America, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials, Prison Fellowship, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Civil Rights Corps, Due Process Institute, Fair & Just Prosecution, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Vision Zero Network, SPLC Action, The Libre Initiative, Law Enforcement Action Partnership, and Digital Library.