SENATOR RICHARD BURR BECOMES TENTH GOP SENATOR TO COSPONSOR EQUAL ACT, LANDMARK SENTENCING REFORM BILL NOW POISED FOR FLOOR VOTE
Burr’s Support for the EQUAL Act Hailed by Conservative & Law Enforcement Groups
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Today, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) became the tenth Republican Senator to cosponsor the EQUAL Act, a bipartisan sentencing bill that would fully and finally eliminate the federal sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) is also a cosponsor of the EQUAL Act, which has strong support from law enforcement organizations such as the Major Cities Chiefs Association and the National District Attorneys Association.
Last year, the EQUAL Act passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by an overwhelming margin of 361-66, including 143 Republicans. Representatives Alma S. Adams, Dan Bishop, Ted Budd, G. K. Butterfield, Madison Cawthorn, Virginia Foxx, Richard Hudson, Kathy E. Manning, Patrick T. McHenry, Gregory F. Murphy, David E. Price, and Deborah K. Ross each voted in favor of the EQUAL Act, delivering the bipartisan support of 12 of the 13 members of the North Carolina congressional delegation.
Senator Burr’s sponsorship of the EQUAL Act was applauded by leading conservative and law enforcement organizations:
Holly Harris, President and Executive Director of the Justice Action Network:
“Senator Burr will hold a special place in history as the tenth Republican cosponsor who put EQUAL Act over the threshold for a floor vote in the Senate and moved America one step closer to eliminating one of the worst relics of the failed War on Drugs. With his cosponsorship of EQUAL Act, Senator Burr proves his belief in fundamental fairness under law, trust in the law enforcement leaders backing this legislation, and commitment to safer communities. History will smile on Senator Burr's support for the EQUAL Act, and we urge Senate leadership to take note of the vote count for this legislation and send it to the floor as soon as possible.”
Nelson Bunn, Executive Director, National District Attorneys Association:
“NDAA is grateful to Senator Richard Burr for joining his 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.”
Kevin Ring, President, FAMM:
“By cosponsoring the EQUAL Act, Sen. Burr has acted to put the families and public safety of North Carolinians first. This historic bill will make our justice system fairer, and Sen. Burr deserves enormous credit for moving this long overdue reform towards reality.”
Jason Pye, Director, Rule of Law Initiatives, Due Process Institute:
“We are thrilled to see Senator Burr cosponsor the EQUAL Act and thank him for supporting this long overdue move toward fairer sentencing. In a town where bipartisan consensus is hard to come by, the EQUAL Act is one piece of legislation around which Democrats and Republicans have coalesced. It’s time to move the EQUAL Act and make it law. The families who would benefit from this legislation can’t wait any longer.”
Heather Rice Minus, Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Church Mobilization, Prison Fellowship:
“Fair punishments that fit the crime hold people accountable the right way. We are thankful Senator Burr is coming alongside faith, conservative, civil rights, and law enforcement leaders in working to correct a grave injustice in federal law, and we urge his colleagues in the Senate to swiftly take up and pass the EQUAL Act.”
Janos Marton, National Director, Dream Corps JUSTICE:
"We deeply appreciate Senator Burr for becoming the 10th Republican Senator to co-sponsor the EQUAL Act, and thank his office for listening to North Carolinians directly impacted by the prejudiced and overly punitive drug laws that the EQUAL Act will reform."
Senator Burr joins Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Rob Portman (R-OH), Rand Paul (R-KY), 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), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) as cosponsors of the legislation.
The EQUAL Act has been endorsed by leading law enforcement organizations, including the National District Attorneys Association, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, and the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys; and some of the nation’s most influential conservative groups, including Americans for Tax Reform, Americans for Prosperity, Faith and Freedom Coalition, FreedomWorks, ALEC Action, Prison Fellowship, the Due Process Institute, R Street Institute, and Taxpayers Protection Alliance.