Murphy, Blumenthal Urge President Obama To Expand Job Opportunities For People With Records, Reduce Recidivism

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), along with 25 of their Senate colleagues, urged President Obama to expand job opportunities and reduce recidivism by taking executive action and requiring federal contractors and federal agencies to "ban the box" on job applications. Reforming hiring practices has widespread support from both public and private institutions. Sixteen states, including Connecticut, and more than 100 cities and counties have already begun to implement fair chance hiring practices that prevent job applicants from being asked about prior convictions until later in the hiring process. Many of the nation's largest employers, including Walmart; Target; Bed, Bath & Beyond; Koch Industries; and Home Depot, have also opted to "ban the box."

In addition to Blumenthal and Murphy, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass,), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii).

"Our nation's legal and moral underpinnings provide that anyone who makes a mistake and learns from it deserves a second chance. Yet, too often, Americans who have criminal histories face unreasonable barriers that prevent them from securing gainful employment, limiting their ability to care for themselves and their families. We urge you to use your power as our nation's Chief Executive to require that federal contractors incorporate "fair chance" hiring practices and require federal contractors and agencies from refraining to ask job applicants about prior convictions until later in the hiring process. These reforms would restore hope and opportunity to those with criminal records who face substantial obstacles in their quest to be productive members of their communities," the senators wrote.

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