Issue Position: Criminal Justice Reform

Issue Position

Last December, with my support, Congress passed the First Step Act to reform federal sentencing guidelines and invest in rehabilitation efforts, including vocational and job readiness training, addiction treatment, and trauma care services. But as it was named, this was merely a first step. Since taking the majority, House Democrats have held four hearings on a range of criminal justice topics: women and girls in the criminal justice system; restorative justice; reform of marijuana laws and racial justice. We have also held three hearings on hate crimes and the scourge of white nationalism.

Our criminal justice system is far too broken to freeze at the First Step. Sentencing guidelines still tie the hands of judges and disproportionately impact communities of color. For-profit companies still own much of our prison system as well as detention facilities separating immigrant families and abusing young children. As part of our commitment to criminal justice reform, we must ensure the safety and fair and humane treatment of those who are in prison or detained

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