Cohen Applauds Obama Administration's Newly-Expanded Criteria for Executive Clemency

Press Release

Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, today applauded President Obama after it was announced that his Administration plans to use more expansive criteria in considering requests for executive clemency. The Administration's new criteria will take an important step towards bringing justice to hundreds, if not thousands, of Americans still serving time in prison under unjust sentences that would not be ordered today and that have been repudiated by Congress and the President.

"From my first day in Congress, advocating for fairer sentencing laws and realistically examining sentencing disparities has been a centerpiece of my legislative agenda," said Congressman Cohen. "After years of advocating on behalf of Americans who are unfairly incarcerated, the policies that I've encouraged the President and the Attorney General to adopt are now being implemented. I am very encouraged by the prospect that these new clemency criteria will give deserving non-violent drug offenders a second chance at freedom, improve our justice system, and save taxpayers money. President Obama can and should use his Constitutional power to help bring all of these inmates the justice they deserve, and I hope he does so as soon as possible."

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