By RUTH MCCAMBRIDGE | May 18, 2017
May 17, 2017; Washington Post
Criminal justice reform advocates all over the country have cause to celebrate for a moment today as a bipartisan group of senators filed legislation that is in clear opposition to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ recent order to federal prosecutors to pursue the harshest possible charges, and by extension, sentences for defendants accused of criminal acts.
Republican Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) co-sponsored the legislation with Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-VT).
“Mandatory minimum sentences disproportionately affect minorities and low-income communities, while doing little to keep us safe and turning mistakes into tragedies,” said Paul. “As this legislation demonstrates, Congress can come together in a bipartisan fashion to change these laws.”
“An outgrowth of the failed War on Drugs, mandatory sentencing strips critical public safety resources away from law enforcement strategies that actually make our communities safer,” said Leahy.
As the Justice Safety Valve Act is introduced in the Senate, a companion bill is being readied for the House. It will be sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA).
Not only would the legislation provide greater latitude to federal judges on sentencing, it would reduce correctional spending under the Department of Justice.
Read more at https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2017/05/18/bipartisan-coalition-mandatory-minimums-files-bill-countering-ag-sessions/
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