As Pres Trump prepares to support the First Step Act, a criminal justice bill authored by Reps. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), several lawmakers on the Hill today have expressed caution about it including Sen Booker who told me he is still negotiating about it
Representative Sheila Jackson Lee tells me that she wants sentencing reform added to the First Step Act because she is thinking of the many families whose loved ones are serving extremely long prison sentences for things such as nonviolent drug offenses.
I went to @NationalAction’s event on the Hill featuring several lawmakers. None of the lawmakers I talked w/ were elated about First Step Act which Pres. Trump plans to support. The main sticking points: federally restoring felon voting rights & retroactive sentence reductions.
President Trump now speaking from the WH about criminal justice reform. "Did I hear the word bipartisan?...It's a first step but it's a big first step."
President Trump on First Step Act: It's got tremendous support. We are all better off when former inmates can enter society and be productive.
President Trump: We know that maintaining family and community ties is important. We are getting tougher on criminals but we are treating people differently.
President Trump says the First Step Act undoes some of the things passed in the 1994 crime bill signed by former President Bill Clinton.
The White House says the following people are at the WH as Pres Trump announces his support for the First Step Act:
Senator Chuck Grassley, IA
Senator Rand Paul, KY
Senator Lindsey Graham, SC
Senator Tim Scott, SC
Senator Mike Lee, UT
Rep Doug Collins, GA
Rep Bob Goodlatte, VA
Senator Chuck Grassley, IA
Senator Rand Paul, KY
Senator Lindsey Graham, SC
Senator Tim Scott, SC
Senator Mike Lee, UT
Rep Doug Collins, GA
Rep Bob Goodlatte, VA
President Trump now urging lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to pass the First Step Act. "This is a big breakthrough for a lot of people...I'll be waiting with a pen...It's the right thing to do."
