President Donald Trump’s push for criminal justice reform made it past its biggest hurdle Tuesday night after the Senate gave it a seal of approval with an overwhelming amount of support.
President Donald Trump’s push for criminal justice reform made it past its biggest hurdle Tuesday night after the Senate gave it a seal of approval with an overwhelming amount of support.
The First Step Act is a bipartisan piece of legislation that aims to reduce prison sentences and assist in prisoner re-entry. The point of this legislation is to help prisoners get back on their feet after they have served their time for their crimes.
The prisoners that will be impacted by this bill are those who are behind bars for non-violent crimes such as drug possession. The sentencing disparity between crack cocaine and powder cocaine (which was largely considered to be racially motivated) will be reduced. Prisoners can also reduce their sentences by earning credits for good behavior, participating in vocational training, and other rehabilitative services.
Trump has been pushing criminal justice reform throughout his presidency, meeting with people like Kim Kardashian West and earning the support of Martin Luther King Jr.’s daughter, Dr. Bernice King, as IJR previously reported.
On Tuesday night, the Senate overwhelmingly backed the bill with 87 votes in favor. Trump was quick to congratulate the Senate for its vote.
