With President Trump on Board, Leader McConnell Should Bring FIRST STEP Act to the Floor ASAP

Nov 14, 2018 by AFP

ARLINGTON, Va. – Today, President Trump endorsed the bipartisan FIRST STEP Act, legislation that will reduce crime and recidivism, make federal sentencing laws more just, and help people who want a second chance. Freedom Partners and Americans for Prosperity welcomed the president’s support and urged the Senate to act swiftly to pass the bill.

Freedom Partners Chairman Mark Holden issued the following statement:

“We thank President Trump and Senators Grassley, Graham and Lee for working hard to make our communities safer by advancing bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation that voters across the political spectrum overwhelmingly support. We urge Leader McConnell to bring the FIRST STEP Act to the floor as soon as possible.

“By improving our federal prisons through rehabilitation programs and making our sentencing laws more just, the FIRST STEP Act will reduce crime and recidivism, save money, and help people get a much-needed second chance in life.

“We also applaud the president, these senators, and members of the law enforcement community for rejecting baseless scare tactics from some opponents of criminal justice reform. As conservatives in states like Texas, South Carolina, and Georgia have shown, the way to increase public safety is by being smart on crime and soft on taxpayers through evidence-based practices.”

Americans for Prosperity President Tim Phillips issued the following statement:

“We’re encouraged today by President Trump’s embrace of bipartisan criminal justice reform and urge Congress to quickly come together to pass this important legislation.

“The FIRST STEP Act would give people who have paid their debt to society a second chance to avoid past mistakes and help build safer communities by ensuring they have the opportunity to contribute. This is a smart-on-crime approach that will save money help break the dangerous cycle of recidivism that plagues our communities.

“Americans from all backgrounds and members of the law enforcement community strongly support the FIRST STEP Act. We thank President Trump, along with Senators Grassley, Graham and Lee for their support of these much-need reforms. It’s time all members of Congress bridge their partisan divides to bring people together and make our communities safer.”

Learn More:

America’s Law Enforcement Community Widely Backs the FIRST STEP Act

Voters, Especially Conservatives, Overwhelmingly Support FIRST STEP Act

WATCH: Sen. Lee Has a Message for FIRST STEP Act Skeptics

President Trump is Leading on Criminal Justice Reform; Senate Should Send Him a Bill

For further information or to set up an interview, please send an email to GBraud@afphq.org.

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) exists to recruit, educate, and mobilize citizens in support of the policies and goals of a free society at the local, state, and federal level, helping every American live their dream – especially the least fortunate. AFP has more than 3.2 million activists across the nation, a local infrastructure that includes 36 state chapters, and has received financial support from more than 100,000 Americans in all 50 states. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org

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