Political Quotes

“Later this afternoon, the Senate will likely vote on a package of amendments and then final passage of bipartisan criminal justice reform. I wholeheartedly support the bill and intend to vote yes on final passage later today. Among other important changes, the legislation will give judges more discretion in sentencing for low-level, nonviolent drug offenders who cooperate with the government. It will provide more support and new incentives for prisoners to participate in programming or other productive activities that will better prepare them to return to society as productive individuals, and it will effectively end the practice of juvenile solitary confinement and the cruel shackling of pregnant prisoners. Despite what some of the opponents of the bill claim, the legislation is certainly not a ``get out of jail free'' card for violent criminals or sex offenders. That is simply not true. Rather, the bill makes smart changes to our criminal justice system in ways that make it more fair, more humane, and more just. Individuals serving time in prison for these low-level prison crimes--nonviolent drug offenders--will eventually be released. It is in the interest of both currently incarcerated individuals and the communities to which they will eventually return to ensure we are doing everything in our power to set them up for successful reintegration into our society so that they don't commit another crime. It is very important and the right thing to do. We need workers.…”