Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the MORE Act, legislation that takes an important step in rectifying some of the harm caused by the failed war on drugs. The enforcement of marijuana laws has been a major driver of mass incarceration in the United States. Hundreds of thousands of people are arrested each year for marijuana-related charges, very often just possession. This has, in turn, led to our Federal prison system operating at 103 percent of capacity, and too many of these offenders are serving time for nonviolent drug-related crimes. A drug-related conviction, even for possession, can be devastating for the rest of a person's life, making it difficult or even impossible to vote, get a job, be approved for a loan, or even qualify for a government program. As we know, these consequences have had massively disproportionate impact on communities of color, as Chairman Jeffries just mentioned. This current system, frankly, doesn't work. It doesn't make any sense--not for community safety, not for the functioning of an effective prison system, and not for successful rehabilitation. By removing marijuana from the Federal controlled substances list, allowing for the expungement of marijuana offenses, and providing support to communities most impacted by the failed war on drugs, the MORE Act is a long overdue step in restoring justice and reversing the harms caused by the war on drugs. Mr.…”