Tim Scott: “I think this special order points out how we are not focused on the problem. We need to focus on the problem of juvenile…”

“I think this special order points out how we are not focused on the problem. We need to focus on the problem of juvenile crime. The bill that we considered earlier today and will be considering again tomorrow misses the point. It spends all of its money after the fact dealing with juveniles, treating more juveniles as adults when we know that that does not work. We know that drug rehabilitation programs cost about 5 percent of sending somebody to jail, reduces recidivism 80 percent, so it is cheaper and more effective. Those are the kinds of effective programs that we should be focused on. I am delighted to participate with the gentleman from Michigan, the gentleman from Massachusetts and the others that were here so we can show that some of us are actually trying to reduce crime. Although it may not be as politically popular, we are focused on the issue. I am delighted to work with the gentleman on this. We need to get away from the soundbites and back on the point. The Families First agenda does that.”