Sheila Jackson Lee: “Beginning in 2007 I introduced legislation that would have ended the disparity, because we had learned that most of the…”

“Beginning in 2007 I introduced legislation that would have ended the disparity, because we had learned that most of the assumptions on which the 100-to-1 ratio was based turned out to be unfounded. Those unfounded assumptions damaged communities of color for generations. A higher percentage of Black Americans are convicted of crack cocaine versus powder cocaine offenses and receive significantly longer sentences for comparable offenses, and the percentage of individuals serving unreasonably long sentences is because that disparity exists. Let me also indicate, I was happy to introduce an amendment to allow the courts to grant sentence reductions absent the defendant's presence as required today. This will eliminate the court's logjam, and some of these individuals are, in fact, incarcerated still. Individuals like William Underwood, Matthew Charles, and Cynthia Shank all testified before the House and Senate Judiciary Committees about the devastating impact that sentencing disparity and mandatory minimum laws have had on them, their families, and countless others. I can assure you, Mr. Speaker, this legislation is long overdue. I am excited that the introduction of my legislation now today will become reality, and I am excited to be a partner and working with Chairman Jeffries on this important legislation. Finally, to conclude, I want just to say that race has been a factor, and we are glad that we are moving beyond that. We must pass the EQUAL Act.”