Yesterday a bipartisan group of Senators unveiled the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015, which, if enacted, would relieve to some degree some of the unconscionable and foolish aspects and penalties of federal criminal law.
While the bill by no means reaches as far as one would hope, it is a step and a good step. The Senators who have sponsored deserve mention and credit: Charles Grassley of Iowa, Richard Durbin of Illinois, John Cornyn of Texas, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Mike Lee of Utah, Charles Schumer of New York, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Cory Booker of New Jersey.
There is substantial news coverage, although it will be largely overlooked due to the tragic news coming from Oregon: in The Atlantic, Can the Senate Reform Criminal Justice?; Politico, Senate Strikes Compromise on Criminal Justice Reform; the New York Times, Sentencing Overhaul Proposed With Bipartisan Backing and Families Against Mandatory Minimums, FAMM Praises Senate Sentencing Reform Compromise, Calls Mandatory Sentencing Reforms Long Overdue.
There is a slightly different and better bill in the House. Hopefully, Congress will get passed something truly meaningful and helpful by the end of the year.
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