Grassley says the criminal justice bill would be passed "overwhelmingly" if McConnell allowed him to vote

The Chairman of the Judiciary Committee of the Senate Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), said he was frustrated on Tuesday by the Senate majority leader. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) Has not yet approved the vote on a bipartite criminal justice bill backed by President Trump.

Grassley stated that he had reached the goal of support set by McConnell and that senators should stand for election. the legislation by the end of the year, arguing that Republicans could even delay the confirmation of some candidates to the judiciary to save time.

"All I can say is that if McConnell addresses this issue, she will pass by an overwhelming majority," Grassley said. at a "Washington Post Live" event.

The bill, supported by an unusual left-right coalition both inside Capitol Hill and among the country's advocacy networks, would reduce some mandatory minimum sentences and give judges more flexibility case, while making efforts to help rehabilitate the prisoners.

[Trump priority of criminal justice overhaul bitterly divides Senate Republicans]

Legislation is overwhelmingly supported by Democrats but divides Senate Republicans, opponents claiming that it is a crime for crime.

Grassley said Tuesday that McConnell had already told him he would allow the vote of the bill when he had to collect 65 to 70 votes in the House.

"We are here," Grassley told Robert Costa magazine reporter, noting that more than half of the 51 Senate Senators in the Senate support the bill. "Let's Say 28, 30"

The Senate minority whip Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), Who played alongside Grassley at the Post, said that support within the Democratic caucus, consisting of 49 members, was "solid". although he did not guarantee that every democrat would vote for the bill.

Grassley argued that waiting until next year would compromise the chances of adopting it.

Democrats, who take control of the House, would probably try to make the legislation more liberal, which would cost the GoP support in the Senate, he said.

"It seems to me that we have an opportunity to follow up," Grassley said. "This gives Republicans the opportunity to win a bipartisan victory for the President of the United States."

[Why isn’t Mitch McConnell bringing up criminal justice reform?]

Durbin agreed that senators should act now.

"I agree with Chuck 100%," he said. "You are seizing the moment."

The House passed a version of the bill that does not include a modification of the sentence, but the legislators of this country are convinced that it would be possible to quickly empty their chamber if the Senate doing.

Grassley argued that McConnell should give him some "consideration" for his efforts to achieve one of his priorities: the appointment of federal judges.

"I think I've done pretty well," said Grassley, referring to his role as chair of the Judiciary Committee, which holds confirmation hearings. "Then, maybe I should have some consideration for that."

Grassley argued that it would be reasonable to "make a compromise" by delaying the confirmation of some judges whose appointments are still pending to allow more time for the adoption of the criminal justice bill. . These candidacies may be considered next year, when the Republican majority in the Senate will be larger, he said.

Grassley also stated that the passage of the law could be made faster than McConnell expected.

"He told us 10 days," Grassley said. "It could be done in three or four days, very easily."

Seung Min Kim contributed to this report.