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WASHINGTON (AP) – The Senate on Tuesday passed a major criminal justice bill that fears that the country's war on drugs has led to the imprisonment of too many people. Americans for non-violent crimes without adequately preparing them for their return to society.
The adoption of the bill by the Senate by a vote of 87 votes to 12 marks the culmination of several years of negotiations and gives President Donald Trump a political victory, with the result hailed by many groups defending Conservative and Liberal rights. The House is expected to pass the bill this week and send it to the president's office for it to sign.
The bill gives judges more latitude to convict drug-addicted offenders and strengthens efforts to rehabilitate prisoners. It also reduces the life sentence for some drug offenders sentenced to three convictions or "three strikes" to 25 years. Another provision would allow approximately 2,600 federal prisoners convicted of cocaine crack before August 2010 to seek a reduction in sentence.
"America is the largest country in the world and my job is to fight for ALL citizens, even those who Trump tweeted moments after the vote.
" This will ensure the safety of our communities and give a second chance to those who win. In addition to everything, billions of dollars will be saved. I can not wait to sign this law! Trump added.
The vote also pleased the Democrats. <br /> <br /> Sen. Cory Booker, DN.J., said the country's prisons were filled with Americans struggling with mental health problems and dependence, and extremely poor. "He said that the country's criminal justice system" fed some communities and not others, "and said the bill represented a step toward" healing "these
"Make no mistake, this bill, which is a small step, will affect thousands and thousands of lives," said Booker.
When the bill seemed to stand still. In the past few weeks, Senator Charles Grassley, chairman of the Republican Committee of the Judiciary Committee of the Senate, has begged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for a vote, under Trump's leadership. McConnell finally accepts and votes for the project of lo i.
"The First Step Act draws lessons from history and states – our democracy labs – to reduce crime, save taxpayers' money and build trust and confidence. equity in our criminal justice system, "said Grassley.
The Senate on Tuesday rejected three amendments from Republican Senators Tom Cotton of Arkansas and John Kennedy of Louisiana, claiming that the bill jeopardized public safety. Supporters worried that the adoption of one of the amendments would have sunk the bill.
An amendment would have prevented more prisoners from participating in education and training programs to obtain credits. These credits can then be used to obtain early release in a halfway house or home detention to complete their sentence. Another amendment would have required that victims be informed before a prisoner gets his early release. The third would have required the Federal Bureau of Prisons to monitor and report the rate of new arrests for each prisoner released prematurely.
"Although the bill has improved slightly compared to previous versions, I am disappointed with my amendments to exclude children: early release and victims' rights abusers do not have been adopted, "said Cotton. "I am also concerned that reducing the penalties for drug traffickers and violent criminals is a threat to public safety."
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Said the bill already eliminates some 60 different crimes that render ineligible for early release in a halfway house or house arrest. He said that Cotton 's amendment was too big and would prevent at least 30,000 prisoners from participating.
Durbin stated that the Federal Bureau of Prisons also gave victims the opportunity to be informed of a prisoner's status change, but that is a choice. He said that about 10% of victims choose not to be warned because of the trauma associated with the new crime tour. Meanwhile, Cotton and Kennedy 's amendment would make it a requirement.
"Supporting the Cotton Amendment, is essentially telling these victims:" We will impose this information on you if it serves the best interests of your family. whether you like it or not, "says Durbin." This does not respect the victims of crime. "
The bill would only affect federal prisoners, who represent less than 10% of the population
A series of liberal and conservative advocacy groups came together to support the bill, for example, the Americans for Prosperity group, supported by the Koch brothers, applauded the senators for doing so. Pass "Politics Above Politics." The American Civil Liberties Union said the bill was "far from perfect. But we are at the heart of a massive crisis of incarceration and the time to act has come. "
Law enforcement groups were further divided. supported by the Brotherhood Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, but opposed by the National Sheriff's Association. The union representing federal prison guards also supported
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