FreedomWorks Supports Adding Sentencing Reforms to Prison Reform Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to reports that President Donald Trump is open to adding sentencing reforms to the prison reform bill, the FIRST STEP Act, Jason Pye, FreedomWorks Vice President of Legislative Affairs, commented:

“We’re excited to see that President Trump is open to adding some much needed sentencing reforms to the FIRST STEP Act in an effort to move it out of the Senate. Along with Sen. Lee and Sen. Scott, Chairman Grassley has emerged as a leader on sentencing reform, and he’s a big reason we have come this far.”

“We have long believed that sentencing reform is vital to the overall criminal justice reform effort. We look forward to learning the details of the elements of sentencing reform that could be added to the FIRST STEP Act in the days ahead.”

“As has been proven time and time again in traditionally Republican states like Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina, common sense criminal justice reform — including both prison reform and sentencing reform — works to reduce recidivism, enhance public safety, and save taxpayer dollars. President Trump and the White House have fully realized this.”

“It is imperative that Republicans in the Senate approach the proposed sentencing reforms with an open mind, in order to support this key priority of the president’s domestic legislative agenda and see that common sense criminal justice reform can be signed into law.”