First Step Act Would Bring About Biggest Federal Criminal Justice Reform in Decades

Washington, DC — Today, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced that he will bring the First Step Act to the Senate Floor for a long-awaited vote in the coming days. Right on Crime Signatories, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and former United States Senator Jim DeMint, issued the following statements:

“I commend Leader McConnell for making the First Step Act a priority before the end of the 115th Congress. President Trump and his administration have led the way on this common-sense legislation that will reduce recidivism, improve public safety, and provide a second chance to those who have paid their debt to society and are willing to do what is necessary to live law-abiding, productive lives,” said Right on Crime Signatory and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.

 

“The historic achievements started by the reforms in conservative states like Texas and Georgia are the foundation for this ‘first step’ at the federal level. The bill overwhelmingly passed the House in May and after a great many people – led by the White House – worked to address concerns Senators had, the House and Senate are now working together in a unique way to ensure that the bill passes this year, so that Americans can benefit from reforms that prioritize public safety, save taxpayer dollars, and offer incarcerated people the tools they need to become productive members of society,” said Right on Crime Signatory and former United States Senator Jim DeMint.

Right on Crime is a national campaign of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, in partnership with the American Conservative Union Foundation and Prison Fellowship that supports conservative solutions for reducing crime, restoring victims, reforming offenders, and lowering taxpayer costs.

The movement was born in Texas in 2005, and in recent years, dozens of states such as Georgia, Ohio, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, have led the way in implementing conservative criminal justice reforms.

Right on Crime has the support and works to mobilize the voices of more than 90 prominent conservative leaders who have endorsed the principles of conservative criminal justice reform, including former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Concerned Women for America President Penny Nance, former U.S. Senator Jim DeMint, former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, and Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist.

To obtain a copy of the letter or to schedule an interview with Right on Crime spokespersons, please contact Kevin McVicker at (703) 739-5920 or [email protected]