WASHINGTON, D.C. — Right On Crime, a conservative criminal justice campaign of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, submitted formal recommendations to the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s amendment cycle ending May 1, 2026. In its comments, Right On Crime called for measured, evidence-based reforms that prioritize public safety, reduce recidivism, and hold offenders accountable—without relying on outdated or overly punitive sentencing practices.

“Conservatives know that justice must be both tough and smart,” said Brett Tolman, Executive Director of Right On Crime. “We can protect our communities while upholding the principles of proportional punishment, judicial discretion, and limited government.”

“As conservatives, we believe in accountability,” said Rachel Wright, National Policy Director of Right On Crime. “Our laws must evolve with technology and changing crime trends—but without abandoning the values of rehabilitation and individual liberty. All Americans deserve a system that is effective, not just reactive.”

Highlights from the submitted comments include:

1. Drug Sentencing Reform Must Reflect Today’s Realities

Right On Crime urges the Commission to revisit the outdated approach of calculating sentences based on drug quantity and purity alone. As synthetic drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine dominate the market, harsh mandatory minimums based solely on weight or lab purity are leading to inconsistent—and sometimes unjust—outcomes.

  • Methamphetaminepurity rules should be scrapped in favor of a more uniform “mixture” standard, eliminating arbitrary disparities.
  • Fentanyl-related substances should be addressed with intention: judges need flexibility to consider a defendant’s role and intent, especially as science evolves.
  • The reliance on estimated quantities and financial records to calculate drug weight has no place in a system that values due process.

2. New Leadership at Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and Sentencing Policy

The Commission was encouraged to examine whether the federal BOP is effectively carrying out the goals of sentencing—rehabilitation, public safety, and reentry. And Right On Crime recommended certain policies that could be prioritized by the BOP, such as increasing home confinement, limiting the use of solitary confinement, and implementing the landmark First Step Act . To that end, the Bop can build upon its recent announcement of the First Step Act Task Force which will fully implement reforms with increased oversight and transparency.

3. Artificial Intelligence (AI): A New Threat, But Not a New Crime

Right On Crime cautioned against creating sweeping sentencing enhancements simply because AI is used in a crime. The crime remains the crime—whether it’s fraud, identity theft, or sextortion. While some AI-enabled acts may warrant longer sentences in extreme cases, the group urged the Commission to avoid blanket enhancements that overwhelm the courts and over-punish offenders.

Smart Sentencing, Not Political Grandstanding

As conservatives, Right On Crime believes in results-driven policy—not rhetoric. These recommendations are rooted in data, accountability, and a commitment to public safety. They reflect a justice system that should be as precise and principled as it is strong.

Right On Crime looks forward to continued work with the U.S. Sentencing Commission and other public safety leaders to ensure our federal justice system remains fair, effective, and rooted in our American values.

Right On Crime is a national campaign of the Texas Public Policy Foundation supporting conservative solutions for fewer victims, less crime, and safer communities. The movement was born in Texas in 2007, established as a national campaign in 2010, and leads the way in implementing conservative criminal justice initiatives across the nation that are just, effective, and fiscally responsible. For more information, visit our website at www.RightOnCrime.com.