New Sentencing Reform Video Launched Ahead of House Judiciary Committee Markup
Statement
The House Judiciary Committee released a new video on the bipartisan Sentencing Reform Act of 2015 (H.R. 3713). The Committee is set to mark up this and other criminal justice reform legislation today beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Below is a transcript of the video.
Chairman Goodlatte: Why should Congress enact responsible sentencing reform?
Current federal sentencing requirements are unnecessarily harsh and contribute to prison overcrowding and a ballooning federal prison budget.
Congressman Bishop: For example, current law imposes a mandatory life sentence for a third federal drug offense.
It is difficult to justify spending taxpayer dollars to keep elderly -- who are unlikely to commit new crimes -- in prison when those taxpayer dollars could be used to go after violent and other criminals threatening our communities.
Congressman Labrador: Additionally, the Sentencing Commission -- which is comprised of unelected officials -- has unilaterally changed federal sentencing guidelines.
As a result, thousands of federal inmates, including those with violent criminal histories, are set to be released.
We need to reform the system, but violent criminals should not get out of prison early.
Chairman Goodlatte: What does the bipartisan Sentencing Reform Act do?
The bill makes the criminal justice system more fair, efficient, and fiscally responsible.
Congressman Bishop: It reduces certain mandatory minimums for drug offenses, including the three-strike mandatory life sentence to 25 years.
Congressman Labrador: At the same time, the bill contains important limitations on retroactivity to ensure that serious violent criminals serve the full time for their crimes in federal prison and do not get out of prison early.
Congressman Bishop: Collectively, these reforms make common sense changes to enhance public safety and make the criminal justice system work better for everyone.
Chairman Goodlatte: To learn more about the House Judiciary Committee's work on criminal justice reform, visit judiciary.house.gov.
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