Press Release

For Media Inquiries:
Tripp Laino, 202-999-4273
tlaino@famm.org

Coalition of law enforcement, justice reform, and civil rights organizations urge Congress to pass the EQUAL Act

WASHINGTON – Today, FAMM along with 20 additional organizations sent a letter to Sens. Dick Durbin and Lindsey Graham (the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, respectively) urging them to schedule a markup for the EQUAL Act as soon as it is reintroduced this Congress.

The bill, which would eliminate the disparity between crack and cocaine sentencing, overwhelmingly passed in the House last year, but died in the Senate.

“The arguments for passing the EQUAL Act are clear – crack and powder cocaine are the same drug, and should be punished equally,” FAMM President Kevin Ring said. “The EQUAL Act has broad, bipartisan support in the House and Senate, and we do not want the new Congress to waste any time. So many families are suffering needlessly under this disparity.”

The joint letter was signed by ALEC Action, Americans for Tax Reform, Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, the Buckeye Institute, Dream.org, Drug Policy Alliance, Due Process Institute, FAMM, the Justice Action Network, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition, the National District Attorneys Association, the National Urban League, Parole Illinois, Prison Fellowship, R Street Institute, Restore Justice, Right On Crime and The Sentencing Project.

For more than three decades, FAMM has united the voices of affected families, the formerly incarcerated, and a range of stakeholders and advocates to fight for a more fair and effective justice system. FAMM has led the fight to reform extreme mandatory sentencing laws and to promote rehabilitation and dignity for all people in prison, 94 percent of whom will return to our neighborhoods one day.

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FAMM is a national nonpartisan advocacy organization that promotes fair and effective criminal justice policies that safely reduce incarceration, save taxpayer dollars, and keep families together. Founded in 1991, FAMM has secured bold sentencing and prison reform across the country while elevating the voices of directly impacted individuals and families.