Contact:
Rabiah Burks, 202-822-6700
rburks@famm.org

FAMM to Sen. McConnell: Keep Your Word

WASHINGTON – FAMM President Kevin Ring released the following statement today:

Sen. McConnell should keep his word.

On October 10, Sen. Mitch McConnell told reporters, “Criminal justice has been much discussed. What we’ll do after the election is take a whip count and if there are more than 60 senators who want to go forward on that bill, we’ll find time to address it.” The election is over and now is the time to act.

Sen. McConnell should keep his word.

President Trump, the Fraternal Order of Police, and other law enforcement organizations have endorsed the modest reform compromise. FAMM and dozens of advocacy groups from across the ideological spectrum also support the bill. We are confident that more than 60 senators support this bipartisan bill.

Sen. McConnell should keep his word.

On behalf of tens of thousands of families who are suffering because of our counterproductive sentencing and prison policies, I urge Sen. McConnell to bring the First Step Act to the Senate floor for a vote. It’s the right thing to do. The bill will keep families together and make our communities stronger and safer.

For nearly 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’s focus on ending a one-size-fits-all punishment structure has led to reforms to sentencing and prison policies in 6 states and is paving the way to programs that support rehabilitation for the 94% of all prisoners who 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 safeguard taxpayer dollars and keep our communities safe. Founded in 1991, FAMM is helping transform America’s criminal justice system by uniting the voices of impacted families and individuals and elevating the issues all across the country.

FAMM.org | www.facebook.com/FAMMFoundation | @FAMMFoundation

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