Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) voted against the Senate amendment to the First Step Act, which makes reforms to America’s criminal justice system but lacks necessary accountability measures.
Congressman Higgins issued the following statement:
“While the First Step Act has some positive reforms for our prison systems, I could not support the liberal changes made in the Senate’s version of the bill. Many of America’s top law enforcement organizations are opposed to this bill. It lacks the necessary protocols to ensure the effectiveness of early release programs. I am well on record as supporting reasonable, compassionate criminal justice reform. However, I will not support reckless criminal justice reform. There must be more thorough measures in place that ensure released felons are held accountable if they continue to commit criminal acts or endanger public safety. Further, restricting sentencing guidelines for repeat offender, heavy drug dealers as well as violent gun crimes is a bad idea. The Senate’s liberal revisions of the bill make it poisonous for America. Although the House version of the First Step Act was, overall, good legislation, wise and compassionate legislation… the Senate version has gone too far.”
