President Trump officially signed into law the ‘First Step’ Criminal Justice Reform Bill Friday afternoon; issuing sweeping changes to the nation’s sentencing guidelines and minimum jail-time requirements for specific federal crimes and first-time offenders.
Trump held a signing ceremony at the White House Friday; flanked by Jared Kushner and others who helped craft the bipartisan deal.
Today, it was my great honor to sign the #FirstStepAct – a monumental bi-partisan win for the American people! https://t.co/isy6Bt38iK
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 21, 2018
“Things are happening that haven’t happened in a very long time… Criminal Justice Reform. Everybody said it couldn’t be done. They said the conservatives won’t approve it, they said the liberals won’t approve it,” said the president.
“It’s been many, many years. Numerous decades and nobody came close. I want to thank all of the people standing behind me… This was incredible bipartisan support. Everybody worked so hard on this,” he added.
Watch President Trump’s comments above.
BREAKING: House Follows Senate, Passes Criminal Reform Bill, Heads to President’s Desk
The House of Representatives followed the Senate Thursday and voted overwhelmingly to pass the President’s touted ‘Criminal Reform Bill,’ sending the legislation to Trump’s desk to be signed into law.
“The House approved the bill 358-36, sending it to Trump’s desk for his signature. The legislation was approved earlier this week by the Senate, 87-12. The passage marks a win for Trump as well as his senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who advocated for the bill in the face of conservative resistance,” writes Fox News.
The new legislation -dubbed the First Step Act- would allow federal judges more flexibility in sentencing instead of rigid, minimum penalties. It also seeks to reduce prison sentences for specific drug offenders with “three strike” convictions.
“It also incentivizes prisoners to participate in programs designed to reduce the risk of recidivism, with the reward being an earlier release to either home confinement or a halfway house to complete their sentence,” adds the article.
Read the full story here.
JUSTICE REFORMED: Senate Passes Bipartisan ‘Criminal Reform Bill’ By Huge Margin
The Senate voted late Tuesday evening to pass President Trump’s ‘Justice Reform Bill’ by a huge bipartisan margin; posting a major legislative victory for the White House weeks before the Democrats retake control of the House of Representatives.
“Lawmakers approved the bill 87-12, after defeating three amendments pushed by conservative Republicans. The measure now goes to the House, where it is expected to be approved quickly. Its passage would mark a significant win for Trump and his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, who worked the halls of Congress for months in an effort to forge a compromise,” writes Fox News.
“This is not for hardened criminals … it’s people who really want to re-enter into society,” said senior Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway.
The President hailed the legislation on social media within minutes of its passing, writing “America is the greatest Country in the world and my job is to fight for ALL citizens, even those who have made mistakes. Congratulations to the Senate on the bi-partisan passing of a historic Criminal Justice Reform Bill.”
….This will keep our communities safer, and provide hope and a second chance, to those who earn it. In addition to everything else, billions of dollars will be saved. I look forward to signing this into law!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 19, 2018
Read the full story at Fox News.
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