Grassley, Durbin Statement on New Law Enforcement Support for Criminal Justice Reform
Press Release
Senate Judiciary
May 11, 2016

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Support for the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act continues to grow.  Today, during National Police Week, the bill gained endorsements from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the Major County Sheriffs’ Association (MCSA), two of the most influential law enforcement organizations in the country.  IACP is the world’s largest organization of law enforcement executives and MCSA is an association of elected sheriffs whose membership represents over 100 million Americans. These organizations recognize that criminal justice reform is needed to strengthen law enforcement efforts.  The bill has received support from coalitions representing more than 400 organizations across the country.

The bill’s original cosponsors include Senators Chuck Grassley, Dick Durbin, John Cornyn, Patrick Leahy, Mike Lee and Sheldon Whitehouse.

Lead sponsors Grassley and Durbin released the following comment:

“Law enforcement, civil rights organizations, corporate leaders, and faith groups have all come together to support one of the most historic criminal justice reforms in a generation.  The broad range of support this bill has received shows the thoughtful approach that was taken in crafting this legislation.  Support for the bill continues to grow as we look forward to possible consideration by the full Senate.”

In addition to today’s new endorsements, the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act is already supported by the U.S. Department of Justice; the Major Cities Chiefs Association; the National District Attorneys’ Association and the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, the two largest organizations of prosecutors in the country; former Bush Administration Attorney General Michael Mukasey and Richard Thornburgh, former Attorney General of the United States for Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush; Council of Prison Locals, which represents the more than 28,000 federal prison guards; and dozens of former federal prosecutors and judges, including Richard Rossman, Executive Director of the National Association of Former United States Attorneys.

Get the newsletter