“President Barack Obama recently held a private meeting on criminal justice reform with two key Republicans — a sign that efforts to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the bill are likely intensifying.
“Obama met with Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), who chair the judiciary committees in each chamber. While reducing some severe sentencing for nonviolent offenders has bipartisan support in both chambers, Goodlatte and Grassley have major differences over a policy known as “mens rea” reform, which has been promoted by billionaire Republican donors Charles and David Koch.”