Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today cosponsored a bill to create a National Criminal Justice Commission. Introduced by Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), the National Criminal Justice Commission Act would establish a commission that conducts a comprehensive review and proposes recommendations to address the most pressing issues facing our nation’s criminal justice system.
“Since my time as Nevada’s Attorney General, I’ve seen firsthand how our criminal justice system has at times failed to ensure that all Americans are treated equally under the law. It’s been over 50 years since we seriously reviewed our criminal justice system, and it’s no wonder that many Americans’ faith in this institution has eroded. I’m proud to support the creation of this much-needed commission so we can improve how justice is delivered for all Americans.”
In addition to Senators Cortez Masto, Peters, Graham and Cornyn, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M) also cosponsored this legislation.
BACKGROUND:
The National Criminal Justice Commission Act would create a 14-member, bipartisan National Criminal Justice Commission charged with completing an 18-month, comprehensive review of the national criminal justice system, including federal, state, local and tribal criminal justice systems. The commission would issue recommendations for changes in oversight, policies, practices and laws to reduce crime, increase public safety and promote confidence in the criminal justice system. The Commission would be comprised of Presidential and Congressional appointees, including experts on law enforcement, criminal justice, victims’ rights, civil liberties and social services.
The transparent and bipartisan National Criminal Justice Commission would also provide a better understanding of community relationships with law enforcement and the administration of justice through our court system. The commission would identify effective policies to address a broad range of issues in the criminal justice system, including crime reduction, incarceration and prisoner reentry.
Senator Cortez Masto cosponsored this bill in the 115th Congress and has consistently supported efforts to improve the criminal justice system.
Full text of the bill is available here.
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