FreedomWorks Urges Senate Majority Leader McConnell to Pass the FIRST STEP Act with Sentencing Reform

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A recent poll commissioned by the Justice Action Network in the Commonwealth of Kentucky indicates widespread support for prison and sentencing reform. FreedomWorks partners with the Justice Action Network to support legislation to reform the criminal justice system, give former offenders a second chance, and promote public safety.

Seventy percent of those polled believe that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) should bring President Trump’s prison and sentencing reform bill to a vote on the U.S. Senate floor.

This bill, the FIRST STEP Act, was passed by the House of Representatives earlier this year and currently awaits action in the Senate.

Adam Brandon, FreedomWorks President, commented:

“We are pleased, but not surprised, to see the massive support for criminal justice reform out of Kentucky. Across all party lines, Kentuckians understand that the common sense measures being considered by the Congress are just that — common sense. This theme can be found across the country as well.”

“Our hope is that Leader McConnell realizes that this is a winning issue in all senses of the word and brings the FIRST STEP Act package to the floor for consideration by the full Senate. The whip count he has promised is encouraging, and we expect to see — as in this Kentucky poll — the type of overwhelming support among senators that is found time and time again for smart on crime policies across the country.”

“Enacting the FIRST STEP Act with modest sentencing reforms would not only deliver a win for the Trump administration, it would prove to the country that the Republican Party can effectively work across the aisle even in politically contentious times for the betterment of all Americans.”

The poll of 500 registered voters was conducted by Public Opinion Strategies from August 21 to August 23, 2018.