FreedomWorks and Conservative Advocacy Groups Hold Press Conference in Support of the First Step Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – FreedomWorks, along with nearly two dozen aligned conservative advocacy groups held a press conference today in the Capitol Visitor Center support of the First Step Act. Senate Majority Leader McConnell (R- Ky.) has promised to bring the bill to the floor for a vote by the end of December, 2018.

Adam Brandon, FreedomWorks President, stated the following:

“The First Step Act makes modest and long-overdue changes to sentencing laws and brings the reforms from states like Texas and Georgia to the federal justice system.

“FreedomWorks grassroots activists have been critical in driving more than half-a-million actions to their elected officials urging them to pass the First Step Act. We would not be standing here today at this press conference if it wasn’t for their support.

“The First Step Act will help reduce crime and strengthen the economy. Former convicts are at a much higher risk of unemployment. This is often due to the fact that many are released from prison without any applicable job skills. Under the First Step Act, prisoners will have access to valuable job skill training programs while incarcerated.

“Prisoners who learn a trade are far more likely to find employment after their release. Steady jobs are crucial for prisoners to go and rejoin society as reformed, productive citizens.

“More workers in the labor force will help grow the United States’ economy. Trade jobs in particular are in high demand. Teaching job skills to prisoners will help fill this employment gap and grow the economy.

“If Senate Republicans are serious about advancing President Trump’s pro-growth economic agenda, they will pass this common sense bill.”