The Senate passed a criminal justice reform bill called the First Step Act with wide bipartisan support in a 87-12 vote on Tuesday night. But those opposing the bill, including prominent Republican senators like Tom Cotton (R-AK), Ben Sasse (R-NE), and Marco Rubio (R-FL), are warning that the legislation would allow child molesters and violent felons eligibility for early release, threatening public safety.
“While the bill has marginally improved from earlier versions, I’m disappointed my amendments to exclude child molesters from early release and to protect victims’ rights were not adopted,” Sen. Cotton said in a statement released Wednesday. “I also remain concerned that reducing sentences for drug traffickers and violent felons is a threat to public safety.”
In an op-ed published on Monday at National Review, Cotton similarly warned fellow conservatives. “A number of serious felonies, including violent crimes, are still eligible for early release in the version of the bill the Senate will vote on in a matter of days. In short, the First Step Act [criminal justice overhaul] flunks their basic test to protect public safety,” he wrote.
Sen. Sasse (R-NE) echoed such concerns, too, joining Cotton in a “no” vote on Tuesday. As the Lincoln Journal-Star reported, Sasse said he opposes the bill because “it will release thousands of violent felons very early.” – READ MORE