Criminal Justice Commission Act Call-in Day Tuesday

Tuesday, NOVEMBER 16, 2010:
Call-in Day to Support SENATE PASSAGE OF THE NATIONAL

BACKGROUND INFO:

In 2009, Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) introduced the National Criminal Justice Commission Act, legislation that would create a bipartisan Commission to review and identify effective criminal justice policies and make recommendations for reform. The House of Representatives and Senate Judiciary Committee have reviewed and favorably passed the bill, which has 39 Senate cosponsors.  The bill is awaiting final passage by the Senate during these last few weeks of the Congressional session.  If the National Criminal Justice Commission Act does not pass this year, the legislation must be reintroduced and advance through both chambers of Congress again in 2011.  Please help us urge the Senate to prioritize and pass this important legislation as soon as possible!

ACTION NEEDED:

On Tuesday, please call the following Senators to ask them to prioritize and support Senate passage of the House-passed National Criminal Justice Commission Act, H.R. 5143/S. 714, as soon as possible:

* Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), 202-224-5556
* Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), 202-224-3135

MESSAGE:

I am calling to ask the Senator to prioritize and support immediate Senate passage of the House-passed National Criminal Justice Commission Act, H.R. 5143/S. 714, because:

* Having a transparent and bipartisan Commission review and identify effective criminal justice policies would increase public safety.
* The increase in incarceration over the past twenty years has stretched the system beyond its limits. These high costs to taxpayers are unsustainable, especially during these tough economic times.
* The proposed commission would conduct a comprehensive national review – not audits of individual state systems – and would issue recommendations – not mandates – for consideration. 

* (or tell your own story of why this is important to you)

If you have any questions, please contact Kara Gotsch at [email protected]. Thank you so much for your help!