Former President Bill Clinton probably had trouble sleeping last night, because he knew President Donald Trump was a step closer to undoing one of his biggest mistakes — and it could cost the Democratic Party big time among African-American voters.
Under guidance from Trump, the Senate passed a sweeping criminal justice reform bill Tuesday that undid much of the controversial 1994 crime bill, a critical part of Clinton’s legacy.
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Critics say the bill caused the unjust imprisonment of too many Americans for non-violent crimes, and then failed to prepare them for their return to society. Even Clinton himself has admitted in recent years that his bill made problems worse and that he regretted signing it.
Senate passage of the bill by a vote of 87-12 culminates two years of negotiations and gives Trump a signature policy victory, with the outcome hailed by both conservative and liberal advocacy groups. The House is expected to pass the bill later this week, sending it to the president’s desk for his signature.
Clinton has been completely silent on the Trump-led reform bill.
The bill gives judges more individual say when sentencing some drug offenders and also boosts prisoner rehabilitation efforts. It also reduces the life sentence for some drug offenders with three convictions, or “three strikes,” to 25 years. It also saves taxpayers millions in reduced government spending.
Another provision would allow about 2,600 federal prisoners sentenced for crack cocaine offenses before August 2010 the opportunity to petition for a reduced penalty. Critics, including Trump supporters like rapper Kayne West, have long complained that the punishments Clinton put into law unfairly targeted the black community.
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“America is the greatest Country in the world and my job is to fight for ALL citizens, even those who have made mistakes,” Trump tweeted moments after the vote.
“This will keep our communities safer, and provide hope and a second chance, to those who earn it. In addition to everything else, billions of dollars will be saved. I look forward to signing this into law!” Trump added.
When the bill appeared to have stalled in recent weeks, Sen. Charles Grassley, the Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, pleaded with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring it up for a vote.
With Trump’s backing, McConnell eventually agreed and voted for the bill as well.
“The First Step Act takes lessons from history and from states — our laboratories of democracy — to reduce crime, save taxpayer dollars and strengthen faith and fairness in our criminal justice system,” Grassley said.
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Both liberal and conservative advocacy groups rallied in support of the bill. For example, conservative group Americans for Prosperity applauded senators for putting “policy ahead of politics.” The American Civil Liberties Union said the bill was “by no means perfect. But we are in the midst of a mass incarceration crisis, and the time to act is now.”
Law enforcement groups were more split. It was backed by the Fraternal Order of Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police but opposed by the National Sheriff’s Association. The union representing federal prison guards also joined in supporting the measure.
The Associated Press contributed to this article