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MUNUC 31: The Senate Senator Biographies

Richard Shelby (, R) Shelby is the Senior Senator for Alabama, first elected into the Senate in 1986. Prior to his senatorial career, Shelby served in the House of Representatives for Alabama’s 7th district. Shelby has often assumed positions of leadership within the Senate, including Chair of the Intelligence Committee in 2001, Chair of the Banking Committee in 2015, Chair of the Rules Committee in 2017 and presently as Chair of the Appropriations Committee since April 2018.1 The senator has consistently voted in a hard on drugs and hard on crime manner, and has sponsored legislation to enhance and continue funding measures to locate unregistered sex offenders and adjacent criminals for FBI databases such as the Adam Walsh Child Protection Safety Act among others.2

Doug Jones (Alabama, D) is the junior senator from Alabama and began serving in January 2018 after winning a special election in 2018, defeating and replacing .3 Prior to being elected senator, Jones served as the U.S. Attorney for Northern Alabama from 1997 to 2001 and later held a private law practice.4 As Senator Jones has been in the Senate for a very short time, there is minimal past legislation to refer to to understand his positions. However, having just run for the Senate seat, he has made his stances on criminal justice clear. Jones writes “While I sought harsh punishments for violent offenders as U.S. attorney, not all cases require severe sentences. My hands were tied by mandatory minimum sentences.”5 Jones has focused on strongly supporting sentencing reform and reducing sentencing disparities.6 It remains unclear where he stands on reentry and police brutality; while his party affiliation might suggest strong support, his perspective and experience as a U.S. attorney may temper that.

Lisa Murkowski (, R) is the Senior Senator for Alaska, first joining the Senate via appointment in 2002 by her father and then Alaskan Governor, Frank Murkowski. Lisa Murkowski won the election to continue her senatorial seat first in 2004. Before appointment, Murkowski was a senator in the Alaska State Senate, and had previously been an attorney in Anchorage. She is

1 “.” Wikipedia, September 18, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Shelby 2 “Richard Shelby.” On The Issues, September 18th, 2018. http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Richard_Shelby.htm 3 “Doug Jones (Politician).” Wikipedia, September 12, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Doug_Jones_(politician)&oldid=859270117. 4 Ibid. 5 “Priorities.” Doug Jones for U.S. Senate (blog). Accessed September 13, 2018. https://dougjones.com/priorities/. 6 Ibid. deemed a very moderate Republican, and has often worked across the aisle on such issues as reproductive rights and Native American rights.7 Murkowski has been noted as in favor of moderate reform to police and drug issues, but has opposed more radical liberal legislation on the matter. Speaking on marijuana legalization in 2014, she noted “marijuana--like tobacco and alcohol--is big business. Like alcohol and tobacco, the costs of marijuana to public health, public safety, our youth and lost productivity are similarly high. Therefore [legalization] is less about freedom than it is about profit at the expense of public health”; however in 2018 she has been a cosponsor on the STATES Act (S.3032), which develops guidelines and protections for marijuana legalization bills that have been ratified by state legislation or referendum, indicating an evolving viewpoint on criminal reform. Murkowski is considered an important swing vote in many Senate debates, and is often a deciding vote in recent legislative history.8

Dan Sullivan (Alaska, R) Dan Sullivan is the junior senator from Alaska and began serving in 2015.9 Prior to serving in the Senate, Sullivan was in involved in state and national government, working in the State Department under President George W. Bush, acting as Attorney General for less than a year after being appointed by Governor , serving as the head of Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources, and serving in the Marines. Senator Sullivan joined a bipartisan group of senators to co-sponsor the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015, which aims to adjust sentencing rules and give judges more discretion.10 He has acknowledged that “incarceration has cost taxpayers billions of dollars and yet recidivism rates remain unacceptably high.”11 He is a co-sponsor on the STATES Act, which creates an exemption under the Controlled Substances Act for states that have reformed their marijuana policy, preventing unnecessary federal intervention.12 Sullivan is also a strong supporter of police forces, having cosponsored bills that increase criminal penalties for assaulting officers and declaring a ‘national police week.”13 That being said, Sullivan has expressed capacity to work in a bipartisan manner, and his brief experience as Attorney General gives him a strong understanding of the issues.

7 “Lisa Murkowski.” Wikipedia, September 18, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Murkowski 8 “Lisa Murkowski” On The Issues, September 18, 2018. 9 “Dan Sullivan (U.S. Senator).” Wikipedia, September 17, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dan_Sullivan_(U.S._senator)&oldid=860037144. 10 “Sullivan Cosponsors Legislation to Reform Criminal Justice System | U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska.” Accessed September 18, 2018. https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-cosponsors- legislation-to-reform-criminal-justice-system. 11 Ibid. 12 Warren, Elizabeth. “S.3032 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): STATES Act.” Legislation, June 7, 2018. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/3032. 13 Sullivan, Dan. “Dan Sullivan.” Legislation. Accessed September 18, 2018. https://www.congress.gov/member/dan-sullivan/S001198.

Kyrsten Sinema (, D) Senator Sinema is the junior Senator from Arizona, a position she has held since winning the seat in the 2018 midterm elections.14 She previously served in the US House of Representatives, as well as both chambers of the Arizona legislature.15 Sinema is very centrist, and votes about half the time with Republicans.16 While she hasn’t taken many stances on criminal justice issues, she has supported legislation that would make it easier for prosecutors to seek the death penalty for crimes against officers of the law,17 and has been ranked as being tough on crime by the National Associations for Police Organizations.18 That being said, she is a democrat, and could be pressured to vote with the party.

Martha McSally (Arizona, R) Martha McSally is the junior Senator of Arizona, having just been appointed after announced his retirement.19 She previously served in the House of Representatives, and was a combatant in the Air Force earlier on in her life.20 McSally has not taken many positions on criminal justice reform, but did sponsor and pass her own bill in the House addressing the lack of mental health resources in communities, especially for offenders attempting to reenter society.21 She votes conservatively, but also shows potential to work in a bipartisan fashion.

14 “.” Wikipedia, November 26, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kyrsten_Sinema&oldid=870765195. 15 Ibid. 16 Farzan, Antonia Noori. “Kyrsten Sinema, Allegedly a Democrat, Still Votes With Trump Half the Time.” Phoenix New Times, September 28, 2017. https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/kyrsten-sinemas-voting-record- immigration-refugees-health-care-ada-9682545. 17 Ibid. 18 “Kyrsten Sinema on Crime.” Accessed November 27, 2018. http://www.ontheissues.org/House/Kyrsten_Sinema_Crime.htm. 19 “Martha McSally.” Wikipedia, December 20, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Martha_McSally&oldid=874654304. 20 Ibid. 21 “House Passes U.S. Rep. McSally Mental Health Legislation.” Congresswoman Martha McSally, November 30, 2016. https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-us-rep-mcsally-mental-health-legislation. (, R) John is the Senior Senator for Arkansas, and was elected to the Senate in 2010. He initially joined the House in a special election after ’s 2002 appointment to the DEA. Boozman is a optometrist by trade, and served on a Public School Board before his first congressional term. His elder brother, Fay Boozman, was also an Arkansas State Senator.22 While Boozman’s senatorial career has been fairly short thus far, he has been supportive of capital punishment, and while in the House supported ‘truth in sentencing’ which would minimize opportunity of parole to perpetrators of certain crimes.23 Boozman is an especially vocal supporter of the increased use of specialized Drug Courts. Speaking on the matter, Senator Boozman noted “We have nearly 90 specialty courts in Arkansas that are providing life-saving treatment to more than three thousand individuals with substance use disorders. And the results are impressive. Our state saves $45 million each year by diverting these offenders from prison to drug courts. 90 percent of Arkansas drug court participants’ drug tests come back negative for illegal substances, compared to 64 percent of those on probation and parole.”24

Tom Cotton (Arkansas, R) is the Junior Senator for Arkansas and began serving there in 2015.25 Prior, he served one two year term in the House of Representatives and was a captain in the US Army.26 Tom Cotton arguably holds the most anti-reform views of any members of the Senate. He was quoted as saying: “First, the claim that too many criminals are being jailed, that there is over- incarceration, ignores an unfortunate fact: for the vast majority of crimes, a perpetrator is never identified or arrested, let alone prosecuted, convicted, and jailed...If anything, we have an under- incarceration problem."27 He is critical of effort to reform sentencing guidelines, in favor of felon disenfranchisement laws, and while he recognizes the need to investigate instances of excessive force by the police, he cautions against “demoniz[ing] law enforcement whenever force is

22 “John Boozman.” Wikipedia, September 18, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Boozman

23 “John Boozman” Wikipedia, September 18th, 2018. http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/John_Boozman_Crime.htm

24 “Boozman Recognizes the Positive Influence of Arkansas Drug Courts.” John Boozman, United States Senator for Arkansas, September 18, 2018. https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=F9B54F00-3B27-460E-BE96- 8EA661440CA5

25 “Tom Cotton.” Wikipedia, September 10, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tom_Cotton&oldid=858866050. 26 Ibid. 27 Gass, Nick. “Sen. Tom Cotton: U.S. Has ‘under-Incarceration Problem.’” . Accessed September 18, 2018. https://politi.co/2rRxy8q. used.”28 Senator Cotton may have views that differ from many of his colleagues, but he is outspoken about them nonetheless.

Dianne Feinstein (California, D) is the Senior Senator for California. Feinstein assumed her Senate seat in 1992 after winning a special election. Before then, Senator Feinstein was a prominent Democratic politician in California, serving as the Mayor of San Francisco in 1978 to 1988 and had ran unsuccessfully for the California governorship in 1990. She is presently the longest serving woman in the Senate.29 Her past voting record places her as one of the more conservative members of her party regarding criminal reform, having often voted to increase sentences and limiting appeals processes,30 but she is notably now a cosponsor on the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act, introduced initially as S.2123 but reintroduced as S.1917 with additional sponsors. The SRCA includes a number of sentence revisions, limits solitary confinement, and requires the Bureau of Prisons improve its anti-recidivism programming.31

Kamala Harris (California, D) is the Junior Senator from California and has held this position since 2017.32 As a member of the Judiciary Committee, the former Attorney General of California, and a former prosecutor, Harris is familiar with the criminal justice system and is a strong advocate for reform.33 Harris has long advocated for improving reentry and job training programs to better equip incarcerated people to succeed upon release.34 As the AG of California, Harris led the states’ justice department to begin having law enforcement officials use body cameras and increasingly undergo anti-bias training.35 While originally against marijuana legalisation, her stance has shifted to support it full heartedly, as evidenced by her signing onto Senator ’s Marijuana Justice Act.36 While some critics on the left have criticized her record and

28 Ibid. 29 “Dianne Feinstein.” Wikipedia, September 18, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dianne_Feinstein

30 “Dianne Feinstein.” On The Issues, September 18, 2018. http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Dianne_Feinstein.htm

31 S. 2123 Sess. of 2015, Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015. https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/2123

32 “Kamala Harris.” Wikipedia, September 17, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kamala_Harris&oldid=859975022. 33 Ibid. 34 “The Two Faces of Kamala Harris.” Accessed September 18, 2018. http://jacobinmag.com/2017/08/kamala- harris-trump-obama-california-attorney-general. 35 Ibid. 36 CNN, Daniella Diaz. “Harris to Back Booker Bill to Legalize Marijuana.” CNN. Accessed September 18, 2018. https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/10/politics/kamala-harris-cory-booker-legalizing-marijuana/index.html. claimed her stances on criminal justice are politically convenient, on the topics up for debate in this committee, she is strongly committed to reform.37

Michael Bennet (Colorado, D) was elected the Senior Senator for Colorado after his 2009 appointment to the seat. In his previous employment, Bennet has worked as the Superintendent of Denver Public Schools, the Denver Mayoral Chief of Staff, and a Director in Anschutz Investment Company.38 In line with Colorado State policy, Senator Bennet has indicated and legislated with liberal position toward police and especially drug reform.39 He was an initial sponsor of S.1726, which created federal protection and processing for financial institutions involved with state-legitimized marijuana firms, helping to create safe financial instruments to deal with the new industry.40 In 2010, Bennet was the lead sponsor of S.3278 the Meth Project Prevention Campaign Grant Program Act which sought to reduce drug usage through state grant funding for preventative media campaigns.41

Cory Gardner (Colorado, R) is the Junior Senator of Colorado, a position he has held since 2015.42 Prior to being a senator, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Colorado House of Representatives.43 As the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, he is the 6th highest ranking republican in the senate.44 Hailing from Colorado, a state that has legalized the recreational use of marijuana, Gardner is an advocate for marijuana reform on the federal level, allowing states to determine their own policies.45 Correspondingly, he has co-sponsored the STATES Act with Senator (D), which increases states’ rights in regard to

37 “The Two Faces of Kamala Harris.” Accessed September 18, 2018. http://jacobinmag.com/2017/08/kamala- harris-trump-obama-california-attorney-general. 38 “Michael Bennet.” Wikipedia, September 18, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Bennet

39 “Michael Bennet.” On The Issues, September 18, 2018. http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Michael_Bennet.htm

40 S. 1726, Sess. of 2015, Marijuana Businesses Access to Banking Act of 2015. https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1726

41 S. 3278, Sess. of 2010, Meth Project Prevention Campaign Act of 2010. https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/3278

42 “Cory Gardner.” Wikipedia, September 9, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cory_Gardner&oldid=858735758. 43 Ibid. 44 Ibid. 45 Aiello, Chloe. “Senators Gardner and Warren Release Bipartisan Marijuana Bill,” June 7, 2018. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/07/senators-gardner-and-warren-release-bipartisan-marijuana-bill.html. marijuana legislation.46 Gardner has introduced a bill in the Senate to equip all police officers in the country with higher quality body armor that protects against more types of bullets.47

Richard Blumenthal (, D) has been the Senior Senator for Connecticut since 2011. Blumenthal has been a State Senator and State representative as well, most notable for his long tenure as the Attorney General of Connecticut from 1991 to 2011. In this position, Blumenthal successfully brought legal proceedings before such groups as the Tobacco Industry, Microsoft, the ACC, and Craigslist. During his Senate tenure he has sat in the Armed Services, Judiciary, Health, Education, and Labor committees.48 Senator Blumenthal has been an outspoken critic of mass incarceration measures, and has submitted pending legislations such as the Reverse Mass Incarceration Act of 2017 which would eliminate incentives of states to create additional prison complexes.49

Chris Murphy (Connecticut, D) began serving in the Senate in 2013 as the junior Senator from Connecticut.50 Previously, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives as well as both branches of Connecticut’s state congress.51 In the realm of criminal justice reform, Murphy has taken vocal stances on gun violence prevention and reform within the juvenile justice system, focusing on diverting juveniles from the justice system and creating more lenient punishment systems.52 Murphy has openly supported medical marijuana and has encouraged the reclassification of marijuana to allow for further medical research, but has not advocated for legalisation or decriminalization.53 Murphy supports the Smarter Sentencing Act.54

46 Ibid. 47 “Gardner to Introduce Body Armor Bill to Protect Law Enforcement Officers | U.S. Senator Cory Gardner of Colorado.” Accessed September 19, 2018. https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-to- introduce-body-armor-bill-to-protect-law-enforcement-officers. 48 “Richard Blumenthal.” Wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Blumenthal 49 “Less Crime, Fewer Prisoners – New Senate Bill Creates Incentives to Reduce mass Incarceration.” Brennancenter.org. https://www.brennancenter.org/press-release/less-crime- fewer-prisoners-%E2%80%93-new-senate-bill-creates-incentives-reduce-mass 50 “Chris Murphy.” Wikipedia, September 9, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chris_Murphy&oldid=858728881. 51 Ibid. 52 “Juvenile Justice Reform | U.S. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut.” Accessed September 19, 2018. https://www.murphy.senate.gov/issues/juvenile-justice-reform. 53 Aug 9, Melissa Sherrard |, 2018 | Learn, and Politics. “Marijuana on the Midterms: Where Chris Murphy (D-CT) Stands on Legalization.” Civilized, August 9, 2018. https://www.civilized.life/articles/chris-murphy- stance-on-marijuana/. 54 Murphy, Christopher. “Christopher Murphy.” Legislation. Accessed September 19, 2018. https://www.congress.gov/member/christopher-murphy/M001169.

Tom Carper (, D) is the senior senator for Delaware, a position he has held since 2001. Beginning his professional career as a Naval Aviator during the , Carper initially joined politics as the State treasurer of Delaware in 1977. He then served five terms as the single House Representative for Delaware and two terms as the state governor before taking his senate seat. Carper’s primary engagement with the criminal justice system has been his consistent advocacy for the decreasing of lower crime sentencing, and the harsher punishment of violent crime. Especially in his time as governor, Carper pushed neighborhood-specific, targeted anti-crime programs in afflicted neighborhoods, as well as the creation of new facilities to imprison specifically violent offenders.55

Chris Coons (Delaware, D) has served as the junior Senator from Delaware since 2010.56 Before, he served as County Executive for New Castle County. Senator Coons is the co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, and believes in supporting police forces while also reforming the criminal justice system, especially in regards to sentencing policy.57 Indeed, Senator Coons is a co- sponsor on the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015.58 While he has advocated for increased research on the medical values of marijuana, he has not advocated for decriminalization or legalisation.59

Rick Scott (, R) was elected junior Senator of Florida in the 2018 election. Previously, he served as the Governor of Florida for two terms, after winning elections in 2010 and 2014.60 Scott primarily holds a hard on drugs stance, but did sign a law in 2014 to allow medical use of Charlotte’s Web, a specific non-euphoric strain of marijuana.61 One of his gubernatorial campaign promises was to require drug testing for welfare recipients because, as he told CNN’s T.J. Holmes "Studies show that people that are on welfare are higher users of drugs than people

55 “Tom Carper on Crime.” Ontheissues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Tom_Carper_Crime.htm 56 “Chris Coons.” Wikipedia, September 9, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chris_Coons&oldid=858728540. 57 “Law Enforcement | U.S. Senator Christopher Coons of Delaware.” Accessed September 19, 2018. https://www.coons.senate.gov/issues/law-enforcement. 58 Grassley, Chuck. “S.2123 - 114th Congress (2015-2016): Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015.” Webpage, October 26, 2015. https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/2123. 59 Chen, Angela. “Senator Introduces Bill to Make It Easier to Do Medical Marijuana Research.” The Verge, September 13, 2017. https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/13/16303088/senator-orrin-hatch-marijuana-effective-drug- study-act-research-drugs. 60 “Rick Scott.” Wikipedia, November 28, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rick_Scott&oldid=871012376. 61 “Rick Scott on Drugs.” Accessed December 1, 2018. http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Rick_Scott_Drugs.htm. not on welfare,” but his law was ultimately declared unconstitutional by a federal court.62 On the topic of reentry, Scott signed a law in 2011 requiring ex-felons to wait five years before even applying to the government for restoration of their voting rights, a process that generally takes over a decade to go through.63

Marco Rubio (Florida, R) is the senior Senator of Florida and has served in this position since 2011; prior, he served in the Florida House of Representatives and was the Speaker of the House.64 Rubio is fairly resistant to drug policy reform, stating in 2015, “I personally believe that legalizing drugs would be a great mistake and that any reductions in sentences for drug crimes should be made with great care.”65 However, he has expressed openness to the usage of marijuana for medicinal purposes with oversight from the FDA.66 Rubio has cosponsored legislation seeking to increase penalties for violence against police officers.67

Johnny Isakson (, R) Isakson is the Senior senator for Georgia, serving in this capacity since 2005. Initially a real estate company president, Isakson has represented constituencies in Georgia in both state legislatures, the House of Representatives, and now the Senate. Senator Isakson holds mixed stances towards criminal reform. He has noted his preference for early intervention and social programming to fight drug crime among youth, as his own grandson died to an opioid overdose.68 However, his voting record includes increased measures for juvenile prosecution and sentencing and well as protection for the current prison paradigm as opposed to alternative sentencing possibilities.69

62 “Rick Scott Says Welfare Recipients Are More Likely to Use Illicit Drugs | PolitiFact Florida.” Accessed December 1, 2018. https://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2011/jun/09/rick-scott/rick-scott-says-welfare- recipients-are-more-likely/. 63 “Second Chances? Not in Rick Scott’s Florida - Orlando Sentinel.” Accessed December 1, 2018. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-ed-rick-scott-denies-felons-voting-rights-20180427-story.html. 64 “Marco Rubio.” Wikipedia, September 17, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Marco_Rubio&oldid=859949320. 65 “How Rubio’s Stance on Drug Laws Stands out in GOP Presidential Field.” Post. Accessed September 19, 2018. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/04/28/how-rubios-stance-on- drug-laws-stands-out-in-gop-presidential-field/. 66 Author, James Greenman Email. “ and Marco Rubio about Marijuana Legalization.” MarijuanaReform.Org (blog), March 1, 2018. http://marijuanareform.org/ted-cruz-and-marco-rubio-about- marijuana-legalization/. 67 Cornyn, John. “S.1134 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Back the Blue Act of 2017.” Webpage, May 16, 2017. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1134. 68 “ opens up about family’s tragic loss.” TheHill..com. https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/public-global-health/383400-johnny-isakson-opens-up- about-familys-tragic-loss 69 “Johnny Isakson on Crime.” Ontheissues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Johnny_Isakson_Crime.htm (Georgia, R) David Perdue is the junior Senator of Georgia, a position he has held since 2015.70 Before serving in Congress, Perdue was a businessman, working for several firms and businesses throughout his career.71 Perdue strongly spoke out against bipartisan efforts to reform sentencing policy, siding with republicans who favored a tough on crime approach.72 Perdue has indicated he might be open to medical usage of marijuana.73 Perdue has cosponsored legislation seeking to increase penalties for violence against police officers.74

Brian Schatz (, D) is the senior Senator of Hawaii and has served in this position since 2012.75 Before serving in the Senate, Senator Schatz served in the Hawaii House of Representatives, was the chairman of the Hawaii Democratic Party, and was Lieutenant .76 Schatz has supported reentry programs through legislation encouraging colleges to remove questions about criminal and juvenile records in applications.77 He has suggested that programs that use punishment other than incarceration for non-violent offenses could be beneficial.78 Senator Schatz has co-sponsored legislation that would reclassify some low-level felonies as misdemeanors and eliminate the sentencing disparities between cocaine and crack cocaine.79 Additionally, he cosponsored a bill to stop arming police forces throughout the country with military equipment.80

70 “David Perdue.” Wikipedia, September 17, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=David_Perdue&oldid=859973015. 71 Ibid. 72 “Tom Cotton Leads the Right-Wing Charge to Kill Criminal-Justice Reform, the One Bipartisan Initiative Still Possible.” Daily Intelligencer. Accessed September 19, 2018. http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/01/right- wingers-turn-on-criminal-justice-reform.html. 73 Peyser, Eve, and Matt Taylor. “Does Your Senator Think Weed Should Be Legal?” Vice (blog), April 23, 2018. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/59jqx3/which-senators-by-state-support-legal-weed. 74 Cornyn, John. “S.1134 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Back the Blue Act of 2017.” Webpage, May 16, 2017. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1134. 75 “Brian Schatz.” Wikipedia, September 7, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brian_Schatz&oldid=858441062. 76 Ibid. 77 “Schatz Introduces New Legislation To Encourage Colleges To Remove Criminal And Juvenile Record Questions From Admissions Applications | U.S. Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii.” Accessed September 19, 2018. https://www.schatz.senate.gov/press-releases/schatz-introduces-new-legislation-to-encourage-colleges-to-remove- criminal-and-juvenile-record-questions-from-admissions-applications. 78 “Brian Schatz on Crime.” Accessed September 19, 2018. http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Brian_Schatz_Crime.htm. 79 Host, . “GOP Hopefuls Should Talk about Prison Reform (Opinion).” CNN. Accessed September 19, 2018. https://www.cnn.com/2015/09/15/opinions/jones-prison-reform-debate-issue/index.html. 80 Paul, Rand. “S.1856 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act.” Webpage, September 25, 2017. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1856. (Hawaii, D) Mazie Hirono is the junior senator for Hawaii, elected as recently as 2013. Senator Hirono represents a first in many ways: she is the first female Hawaiian senator, the first Buddhist senator, the first to be born in , and the very first East-Asian American woman elected to the Senate. Previously, she has served as a congressional representative for Hawaii, and as the state’s Lieutenant Governor.81 While campaigning, Hirono has referred to mandatory sentences as wasteful, and has backed legislation such as H.R.1593 the Second Chance Act of 2007, which sought to increase government services for offenders’ reentry to society, indicating her staunchly liberal attitudes toward criminal reform.82

Mike Crapo (, R) Mike serves as the senior senator for Idaho, initially elected in 1998. A graduate of Harvard Law, he began his professional career as lawyer in Idaho Falls, before joining the House of representatives in 1992. Crapo is notable as one of the first Mormon congressman to hail from outside Utah. Presently Senator Crapo serves as the chair of the Senate Banking Committee. As a House representative, Crapo consistently supported conservative measures of criminal reform, including enhancing police response and protecting self defense clauses.83 In addition, Senator Crapo has suggested that the route to reducing gun crime is the expansion of mental healthcare provision.84

Jim Risch (Idaho, R) James (Jim) Risch is the junior Senator of Idaho, a position he has held since 2009.85 He has also served as both Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Idaho.86 Risch used to teach criminal law, so he is familiar with the justice system.87 Risch is a strong believer in “law and order” a phrase typically used by those that are “tough on crime.”88 He has opposed sentencing reform ardently,

81 “Mazie Hirono.” Wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazie_Hirono 82 “Mazie Hirono on Crime.” Ontheissues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Mazie_Hirono_Crime.htm 83 “Member .” Congress.gov. https://www.congress.gov/member/michael- crapo/C000880?q=%7B%22congress%22%3A%22103%22%2C%22subject%22%3A%22Crime +and+Law+Enforcement%22%7D

84 “Mike Crapo.” Wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Crapo#Gun_law 85 “Jim Risch.” Wikipedia, September 5, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jim_Risch&oldid=858245446. 86 Ibid. 87 “Biography - James E Risch, U.S. Senator for Idaho.” Accessed September 19, 2018. https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/biography. 88 Picard, Joe. “Criminal Justice Reform: Why Hasn’t More Been Done?” Text. TheHill, March 2, 2016. https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/judicial/271359-criminal-justice-reform-why-hasnt-more-been-done. along with Senators Perdue and Cotton.89 Risch has cosponsored legislation seeking to increase penalties for violence against police officers.90

Dick Durbin (, D) is the senior senator for Illinois, a seat he gained in 1996. Alongside his senatorial role, he serves as the Assistant Democratic Party leader and the Minority . Before his political career, Durbin served as legal counsel on behalf of Illinois. Durbin is a co-sponsor of the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act alongside , which seeks to address mass incarceration concerns and reduce recidivism. The Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee, and is pending further debate.91 Even more recently, Durbin has joined Grassley again with proposal of the First Step Act (S.3649) which seeks to complement the SRCA, and has been endorsed by President Trump as a bipartisan measure toward criminal reform.92

Tammy Duckworth (Illinois, D) is the junior Senator of Illinois, and has held that position since 2017.93 She previously served in the House of Representatives, and prior to holding elected office she worked in the US Department of Veteran Affairs after serving in the US Army as a lieutenant colonel.94 Duckworth has “introduced legislation to require independent and impartial investigations into law enforcement officials’ use of deadly force and has been a strong advocate for comprehensive sentencing reform, “ban the box” initiatives and Federal investments in additional training for law enforcement,” according to her website.95 She has also tackled issues of recidivism in creative ways, attempting to improve policies in a way that allows inmate to maintain connection with family members, a policy that has been shown to reduce recidivism.96

89 Ibid. 90 Toomey, Pat. “S.1085 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Thin Blue Line Act.” Webpage, May 10, 2017. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1085. 91 “Judiciary Committee Advances Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act.” Durbin.senate.ov. https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/judiciary-committee-advances- sentencing-reform-and-corrections-act 92 “Senators Unveil Revised Bipartisan Prison Sentencing Legislation.” Durbin.senate.gov. https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-unveil-revised-bipartisan- prison-sentencing-legislation- 93 “Tammy Duckworth.” Wikipedia, September 18, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tammy_Duckworth&oldid=860078808. 94 Ibid. 95 “Civil Rights, Criminal Justice Reform and Gun Safety | U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois.” Accessed September 20, 2018. https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/about-tammy/issues/civil-rights-criminal-justice-reform- and-gun-safety. 96 Ibid. (Indiana, R) Mike Braun was elected in 2018 to become the junior senator from Indiana.97 Previously, he served in the Indiana House of Representatives from 2014 to 2017, but his recent senate campaign stressed his “outsider” businessman background.98 During a debate prior to the 2018 election Braun stated that he is in favor of medical marijuana because he views the issue in regards to “free markets and freedom of choice” for a citizen.99 Regarding reentry and rehabilitation, police brutality, and other drugs, Braun has not yet explicitly declared a stance. However, his position is likely solidly conservative based on his campaign goals aligning with those of President Trump.100

Todd Young (Indiana, R) is the junior senator from Indiana. He is one of the Senate’s most recent additions, having won his seat just in 2017. Before that, Young was a House Representative for Indiana. Senator Young initially graduated from the US Naval Academy, and after service with the Marine Corps completed his MBA at the University of Chicago through night classes.101 Young has become a vocal proponent for the First Step Act put forth by Grassley and Durbin in his short tenure.102

Chuck Grassley (Iowa, R) Chuck Grassley is the senior Senator from Iowa, a position he was first elected to in 1980, making him one of the most senior members of the senate103 He previously served in the US House of Representatives, and the Iowa House of Representatives.104 As chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Chair of the Senate Narcotics Caucus, he has been very involved in debates surrounding criminal justice reform.105 Grassley has spearheaded bipartisan reform efforts, most notably the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015.106 He has stated that “Over time, sentencing reform, coupled with reentry programs, can help to reduce crime, [and]

97 “Mike Braun - Wikipedia.” Accessed December 1, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Braun. 98 Ibid. 99 “GOP Senate Candidates Voice Support For Medical Marijuana, But Voted Against It | Marijuana Moment.” Accessed December 1, 2018. https://www.marijuanamoment.net/indiana-gop-senate-candidates-voice-support- medical-marijuana-voted/. 100 “Issues | Mike Braun for Indiana.” Accessed December 1, 2018. https://www.mikebraunforindiana.com/issues/. 101 “About.” Young.senate.gov. https://www.young.senate.gov/about-todd 102 “Young, Indiana Groups Support Bipartisan Criminal Justice reform Legislation.” Young.senate.gov. https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-indiana- groups-support-bipartisan-criminal-justice-reform-legislation 103 “Chuck Grassley.” Wikipedia, September 17, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chuck_Grassley&oldid=860041089. 104 Ibid. 105 Ibid. 106 “Hatch Endorses Grassley’s Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act | Chuck Grassley.” Accessed September 20, 2018. https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hatch-endorses-grassley-s-sentencing-reform-and- corrections-act. shrink the prison population,” as well as provide more resources to law enforcement agencies.107 However, Grassley has also stated that he agrees with Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ decision to instruct prosecutors to strictly enforce marijuana laws,108 and in 2016 stated that he opposed “moving marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule II drug, based on the current science on the risks and benefits.”109

Joni Ernst (Iowa, R) is the junior Senator from Iowa, and began serving in 2015.110 She is a combat veteran, and prior to serving in the U.S. Senate was in the .111 Ernst has sided with her fellow Iowa Senator, Chuck Grassley, on sentencing reform and signed on to the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015.112 She is similarly against marijuana legalisation, and in 2014 stated that she was against medical marijuana as well.113

Pat Roberts (Kansas, R) is the serving senior senator for Kansas, initially elected in 1997. Senator Roberts is the present Chairman of Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Previously a Marine and a newspaper reporter, Roberts served eight terms in the House of Representatives before joining the Senate. He is notable as one of the Senate’s strongest proponents of the Death penalty. He has supported broadening the death penalty and imposing truth in sentencing, and has voted against expansions of appeals to the death penalty. Furthermore, Roberts during campaign speeches has noted an interest in expanding law enforcement, and improving educational resources for officers.114

Jerry Moran (Kansas, R) serves as the other senator for Kansas as junior to Pat Roberts. He first took office in 2011, and had previously served as a House Representative and state Attorney

107 Ibid. 108 Service, Mike Brownlee / World-Herald News. “Sen. Chuck Grassley Talks DACA, Marijuana and More in Council Bluffs.” Omaha.com. Accessed September 20, 2018. https://www.omaha.com/news/iowa/sen-chuck- grassley-talks-daca-marijuana-and-more-in-council/article_5cedae8d-620a-528e-a549-c88e8f40d91d.html. 109 Peyser, Eve, and Matt Taylor. “Does Your Senator Think Weed Should Be Legal?” Vice (blog), April 23, 2018. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/59jqx3/which-senators-by-state-support-legal-weed. 110 “Joni Ernst.” Wikipedia, September 17, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Joni_Ernst&oldid=859895743. 111 Ibid. 112 “Iowa’s Joni Ernst among Senators Joining Criminal Justice Reform Bill | Sheffield Press and Pioneer Enterprise.” Accessed September 20, 2018. http://thesheffieldpress.com/content/iowas-joni-ernst-among-senators- joining-criminal-justice-reform-bill. 113 Peyser, Eve, and Matt Taylor. “Does Your Senator Think Weed Should Be Legal?” Vice (blog), April 23, 2018. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/59jqx3/which-senators-by-state-support-legal-weed. 114 “Pat Roberts on Crime.” Ontheissues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Pat_Roberts_Crime.htm General.115Senator Moran presently is the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, putting him in constant engagement with questions of Justice expansion. Supporting Grassley and Durbin, Moran is a cosponsor to the Bipartisan efforts the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act, and recently joined the additional effort with the First Step Act. The combination of these bills seeks to improve fairness of drug sentencing and improve offender reentry, and incorporates lessons Moran learned as the Kansas Attorney General.116

Mitch McConnell (, R) Mitch McConnell is the Senate Majority Leader and the senior Senator of Kentucky; he been in the senate since 1984, and began Senate Majority Leader in 2015 after being since 2007.117 McConnell has indicated that he supports the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015, and hopes to call it to a vote after the midterm elections.118 However, McConnell has stated that he will not support the legalization of marijuana.119 McConnell has recognized the issue of police brutality, but has cautioned against blanket condemnation of law enforcement officials.120

Rand Paul (Kentucky, R) is the junior senator for Kentucky, serving alongside Mitch McConnell. A ophthalmologist by trade, Mr. Paul has been a notable member of national politics as a leader of the , a previous Republic presidential Primary candidate, and son of libertarian politician . Senator Paul is particularly outspoken regarding criminal reform. Alongside democrats Elizabeth Warren and Cory Gardner, Paul cosponsored the STATES Act which would recognize and protect the legalization of cannabis in state law against federal interference.In addition, Senator Paul is working alongside Senator Kamala Harris, herself a former state Attorney General, to push the Pretrial Integrity and Safety Act. This Act would offer

115 “Jerry Moran” Wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Moran 116 “Sen. Moran Sponsor Bipartisan prison, Sentencing Reform Legislation.” Moran.senate.gov. https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/11/sen-moran-sponsors-bipartisan-prison- sentencing-reform-legislation 117 “Mitch McConnell.” Wikipedia, September 12, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mitch_McConnell&oldid=859155291. 118 “McConnell Commits to Moving Forward on Criminal Justice Bill after Midterms.” . Accessed September 20, 2018. https://www.axios.com/mitch-mcconnell-commits-criminal-justice-reform-whip-count-69b62e17-3ef8- 46b9-a95d-4073478d9924.html. 119 Thomsen, Jacqueline. “McConnell: I Won’t Support Legalizing Marijuana.” Text. TheHill, May 8, 2018. https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/386791-mcconnell-i-wont-support-legalizing-marijuana. 120 “McConnell Pressed on Issue.” The Courier-Journal. Accessed September 20, 2018. https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/mitch-mcconnell/2016/07/28/mcconnell-pressed-answer-black- lives-matter/87654538/. reforms and funds to allow states and Native American Nations reform their bail systems, and fight the growing prominence of algorithmic sentencing.121 122

Bill Cassidy (, R) Bill serves as the senior senator for Louisiana, beginning his senatorial tenure in 2015. Cassidy served in two other legislative positions previously, both as a House Representative for Louisiana and as a member for the . Cassidy was the first Republican elected to his seat since the 1883.123 In his relatively short senate career, he has not been vocal on criminal justice reform specifically, being notable instead for his work alongside on healthcare. He has signed on behind the bipartisan First Step Act, notably in disagreement with fellow Louisiana politician John Kennedy.124

John Kennedy (Louisiana, R) John Kennedy has been the junior Senator of Louisiana since 2017, prior to which he was the treasurer of Louisiana since 2000.125 As a state, Louisiana is often termed the “incarceration capital of the nation,” having been the state with the highest incarceration rate until recently.126 Kennedy has been critical of the state reforms advanced by the Governor of Louisiana, stating that they have had a negative impact on public safety.127 Kennedy has openly considered running for Governor in 2019, but has not yet announced his intentions.128 Kennedy has supported the practice of stop and frisk, which many consider prone to police abuse and bias.129 He is strongly opposed to marijuana legalization.130 Kennedy has cosponsored legislation seeking to increase penalties for violence against police officers.131

121 STATES Act.” Wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rand_Paul 122 “rand Paul and Kamala Harris Team up to Reform Bail Practices.”NBCnews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/rand-paul-kamala-harris-team-reform-bail-practices- n794031 123 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Cassidy 124 https://www.dailycomet.com/news/20181205/louisianas-us-senators-differ-over-federal- prison-reform 125 “John Kennedy (Louisiana Politician).” Wikipedia, September 7, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Kennedy_(Louisiana_politician)&oldid=858436540. 126 Watkins, Wallis. “Senator Kennedy Blasts Criminal Justice Reforms Ahead of Governor's Meeting With President Trump.” Accessed September 21, 2018. http://www.wrkf.org/post/senator-kennedy-blasts-criminal- justice-reforms-ahead-governors-meeting-president-trump. 127 Ibid. 128 Ibid. 129 Kennedy, John. “Stop-and-Frisk Allows Police Officers to Do Their Job | Sen. John Kennedy.” NOLA.com, February 28, 2018. https://www.nola.com/opinions/index.ssf/2018/02/stop_and_frisk.html. 130 “Public Notes on 16AFA_Q19.” Accessed September 21, 2018. http://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_16AFA_Q19.htm. 131 Toomey, Pat. “S.1085 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Thin Blue Line Act.” Webpage, May 10, 2017. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1085. (, R) Senator Collins serves as Maine’s Senior Senator, and has held her seat since 1996. She is the only Republican representing a State, and has incredibly never missed a single vote in her 22 year senatorial career.132 Collins’ voting record places her as an unusually moderate republican, and is often found as a critical vote. Her interactions with criminal justice reform ascribe to a clear agenda – stronger support for law enforcement and sentencing, but the diminishment of capital punishment. Specifically, she sponsored S.233 and S.486 (The Innocence Protection Act of 2001) to raise the level of evidence required to invoke the death penalty. Collins also sponsored the Recidivism Reduction and Second Chance Act of 2007 (S1060) which expanded reentry services for offenders to reduce recidivism.133

Angus King (Maine, I) is the junior Senator from Maine, and has held that position since 2013.134 He previously served as the Governor of Maine, and was a lecturer at Bowdoin College.135 He is one of only two independent members of the Senate, but caucuses with Democrats.136 King has expressed support for the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015, and previously cosponsored the Smarter Sentencing Reform Act,which provided alternatives to mandatory minimums for nonviolent drug offenses.137 King also cosponsored the Second Chance Act Reauthorization, which provided funding for programs to aid in prisoner reentry.138

Ben Cardin (Maryland, D) is the senior senator for Maryland, and has held his seat since 2006. Previously, he served as a House Representative for Maryland, and as a representative in the Maryland House of Delegates. In over fifty years of political office, Cardin has never lost an election. He is among the bipartisan sponsors of the First Step Act proposed by Grassley and Durbin, and has reintroduced S.3195, the Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act, which focuses on accountability and community trust.139 140Cardin was also a cosponsor on the Innocence Protection Act, mandating DNA evidence at harshest sentencings.141

132 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Collins 133 http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Susan_Collins_Crime.htm 134 Ibid. 135 Ibid. 136 Ibid. 137 “King Cosponsors Bipartisan Criminal Justice Reform Legislation.” Accessed September 21, 2018. https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-cosponsors-bipartisan-criminal-justice-reform- legislation. 138 Ibid. 139 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Cardin 140 https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/07/18/2018/cardin-introduces- legislation-to-encourage-police-departments-to-improve-training-and-standards 141 http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Benjamin_Cardin_Crime.htm (Maryland, D) Chris Van Hollen serves alongside Ben Cardin as junior senator for Maryland. Originally born in Pakistan, Van Hollen was previously a House Representative for Maryland. Within the DNC, he has chaired the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and presently chairs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.142 The senator’s voting record is generally tough on crime, but he has also been instrumental in certain reforms such as his sponsorship of the Second Chance Act (S.1060/H.R.1593).143

Elizabeth Warren (, D) Elizabeth Warren has served in the Senate since 2013, and is the senior Senator from Massachusetts.144 Before serving in the Senate, Warren was a law professor who had worked in Washington D.C. in certain appointed positions relating to financial regulation.145 Warren is the sponsor of the bipartisan STATES act which seeks to put regulation of marijuana in the hands of the states as opposed to the federal government.146 Warren stated in 2018 that “the hard truth about our criminal justice system: It’s racist … I mean front to back.”147 She specifically identified voter disenfranchisement and interactions with law enforcements as areas in need of reform.148

Ed Markey (Massachusetts, D) is the junior Senator of Massachusetts and began serving in this position in 2013.149 He previously represented Massachusetts’ 7th district in the House of Representatives; between the House and the Senate, Markey has served 41 years in Congress.150 Markey has introduce legislation to help individuals who are incarcerated in their reentry by facilitating their enrollment in upon release.151 Markey has stated that while we must show respect for law enforcement officers and the service they provide, Americans “must not accept discriminatory racial profiling, targeted traffic stops and other unconstitutional law enforcement

142 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Van_Hollen 143 http://www.ontheissues.org/House/Chris_Van_Hollen_Crime.htm 144 “Elizabeth Warren.” Wikipedia, September 19, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elizabeth_Warren&oldid=860298685. 145 Ibid. 146 Warren, Elizabeth. “S.3032 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): STATES Act.” Legislation, June 7, 2018. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/3032. 147 Press, Associated. “Warren: Criminal Justice System Is Racist ‘Front to Back.’” (blog), August 4, 2018. https://nypost.com/2018/08/04/warren-criminal-justice-system-is-racist-front-to-back/. 148 Ibid. 149 “Ed Markey.” Wikipedia, September 9, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ed_Markey&oldid=858785806. 150 Ibid. 151 “Senator Markey and Rep. Scott Introduce Legislation to Help Expand Access to Health Care, Including Opioid Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Services.” Senator Ed Markey. Accessed September 21, 2018. https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-and-rep-scott-introduce-legislation-to-help- expand-access-to-health-care-including-opioid-use-disorder-treatment-and-recovery-services. techniques.”152 While Markey has not yet stated he support legalization of marijuana, he has expressed support for the idea that states should set their own policies with minimal federal intervention.153

Debbie Stabenow (Michigan, D) Prior to serving as the senior Senator of Michigan, was in the House of Representatives, and the Michigan State Legislature before that.154 Stabenow has cosponsored legislation that would ban racial profiling by any law enforcement agency in the United States.155 While she hasn’t taken many definitive positions on criminal justice reform, she has expressed support for a commission to look into reform.156

Gary Peters (Michigan, D) Senator Peters is the junior senator for Michigan, taking his seat in 2015. Before his senate run, he was House Representative for Michigan, and the Commissioner of the Michigan State Lottery157. Peters holds a 100% Rating from the National Association of Police Organizations, and has previously sponsored the Youth PROMISE Act which sought to preempt crime with mentorship and intervention programs for young adults in at-risk communities.158

Amy Klobuchar (, D) is the senior Senator of Minnesota and has served since 2006.159 Previously, she was the for the most populous county in Minnesota.160 Klobuchar is a co- sponsor on the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015.161 Klobuchar sponsored and passed a bill in the Senate that increased resources for law enforcement agencies, specifically in

152 “Senator Markey Statement on Dallas Police Officers Shooting.” Senator Ed Markey. Accessed September 21, 2018. https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-statement-on-dallas-police-officers- shooting. 153 “Senators Ask DOJ to Uphold Existing Policy on State Marijuana Laws.” Senator Ed Markey. Accessed September 21, 2018. https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-ask-doj-to-uphold-existing- policy-on-state-marijuana-laws. 154 “Debbie Stabenow.” Wikipedia, September 20, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Debbie_Stabenow&oldid=860415371. 155 Stabenow, Debbie. “Debbie Stabenow.” Legislation. Accessed September 21, 2018. https://www.congress.gov/member/deborah-stabenow/S000770. 156 “Peters, GOP Senators Push Change for Justice System.” Free Press. Accessed September 21, 2018. https://www.freep.com/story/news/2017/03/08/legal-reform-commission-pushed-again-us-senate/98911506/. 157 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Peters 158 http://www.ontheissues.org/MI/Gary_Peters_Crime.htm 159 “Amy Klobuchar.” Wikipedia, September 11, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Amy_Klobuchar&oldid=859070847. 160 Ibid. 161 Grassley, Chuck. “S.2123 - 114th Congress (2015-2016): Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015.” Webpage, October 26, 2015. https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/2123. regards to addressing crimes, and increased the rights of victims of crime.162 Klobuchar was quoted in late 2018 saying “we know that there is racism in the [criminal justice] system that needs to be fixed, that's why we have started instituting body cameras, which is a great solution.”163

Tina Smith (Minnesota, D) holds the junior senator seat for Minnesota, and only joined her post in 2018 upon ’s resignation and the subsequent special election. A graduate of Stanford and Dartmouth, she has previously been a vice president for as well as the Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota.164 Her short tenure in the Senate means she doesn’t presently have an established position on criminal justice reform, and can take the liberty to define her stances now as she chooses. Smith has demonstrated an interest in the way the American criminal justice system intersects with Native American Affairs, sponsoring the bipartisan Justice for Native Survivors of Sexual Violence Act alongside Lisa Murkowski and .165

Roger Wicker (, R) is the senior Senator from Mississippi, and has served in the Senate since 2007.166 Prior, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the .167 He also served in the .168 Wicker has not taken a strong vocal position on criminal justice reform, but many reform minded members of the Republican Party see him as a sympathetic ear and likely undecided vote in the Senate.169 In response to the Jeff Sessions decision to increase prosecution of marijuana usage, Wicker stated “I think that the statement of the Attorney General is that it is still illegal at the federal level and I support that.”170

162 “Klobuchar-Backed Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Criminal Justice System Passes Senate, Heads to President’s Desk for Signature.” U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar. Accessed September 21, 2018. https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2016/12/klobuchar-backed-bipartisan-legislation-to-strengthen- criminal-justice-system-passes-senate-heads-to-president-s-desk-for-signature. 163 Kamisar, Ben. “Klobuchar: ‘There Is Racism’ in the Justice System.” NBC News. Accessed September 21, 2018. https://www.nbcnews.com/card/amy-klobuchar-there-racism-justice-system-n897786. 164 https://www.smith.senate.gov/content/about-tina 165 https://votesmart.org/public-statement/1267571/sen-tina-smith-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-help-tribes- pursue-justice-for-crimes-of-sexual-violence-committed-by-non-indian-offenders#.XA0jW3RKjcc 166 “Roger Wicker.” Wikipedia, September 19, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Roger_Wicker&oldid=860284739. 167 Ibid. 168 Ibid. 169 “Pigott: US Needs Criminal Justice Reform.” The Clarion Ledger. Accessed September 21, 2018. https://www.clarionledger.com/story/opinion/columnists/2016/05/17/brad-pigott-us-needs-criminal-justice- reform/84460450/. 170 Peyser, Eve, and Matt Taylor. “Does Your Senator Think Weed Should Be Legal?” Vice (blog), April 23, 2018. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/59jqx3/which-senators-by-state-support-legal-weed. Cindy Hyde-Smith (Mississippi, R) Cindy Hyde-Smith serves as the junior senator for Mississippi, joining only in April 2018 following ’s resignation and her victory in the special election. Senator Hyde- Smith is the first woman to represent Mississippi in either body of Congress. Initially she began her political career as a democrat in the Mississippi State Senate, but joined the GOP in 2010.171 The senators’ short tenure gives her freedom to define her stance on criminal justice reform, but she is well known as an orthodox member of the Republican Party.172

Roy Blunt (, R) is the Senior senator for Missouri following Claire McCaskill’s departure from office this January. He was initially elected in 2010. Before his senatorial career, Blunt held office as Secretary of State of Missouri and as a US House Representative.173 The senator blunt holds typically contrasting views in reform: his voting record consistently supports both measures to decrease recidivism through reentry programs as well as general increases in sentencing and prosecution.174 Recently, Blunt has joined the bipartisan group of senators who have reintroduced the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act.175

Josh Hawley (Missouri, R) is the junior Senator from Missouri, and he served most recently as the Attorney General of Missouri starting in 2017.176 Hawley’s background is primarily in law, including attending and working for Chief Justice among other high profile legal work.177 As Attorney General, he started an investigation into the role of large prescription drug companies in contributing to the opioid epidemic, but his stance on marijuana and mandatory minimums is not yet clear.178 Hawley also has not explicitly voiced positions on policing or incarceration, but his campaign website claims that he has experience in battling “big government and big business, the special interests, organized crime, and anyone who would threaten the wellbeing of Missourians.”179

171 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cindy_Hyde-Smith 172 https://ballotpedia.org/Cindy_Hyde-Smith 173 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Blunt 174 http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Roy_Blunt_Crime.htm 175 https://www.brennancenter.org/press-release/senate-leaders-reintroduce-bipartisan-bill-criminal-justice- reform 176 “Josh Hawley.” Wikipedia, November 27, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Josh_Hawley&oldid=870942948. 177 Ibid. 178 Ibid. 179 “About.” Josh Hawley. Accessed December 1, 2018. https://joshhawley.com/about/. (Montana, D) Jon Tester has been the senior Senator from Montana since 2006, and previously served as the President of the and as a music teacher and farmer.180 He has a rating of B+ indicating a pro-reform stance on marijuana legislation according to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.181 In April 2018, Tester announced the introduction of a bill that would authorize and strengthen three grant initiatives directed at addressing drug issues in Montana.182 The grants include a Community Oriented Policing Services Grant that provides additional funding to “allow police officers to develop strong relationships with local residents and leaders.”183 Additionally, as Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Tester secured $330 million for “Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Funds that help fund drug and treatment courts, substance abuse treatment for prison inmates, and prescription drug monitoring.”184

Steve Daines (Montana, R) has been the junior Senator of Montana since 2015.185 Before serving in the Senate, he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.186 Daines has supported the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015, but only after a provision was included to “ensure that prosecutors have the tools they need to prevent criminals that should not receive early release from getting it,” per his request.187 Daines has supported legislation seeking to increase penalties for violence against police officers.188

Deb Fischer (, R) hold the seat as Nebraska’s senior senator, and was first elected in 2013. She has served in the , and previously ran a ranch with her husband.189 Senator Fischer advocates for the strongest measures in criminal justice, having voted to protect and expand the death penalty in every vote placed before her as well has voting to decrease parole

180 “Jon Tester - Wikipedia.” Accessed December 1, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Tester. 181 “Jon Tester on Drugs.” Accessed December 1, 2018. http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Jon_Tester_Drugs.htm. 182 “Tester Joins Billings Law Enforcement to Combat Rising Crime and Drug Use in Montana.” Accessed December 1, 2018. https://www.tester.senate.govp=press_release&id=6060. 183 Ibid. 184 Ibid. 185 “Steve Daines.” Wikipedia, September 5, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Steve_Daines&oldid=858249036. 186 Ibid. 187 “Daines Joins Effort to Reform Criminal Justice System | U.S. Senator Steve Daines of Montana.” Accessed September 21, 2018. https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-joins-effort-to-reform-criminal- justice-system. 188 “Steve Daines on Crime.” Accessed September 21, 2018. http://www.ontheissues.org/House/Steve_Daines_Crime.htm. 189 https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/biography opportunities.190 Further, she has expressed concern over the state-basis rise of legalized marijuana sale, and has put forward legislation to halt funding to offices of the Attorney General if they do not produced monitoring reports on state to state spillover crime. On the matter, the senator noted “Marijuana is being transported across state lines and making its way out of states such as Colorado and into Nebraska’s communities.”191

Ben Sasse (Nebraska, R) is the junior Senator of Nebraska and has served in this position since 2015.192 He previously had a career in academics, both in teaching and administration.193 Sasse voted against a bill that would decrease mandatory minimums for certain offenses while increasing penalties for others.194 Sasse has been a vocal critic of President Trump, but for the most part aligns policy wise with the rest of his party.195

Jacky Rosen (, D) is Nevada’s Junior Senator, having beaten the incumbent in this most recent election cycle. Elected to the 3rd Congressional district in 2016, Senator Rosen has served on the U.S. House Committee on Armed Forces Services and Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. A child of immigrants, her platform focuses on decriminalization and border policy reform.196 She also signed a bipartisan bill in the House to remove Marijuana from the list of schedule 1 drugs, stating “I believe it’s time to end the federal prohibition on marijuana, start regulating this product like alcohol, and get rid of barriers for states like ours [Nevada] where voters have made the decision to move forward.”197

Catherine Cortez Masto (Nevada, D) sits as the junior senator from Nevada, winning her first senate race is 2017. Before, she held a position as the Attorney General of Nevada. Cortez Masto is the first

190 http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Deb_Fischer_Crime.htm 191 https://www.omaha.com/news/nebraska/deb-fischer-calls-for-cutting-justice-department-funding-unless- it/article_77e843fe-ab1e-5aab-b576-a4d366217dfa.html 192 “Ben Sasse.” Wikipedia, September 21, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ben_Sasse&oldid=860518341. 193 Ibid. 194 Schor, Elana. “Criminal Justice Overhaul Advances amid Grassley-Sessions Spat.” POLITICO. Accessed September 21, 2018. http://politi.co/2Hi2kxf. 195 “Ben Sasse.” Wikipedia, September 21, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ben_Sasse&oldid=860518341. 196 “Jacky Rosen for Senate.” Jacky Rosen for Senate. Accessed December 1, 2018. https://www.rosenfornevada.com/issues. 197 “ROSEN SIGNS ONTO BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO REGULATE MARIJUANA LIKE ALCOHOL, REMOVE FROM SCHEDULE I.” Congresswoman Jacky Rosen, August 8, 2018. https://rosen.house.gov/media/press-releases/rosen-signs-bipartisan-legislation-regulate-marijuana-alcohol-remove- schedule-i. Latina in the US Senate.198 Despite her short tenure so far, she has already become active in the national debate on criminal justice reform, and is one of the cosponsors who brought forward the STATES Act in 2018.199 On the STATES Act, Senator Cortez Masto argued “The federal government must respect the rights of states who choose to legalize and regulate marijuana… It will also address the federal government’s antiquated approach to the issue that has allowed the black market to thrive and created public safety and money laundering risks by refusing to allow cannabis businesses to access banking services.”200

Jeanne Shaheen (, D) serves as the senior Senator for New Hampshire, first taking her seat in 2009. Prior to her Senate election Shaheen was the Governor of New Hampshire, notably the first woman to have served as both Governor and Senator in American history.201While a member of the Democratic party, Senator Shaheen has been sympathetic to more conservative policies regarding criminal justice reform, including expansion of the death penalty, truth-in-sentencing, and use of block grant funding for crime prevention programs per state deliberation.202

Maggie Hassan (New Hampshire, D) Before becoming the junior Senator of New Hampshire in 2017, had served as Governor of New Hampshire, in New Hampshire’s State Senate, and had previously had a career as an attorney, including serving as counsel for a healthcare organization.203 Hassan’s public safety platform emphasized treatment programs to address the opioid academic in New Hampshire, and indicates support for law enforcement funding programs, including more support for community oriented policing programs.204 Hassan has been criticized for not doing enough to stop the war on drug, although she has recognized that “we cannot arrest our way out of this.”205

Bob Menendez (, D) is the senior Senator from New Jersey, joining the body in 2006 by gubernatorial appointment. A lawyer by trade, Menendez was previously a representative in both the House as

198 https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/about 199 https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/3032/cosponsors 200 https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-cosponsors-bipartisan-states-act-to- protect-state-marijuana-policies 201 https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/about/biography 202 http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Jeanne_Shaheen_Crime.htm 203 “Maggie Hassan.” Wikipedia, September 12, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Maggie_Hassan&oldid=859142763. 204 “Public Safety.” Maggie Hassan for Senate. Accessed September 21, 2018. http://maggiehassan.com/priority/public-safety/. 205 AM, Rep, and A. Bouldin. “My Turn: New Hampshire Voters Demand Drug Policy Reform.” Concord Monitor, March 25, 2016. https://www.concordmonitor.com/Archive/2016/03/From-Archives-2/myturnbouldin-cmforum- 032616. well as the New Jersey State Senate.206 In his Senatorial career, Menendez has been a supporter of rehabilitative measures except in the expansion of prosecution of hate crimes. To this effect, he was a cosponsor on the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (01-HR1343).207

Cory Booker (New Jersey, D) Cory Booker has served as the junior Senator of New Jersey since 2013.208 He previously served as mayor of the city of Newark, as well as on the Newark city council.209 Booker has made criminal justice reform one of his priorities in the Senate. He is a co-sponsor for both the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015 as well as the STATES Act,210 and has sponsored his own marijuana legalization bill, the Marijuana Justice Act.211 He has also introduce the Fair Chance Act, which sought to help recently released individuals obtain employment.212 Booker also introduced the Police Reporting of Information, Data and Evidence (PRIDE) Act which mandated reporting for incidents where police officers used force that resulted in bodily harm, as a measure to increase transparency and accountability.213

Tom Udall (, D) Tom Udall currently serves as the senior Senator of New Mexico.214 He previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives, and he was a federal prosecutor and the Attorney General for New Mexico.215 Udall has voted in support of additional resources to aid in reentry, and for seeking alternatives to incarceration when it comes to punishment.216 Udall has put a focus on fighting international drug trafficking along the Mexico/New Mexico border through increased funding to law enforcement programs.217 Udall has suggested states should make their own

206 https://www.menendez.senate.gov/about 207 http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Robert_Menendez_Crime.htm 208 “Cory Booker.” Wikipedia, September 18, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cory_Booker&oldid=860118428. 209 Ibid. 210 Booker, Cory A. “Cory A. Booker.” Legislation. Accessed September 21, 2018. https://www.congress.gov/member/cory-booker/B001288. 211 Booker, Cory. “S.1689 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Marijuana Justice Act of 2017.” Webpage, August 1, 2017. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1689. 212 “Justice and Public Safety | Cory Booker | U.S. Senator for New Jersey.” Accessed September 21, 2018. https://www.booker.senate.gov/?p=issue&id=76. 213 “Booker, Boxer Introduce Bill to Bring Transparency and Accountability to Police Departments Nationwide | Cory Booker | U.S. Senator for New Jersey.” Accessed September 21, 2018. https://www.booker.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=247. 214 “Tom Udall.” Wikipedia, September 11, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tom_Udall&oldid=859103887. 215 Ibid. 216 “Tom Udall on Crime.” Accessed September 21, 2018. http://www.ontheissues.org/House/Tom_Udall_Crime.htm. 217 “Bingaman and Udall: Key Bill Funds Anti-Drug, Anti-Crime Initiatives | U.S. Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico.” Accessed September 21, 2018. https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/bingaman-and-udall- key-bill-funds-anti-drug-anti-crime-initiatives. decisions when it comes to marijuana, and further stated that he doesn’t “think it is wise for law enforcement to be expected to use its limited resources to prosecute recreational users.”218

Martin Heinrich (New Mexico, D) One of the individuals considered for Vice President on the 2016 Democratic Ticket, serves as the junior Senator for New Mexico. Before his legislative career in the Senate and previously the House, Heinrich serves as executive director to an education nonprofit and then to a public affairs consulting firm.219 Heinrich has not been vocal on criminal justice reform, but is considered a staunch Democrat vote in all areas but gun law.

Chuck Schumer (New York, D) Charles (Chuck) Schumer is the senior Senator from New York and the Senate minority leader; he has been in the Senate since 1998, and has been minority leader since 2017.220 Before he was a U.S. Senator, Schumer was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and a New York State Senator before that.221 Schumer introduced his own marijuana decriminalization bill, the Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act.222 He is also a co-sponsor on the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015,223 and he is a cosponsor of the PRIDE Act.224

Kirsten Gillibrand (New York, D) is the junior Senator from New York and has held this position since she was appointed to it in 2009, when , then a Senator for New York, was appointed Secretary of State by President Obama.225 She previously served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, as special counsel in the Department of Housing and Urban Development and as a lawyer in a Law Firm.226 Gillibrand has supported medical marijuana usage, introducing a bipartisan bill, the Compassionate Access, Research Expansion and Respect States (CARERS) Act, “to recognize that marijuana has accepted medical use, and that it is the

218 Peyser, Eve, and Matt Taylor. “Does Your Senator Think Weed Should Be Legal?” Vice (blog), April 23, 2018. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/59jqx3/which-senators-by-state-support-legal-weed. 219 https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/ 220 “Chuck Schumer.” Wikipedia, September 19, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chuck_Schumer&oldid=860326774. 221 Ibid. 222 Schumer, Charles. “Text - S.3174 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act.” Webpage, June 28, 2018. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/3174/text. 223 Grassley, Chuck. “S.2123 - 114th Congress (2015-2016): Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015.” Webpage, October 26, 2015. https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/2123. 224 Schumer, Charles E. “Charles E. Schumer.” Legislation. Accessed September 21, 2018. https://www.congress.gov/member/charles-schumer/S000148. 225 “Kirsten Gillibrand.” Wikipedia, September 17, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kirsten_Gillibrand&oldid=860013547. 226 Ibid. states’ responsibility to set medical marijuana policy.”227 She is also a co-sponsor for Cory Booker’s Marijuana Justice Act.228 She has supported federal grants for law enforcement agencies to develop body camera policy.229 Senator Gillibrand has als supported job training programs for recently released individuals.230

Richard Burr (North Carolina, R) Descended from the same family as historic Vice President Aaron Burr, sits as the senior Senator from North Carolina. He initially took office in 2005, and presently chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee. Previously, Burr was a House Representative and the sales manager of a lawn equipment distributor. The Senator’s voting record indicates a staunch opposition to rehabilitation and has sympathized with policies expanding the prison system.231 He is one of the six founding congressmen of the Faith and Justice Fellowship, which trains prison staff, prisoners, and volunteers with a -informed approach to anti-recidivism and advances policy along the same lines.232

Thom Tillis (North Carolina, R) is the junior Senator of North Carolina, and has held this position since 2015.233 He previously was the speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives and worked at IBM before that.234 Tillis is a co-sponsor on the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015.235 Tillis has spoken out in favor of bipartisan solutions to create meaningful pathways to reentry for previously incarcerated people.236 Thom Tillis recognizes issues of police misconduct, but is cautious about painting in broad strokes. He stated in a press release “Law enforcement officers are entrusted with a tremendous responsibility; that is why we hold them to such a high standard. With that said, there are a small number of officers who have not lived up to that standard. When officers’ actions violate their duty, justice should be served in accordance with our legal system.

227 “Medical Marijuana | Kirsten Gillibrand | U.S. Senator for New York.” Accessed September 22, 2018. https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/issues/medical-marijuana. 228 Gillibrand, Kirsten E. “Kirsten E. Gillibrand.” Legislation. Accessed September 22, 2018. https://www.congress.gov/member/kirsten-gillibrand/G000555. 229 Ibid. 230 “Gillibrand Announces $300,000 Job Training Grant For Fortune Society | Kirsten Gillibrand | U.S. Senator for New York.” Accessed September 22, 2018. https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/2011/07/19/gillibrand-announces-300-000-job-training-grant- for-fortune-society-1. 231 http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Richard_Burr_Crime.htm 232 https://www.prisonfellowship.org/about/ 233 “Thom Tillis.” Wikipedia, September 21, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thom_Tillis&oldid=860519214. 234 Ibid. 235 Grassley, Chuck. “S.2123 - 114th Congress (2015-2016): Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015.” Webpage, October 26, 2015. https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/2123. 236 “Senator Tillis Speaks About Criminal Justice Reform.” Senator Thom Tillis. Accessed September 22, 2018. /public/index.cfm/2017/2/senator-tillis-speaks-about-criminal-justice-reform. However, these incidents should not be a license for people to advance a political agenda by unfairly casting all law enforcement officers in a negative light.”237

John Hoeven (, R) Originally taking office in 2011, is the senior Senator for North Dakota. Prior to the Senate, Hoevan was the . Prior yet, he was the President of the only state-owned bank in America – the Bank of North Dakota.238 Senator Hoevan takes a States- Rights approach to criminal justice, finding that drug control and similar policies should not be federally mandated. Further, he supports the use of block grant funding to power crime programs, further indicating his policy line on the matter. He has reported that he believes the prisons system needs to be developed further, and opportunities for parole restricted.239

Kevin Cramer (North Dakota, R) is the junior Senator from North Dakota, elected just this year. Prior, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives for North Dakota’s at-large congressional district from 2013 to 2018 and one the North Dakota Public Service Commission from 2003 until 2012.240 New to the Senate Cramer does not have a public stance specifically towards criminal justice, however he was instrumental in the passing of H.R. 3009, the Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act which prevents Sanctuary cities or those with like laws from receiving federal funds.241 Cramer’s professed stance and voting history suggest he supports increased security surrounding undocumented immigrants (H.R.s 3002, 3011, and 2092 and national security, as well as promotion of military and guns rights.242 Other key votes in which Cramer aimed to enable law enforcement include H.R. 2664 and H.R. 2480, both promoting use of law enforcement in the prevention of trafficking.243

237 Observer, Charlotte. “Senator Tillis: ‘Us vs. Them’ Rhetoric toward Police Only Divides Nation.” Senator Thom Tillis. Accessed September 22, 2018. /public/index.cfm/2016/8/us-vs-them-rhetoric-toward-police-only-divides- nation. 238 https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/ 239 http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/John_Hoeven_Crime.htm 240 “Kevin Cramer.” Wikipedia, November 12, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kevin_Cramer&oldid=868522385. 241 “Cramer - House Passes H.R. 3009, the Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act.” Congressman Kevin Cramer, July 23, 2015. https://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-house-passes-hr-3009-the-enforce-the- law-for-sanctuary-cities-act. 242 “Kevin Cramer for U.S. Senate | Issues.” Accessed December 1, 2018. https://kevincramer.org/issues/. 243 “CRAMER: House Continues Its Work on Anti-Trafficking Efforts | Congressman Kevin Cramer.” Accessed December 1, 2018. https://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-house-continues-its-work-on-anti- trafficking-efforts. (Ohio, D) In which Senator Brown is the senior Senator of Ohio, a position he has held since 2006.244 He previously served in the US House of Representatives and the Ohio legislature.245 Brown has been critical of mass incarceration and noted the need for increased diversion and alternatives to incarceration to prevent the system from continuously expanding.246 However, he has also voted in favor of truth in sentencing laws, which remove parole as an option and force convicted persons to serve their entire sentence, many of which are mandatory sentences.247 However, this was a long time ago, and his views have likely evolved on the issue. While Brown supports medical marijuana, he is skeptical about legalizing recreational marijuana.248

Rob Portman (Ohio, R) serves as the junior Senator for Ohio, and took up his post in 2011. Before he joined the Senate, Portman was a Trade Representative with the Bush Administration and the then the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.249 Portman had previously been a strong proponent of a tough-on-crime approach, preferring prosecution and protecting the death penalty. Despite that history, he has joined on as an introducing cosponsor of the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act.250 Furthermore, he joined another bipartisan effort to introduce the Second Chance Act with Senator .251 These efforts make clear his evolving and bipartisan approach to criminal justice reform.

Jim Inhofe (, R) is the senior Senator of Oklahoma, and has been in the Senate since 1994.252 He previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives and as the Mayor of Tulsa.253 Inhofe has focused on diverting juveniles from involvement with the justice system,254 and diversion

244 “Sherrod Brown.” Wikipedia, November 21, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sherrod_Brown&oldid=869887221. 245 Ibid. 246 “Sherrod Brown on Crime.” Accessed November 27, 2018. http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Sherrod_Brown_Crime.htm. 247 Ibid. 248 Mar 14, Melissa Sherrard |, 2018 | Learn, and Politics. “Marijuana on the Midterms: Where Sherrod Brown (D- OH) Stands on Cannabis Legalization.” Civilized, March 14, 2018. https://www.civilized.life/articles/sherrod- brown-stands-on-marijuana/. 249 https://www.portman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/biography 250 http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Rob_Portman_Crime.htm 251 https://www.portman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/11/portman-leahy-introduce-second-chance- reauthorization-act-to-help-ex-offenders-call-for-action-as-part-of-criminal-justice-reform 252 “Jim Inhofe.” Wikipedia, September 9, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jim_Inhofe&oldid=858700894. 253 Ibid. 254 “Casey, Inhofe, Peters and Vitter Introduce Criminal Justice Reform Legislation That Seeks to Blunt School to Prison Pipeline.” Sen. Bob Casey. Accessed September 22, 2018. programs for individuals with mental health diagnoses, indicating a stance in favor of diversion for vulnerable populations.255 Inhofe has cosponsored legislation seeking to increase penalties for violence against police officers.256 While he has not spoken vocally about sentencing reform and legalization of marijuana, it appears that he is against marijuana legalization.257

James Lankford (Oklahoma, R) serves alongside Jim Inhofe as the junior Senator for Oklahoma, first joining the body in 2015. Before this Senate seat and a term as a House Representative for Oklahoma, Lankford worked as a specialist for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.258 Senator Lankford was the chief sponsor of S.Res.440, which designates April of 2018 as “Second Chance Month” for criminal offenders. On he wrote “1 in 4 American adults has a criminal record. 2.7 million kids have a parent in prison. The US should enforce the , but also encourage redemption, restoration & #SecondChances [sic].”259

Ron Wyden (, D) holds the senior Senator seat for Oregon, and has been with the Senate since 1996. Before a legislative career in both bodies of Congress, Wyden also was a lawyer, a professor, and a nonprofit director.260 Wyden is an active member of the criminal justice debate, and has submitted many controversial bills to reform elements of the system. He was a cosponsor of the Democracy Restoration Act, which would reinfranchise felons, the Smarter Sentencing Act, which allows Judges to consider below-minimum sentencing for nonviolent drug crimes, and the End Racial and Religious Profiling Act which would increase oversight and improve training for police officers with regards to profiling.261 Furthermore, Wyden was the first Senator to back Cory Booker’s decriminalization of marjiuna bill, the Marijuana Justice Act.262

https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-inhofe-peters-and-vitter-introduce-criminal-justice-reform- legislation-that-seeks-to-blunt-school-to-prison-pipeline. 255 “Federal ‘Cures Act’ Could Help Bring Needed Change to Oklahoma’s Mental Health System, Leaders Say.” NewsOK.com, December 7, 2016. https://newsok.com/article/5530071/federal-cures-act-could-help-bring-needed- change-to-oklahomas-mental-health-system-leaders-say/. 256 Toomey, Pat. “S.1085 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Thin Blue Line Act.” Webpage, May 10, 2017. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1085. 257 Peyser, Eve, and Matt Taylor. “Does Your Senator Think Weed Should Be Legal?” Vice (blog), April 23, 2018. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/59jqx3/which-senators-by-state-support-legal-weed. 258 https://www.lankford.senate.gov/ 259 https://twitter.com/senatorlankford/status/989867445820289026 260 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Wyden 261 https://www.wyden.senate.gov/issues/equality-and-justice 262 https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-becomes-first-senate-cosponsor-of-landmark-bill- to-end-federal-prohibition-of-marijuana (Oregon, D) Jeff Merkley has been the junior Senator from ORegon since 2009.263 He previously was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Oregon House of Representatives.264 Merkley is a co-sponsor on Cory Booker’s Marijuana Justice Act, and supports medical marijuana.265 He has co-sponsored bipartisan legislation that would allow judges to use more discretion and avoid mandatory minimums in certain cases.266 Merkley supports alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent crimes and programs that rehabilitate offenders during and after their incarceration.267

Bob Casey Jr. (, D) Bob Casey holds the seat as senior Senator from Pennsylvania. Elected first in 2007, he had been both the Auditor General and Treasurer for his state previously.268 Senator Casey has consistently voted for measures to increase oversight on the criminal justice system and against its expansion. He notably is supportive of the death penalty despite his orthodox liberal voting record. Notably, he was one of the original cosponsors of the Second Chance Act of 2007 (08- S.1060) indicating a strong preference for reentry and anti-recidivism programs.269

Pat Toomey (Pennsylvania, R) is the junior Senator from Pennsylvania, a position he has held since 2010.270 He previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives and was a Wall Street banker before that.271 Toomey has advocated for law enforcement officials, stating on his website that “Police Lives Also Matter.”272 He has introduced the Thin Blue Line act, which would increase the penalty for attacking a law enforcement official, including it as an aggravating factor in favor of

263 “Jeff Merkley.” Wikipedia, September 12, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jeff_Merkley&oldid=859189865. 264 Ibid. 265 “Merkley Cosponsors Landmark Bill to End Federal Prohibition of Marijuana | U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon.” Accessed September 22, 2018. https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-cosponsors- landmark-bill-to-end-federal-prohibition-of-marijuana. 266 “Leahy, with Senators Rand Paul and Jeff Merkley, Introduces Bipartisan, Bicameral Sentencing Reform Bill In The Senate | U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy of .” Accessed September 22, 2018. https://www.leahy.senate.gov/press/leahy-with-senators-rand-paul-and-jeff-merkley-introduces-bipartisan- bicameral-sentencing-reform-bill-in-the-senate. 267 “Jeff Merkley on Crime.” Accessed September 22, 2018. http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Jeff_Merkley_Crime.htm. 268 https://www.casey.senate.gov/about/bob 269 http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Bob_Casey_Crime.htm 270 “Pat Toomey.” Wikipedia, September 19, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pat_Toomey&oldid=860314146. 271 Ibid. 272 “Public Safety | Pat Toomey | U.S. Senator for Pennsylvania.” Accessed September 23, 2018. https://www.toomey.senate.gov/?p=issue&id=51. imposing the federal death penalty.273 He has voted against alternative sentencing and in favor of increased prosecution of juvenile offenders.274 Toomey supports medical marijuana in the case that research shows it is effective, but is against recreational usage.275

Jack Reed (Rhode Island, D) Jack Reed is the senior Senator from Rhode Island; he was first elected to the Senate in 1996.276 Before serving in the Senate, he was a member of the U.S. House of representatives, and served in the Army before that.277 Senator Reed co-sponsored legislation that provided more resources towards reentry and rehabilitation programs.278 He also supported extensions and additional funding for community policing through the COPS program.279 Reed has taken a middle of the line approach when it comes to marijuana reform; he support medical marijuana, but has not completely come out in favor of decriminalization for recreational purposes. His spokesman stated on his behalf that Senator Reed “believes that federal policy should continue to recognize legitimate state policies on marijuana, and that Attorney General Sessions should focus law enforcement efforts on combating more critical drug problems... rather than targeting individuals and businesses in full compliance with state law regarding medical marijuana.”280

Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island, D) sits as the junior Senator from Rhode Island after assuming office in 2007. Following his grandfather and father, both also Sheldon Whitehouse, into work in the government, Senator Whitehouse has also served as the Attorney General of Rhode Island.281 A cosponsor of both bipartisan efforts, the Second Chance Act and the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act, Whitehouse is an ardent supporter of criminal justice reforms. Speaking on the matter, he affirmed “I’m a firm believer in re-entry programs that help people released from prison find jobs, housing, and education and turn their lives around. I also strongly support drug treatment and intervention initiatives, like drug courts, that offer alternative sentencing for non- violent, drug-related offenses.”282

273 Ibid. 274 “Pat Toomey on Crime.” Accessed September 23, 2018. http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Pat_Toomey_Crime.htm. 275 Peyser, Eve, and Matt Taylor. “Does Your Senator Think Weed Should Be Legal?” Vice (blog), April 23, 2018. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/59jqx3/which-senators-by-state-support-legal-weed. 276 “Jack Reed (Rhode Island Politician).” Wikipedia, September 5, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jack_Reed_(Rhode_Island_politician)&oldid=858240834. 277 Ibid. 278 “Jack Reed on Crime.” Accessed September 23, 2018. http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Jack_Reed_Crime.htm. 279 Ibid. 280 Peyser, Eve, and Matt Taylor. “Does Your Senator Think Weed Should Be Legal?” Vice (blog), April 23, 2018. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/59jqx3/which-senators-by-state-support-legal-weed. 281 https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/about/biography 282 http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Sheldon_Whitehouse_Crime.htm

Lindsey Graham (South Carolina, R) Lindsey Graham is the senior Senator for South Carolina, picking up the seat in 2003 following . Before a legislative career in both bodies of Congress as well as in South Carolina State House, Graham was an air force lawyer.283 Senator Graham has been an active contributor in the debate on criminal justice, and has been a cosponsor on major bipartisan efforts like the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015. More recently, he was a driving force behind the introduction of the First Step Act, again with bipartisan support. The Act reduces penalties down from life in prison for repeat offenders, incorporates firearm charges into drug crime, and allows retroactive revision of historically harsh crack cocaine charges. Graham characterized the First Step Act as "the most important bipartisan piece of legislation in the Congress today," and has successfully lobbied the President’s support for the bill.284

Tim Scott (South Carolina, R) Timothy (Tim) Scott is the junior Senator from South Carolina, a seat he has held since 2013.285 He previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the South Carolina General Assembly.286 Scott is a co-sponsor on the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015.287 Scott has introduced legislation surrounding body cameras and increased documentation of police encounters that result in civilian casualties, saying that such legislation protects civilians and officers alike.288

John Thune (South Dakota, R) holds the seat of senior Senator from South Dakota, first elected in 2005. He presently is the Senate Majority Whip. Before a career in both the House and the Senate for South Dakota, Thune was executive director of the South Dakota Republicans, and the Railroad Director of South Dakota.289 The Senator has not made strong statements regarding his stance on the current system of criminal justice, but he was a cosponsor on the Crime Victim restitution and Court Fee Intercept Act of 2011 which sought to make court fees levies in a standard and fair manner.290

283 https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/biography 284 https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/lindsey-graham-rand-paul-bullish-on-the-senate-passing- criminal-justice-reform 285 “.” Wikipedia, September 5, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tim_Scott&oldid=858247225. 286 Ibid. 287 Grassley, Chuck. “S.2123 - 114th Congress (2015-2016): Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015.” Webpage, October 26, 2015. https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/2123. 288 “Criminal Justice | U.S. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina.” Accessed September 24, 2018. https://www.scott.senate.gov/issues/criminal-justice. 289 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Thune 290 http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/John_Thune_Crime.htm (South Dakota, R) Mike Rounds has been the junior Senator of South Dakota since 2015.291 He previously served as the Governor of South Dakota, and as a member of the State Senate for South Dakota.292 Rounds has supported harsher penalties for those who commit violence against a police .293 He seems very resistant to marijuana, even for medical purposes; he has stated that perhaps the key chemical in marijuana could be extracted and used for medicinal purposes, but that giving out marijuana is unwise.294 Rounds has not been vocal about his stances on criminal justice reform, but the limited information available suggests he leans very conservative on the issue.

Lamar Alexander (Tennessee, R) is the senior Senator for Tennessee, serving alongside . He first joined the body in 2003, but was an active member of politics before as the Governor of Tennessee as well as Secretary of Education to the late George H. Bush. Senator Alexander has supported decreasing parole opportunities in such instances as armed robbery and takes a harsh stance against drug crime, at one point even suggesting the creation of a new wing of the armed services specifically to fight drug crime and distribution.295 296

Marsha Blackburn (Tennessee, R) is the Tennessee junior senator as of the 2018 election cycle, becoming Tennessee’s first woman Senator.297 A woman of business sales and management and self- described “hard-core, card-carrying Tennessee conservative”, Blackburn served as Tennessee’s 7th District House Representative from 2002 to 2018, serving on a number of committees, namely the Committee of Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Judiciary. She has a history of voting along party lines, opposing the Senate version of the Violence Against Women Act, Obamacare, and net neutrality while supporting President Trump’s temporary ban on travel and immigration by nationals from seven majority-Muslim countries and gun rights activism.298 In terms of criminal justice reform, Blackburn has been recorded saying “When I talk to my sheriffs, that’s what they want us to do — to look at these recidivism rates and the impact it has on families and children in these families and then begin to think through the reform

291 “Mike Rounds.” Wikipedia, September 5, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mike_Rounds&oldid=858249096. 292 Ibid. 293 Toomey, Pat. “S.1085 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Thin Blue Line Act.” Webpage, May 10, 2017. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1085. 294 Peyser, Eve, and Matt Taylor. “Does Your Senator Think Weed Should Be Legal?” Vice (blog), April 23, 2018. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/59jqx3/which-senators-by-state-support-legal-weed. 295 http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Lamar_Alexander_Crime.htm 296 http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Lamar_Alexander_Drugs.htm 297 “Marsha Blackburn.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Nov. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsha_Blackburn#2018_United_States_Senate_election

298 Ibid component”.299 In her time as House Representative, she also voted against enforcement against anti- hate crimes and expanding service for offenders’ reentry into society.300

John Cornyn (, R) serves in the Senate as the senior member from Texas since his 2002 election. Beyond his Senate career, he was both Attorney General for his state and a justice on its supreme court.301 Senator Cornyn regularly contributes bipartisan bills on criminal justice reform to the Senate. He was a cosponsor on the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015, the CORRECTIONS Act of 2017, and the First Step Act.302 “The FIRST STEP Act is modeled after successful reforms that states like Texas have implemented to rehabilitate low-risk offenders and prepare them to reenter society," Sen. Cornyn said. "This legislation will help shut the revolving door of recidivism to save taxpayer dollars and reduce crime.”

299 Easley, Jonathan. “GOP Lawmakers Confident on Prison Reform Ahead of Midterms.” , The Hill, 28 Jan. 2018, thehill.com/regulation/371130-gop-lawmakers-confident-on-prison-reform-ahead- of-midterms. 300 “Marsha Blackburn on Crime.” On the Issues: Every Political Leader on Every Issue, 11 July 2016, www.ontheissues.org/House/Marsha_Blackburn_Crime.htm

301 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cornyn 302 https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/content/news/cornyn-introduces-revised-senate-prison-reform-bill Ted Cruz (Texas, R) Previous presidential candidate Ted Cruz has been the junior senator of Texas since 2013. Prior, he was the Solicitor General of Texas under George W. Bush between 2003 and 2008. Before 2003, he served as Deputy Attorney General at the U.S. Justice Department and Director of the Office of Policy Planning at the Federal Trade Commision before that. Being part of private practice court proceedings before his political career, Cruz has a fairly developed stance on criminal justice. Though a defender of capital punishment, he has called for an end to “overcriminalization, harsh mandatory minimums, and the demise of jury trials”303and is a staunch supporter of court decisions like Medellin v. Texas304. Cruz is also known to have polarizing views and inflammatory opinions, such as his claim that “the simple and undeniable fact is the overwhelming majority of violent criminals are Democrats”305. Cruz has been outspokenly against the vilification of police and legalization of marijuana306. In his private practice, he has represented the national Rifle Association and protested measures.307

Mitt Romney (Utah, R) is the newly elected junior senator of Utah, but he is perhaps better known as the former Governor of Massachusetts and presidential nominee of the Republican Party for the 2012 election.308 Prior to getting involved in politics, Romney was a successful businessman.309 Romney has historically been a staunch conservative on crime related issues, espousing a “tough on crime approach,” but his recent campaign supported drug addiction treatment for opioid addicts who wanted to get better.310 That being said, Romney has been critical of the notion that “mass incarceration” exists in our country, and will likely tow a conservative line.311

303 Campbell, Colin. “How Republican Presidential Candidates Want to Reform the Criminal Justice System.” , Insider Inc., 28 Apr. 2015, www.businessinsider.com/how-2016-candidates-want-to- reform-criminal-justice-2015-4. 304 “Ted Cruz.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Nov. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Cruz. 305 Collins, Eliza. “Cruz: 'Overwhelming Majority of Violent Criminals Are Democrats'.” POLITICO, POLITICO LLC, 1 Nov. 2015, 7:19PM EST, www.politico.com/story/2015/11/ted-cruz-planned-parenthood- democrats-crime-216288. 306 Ibid 307 “Republican Candidates on Criminal Justice: A Primer.” The Marshall Project: Nonprofit Journalism about Criminal Justice, 14 Jan. 2016, 7:15am, www.themarshallproject.org/2016/01/14/republican-candidates- on-criminal-justice-a-primer?ref=collections. 308 “Mitt Romney.” Wikipedia, November 30, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mitt_Romney&oldid=871381285. 309 Ibid. 310 “Issues - Opioid Crisis.” Romney For Utah. Accessed December 1, 2018. https://www.romneyforutah.com/issues-opioid-crisis/. 311 Tani, Maxwell. “Mitt Romney Slams Hillary Clinton’s Call for ‘mass Incarceration’ to End.” Business Insider. Accessed December 1, 2018. https://www.businessinsider.com/mitt-romney-slams-hillary-clinton-for-criminal- justice-speech-2015-5. Mike Lee (Utah, R) Mike Lee sits as the junior Senator from Utah, first joining the senate in 2011. Prior to his Senate race, Lee was an attorney for a multitude of firms and organizations. His experiences as an attorney have informed his Justice policies, and led to his cosponsorship of the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015. Lee has written about his intuition for the Act that “In past decades our criminal justice system was undermined by sentences that were too lenient. Too many violent felons were returning to the streets to do harm too soon. But now, decades later, some mandatory minimum sentences are too harsh. And people are learning that a criminal justice system can be just as undermined by sentences that are too harsh.”312

Patrick Leahy (Vermont, D) Patrick Leahy is the senior Senator of Vermont, a position he was first elected to in 1974, making him the most senior member of the Senate.313 Before he was elected to the Senate, he was a State’s Attorney in Vermont.314 Leahy is a co-sponsor on the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015,315 and he worked to pass the Fair Sentencing Act back in 2010.316 He has supported increasing judicial discretion when it comes to mandatory minimums.317 Leahy has also supported funding for community based initiative to combat drug usage, prior to involvement with the justice system, and has supported programs that aid in reentry through training, support, and education.318

Bernie Sanders (Vermont, I) is the junior Senator for Vermont, well known for his 2016 Democratic nominee race against Hillary Clinton and record as the longest serving Independent in American history. Before his terms in the House and the Senate, Sanders was the Mayor of Burlington, Vermont. The Senator has been vocal about the racial biases he sees in the criminal justice system both in law enforcement but also in disproportionate incarceration and sentencing. In his book Our Revolution, Sanders writes “In the U.S. today we have more people in jail than any other country on earth. We are spending $80 billion a year to lock up 2.2 million Americans, disproportionately African-American, Latino, and Native American. To my mind, it makes a lot

312 https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/justice-reform 313 “Patrick Leahy.” Wikipedia, September 21, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Patrick_Leahy&oldid=860561756. 314 Ibid. 315 Grassley, Chuck. “S.2123 - 114th Congress (2015-2016): Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015.” Webpage, October 26, 2015. https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/2123. 316 “Criminal Justice | U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont.” Accessed September 24, 2018. https://www.leahy.senate.gov/issues/criminal-justice. 317 Ibid. 318 Ibid. more sense to invest in education and jobs than in jails and incarceration. It's time for real criminal justice reform.”319

Mark Warner (Virginia, D) is the senior Senator from Virginia and has held this position since 2008.320 He previously served as the Governor of Virginia.321 Warner is a co-sponsor on the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015.322 Warner has been a close ally of police forces in Virginia and was previously endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police in Virginia.323 He has spoken out about the need to provide economic opportunity to those reentering society after serving time in carceral settings.324

Tim Kaine (Virginia, D) serves as the junior Senator for Virginia alongside Mark Warner, and is notable for his place as the 2016 Democratic Vice-Presidential nominee. Senator Kaine also was elected previously as the Mayor of Richmond, and then the Governor of the state of Virginia.325 Kaine is one of the cosponsors of the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act, on which Kaine noted “Our country has found its way into a position where we are over-incarcerating our young men and women without taking a look at every single individual case, exploding our U.S. prison population, and undermining faith in our criminal justice system.”326

Patty Murray (Washington, D) is the senior Senator from Washington State since her 1992 election; she is the first woman to represent Washington State to the Senate. Famous for taking an insult and turning it into her campaign rally cry, the “Mom In Tennis Shoes” was previously a member of the school board and the .327 Patty has voiced support for the work of other democratic representatives in bills like the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Acts, urging For too long, one-size-fits-all punishments have put so many Americans behind bars for long periods of time for drug use when treatment and rehabilitation would better serve them and their communities. We should provide flexibility in sentencing for low-level offenders while

319 http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Bernie_Sanders_Crime.htm 320 “Mark Warner.” Wikipedia, September 11, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mark_Warner&oldid=859072718. 321 Ibid. 322 “Sen. Warner Joins Bipartisan Sentencing Reform Effort.” Mark R. Warner. Accessed September 24, 2018. https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2015/12/sen-warner-joins-bipartisan-sentencing-reform-effort. 323 “Mark Warner on Crime.” Accessed September 24, 2018. http://www.ontheissues.org/Celeb/Mark_Warner_Crime.htm. 324 Ibid. 325 https://www.kaine.senate.gov/about 326 https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-cosponsors-bipartisan-sentencing-reform-legislation 327 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patty_Murray maintaining tough sentences for those who deserve it, such as domestic abusers, members, and other violent criminals, to help keep the most dangerous offenders off our streets.”

Maria Cantwell (Washington, D) is the junior Senator from Washington, a position she was elected to in 2000.328 She previously was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.329 While she supported tough mandatory sentences through “three strikes” laws during her time in the House, she may have evolved on the issue to stand with her party more.330 Cantwell has been a strong advocate for community policing through the COPS program and attempted to address the methamphetamine epidemic through legislation.331 Cantwell has defended states’ rights to craft their own policy when it comes to recreational marijuana usage.332

Joe Manchin (, D) has served as the senior Senator of West Virginia since 2010.333 He previously served as the Governor of West Virginia.334 Though he is a Democrat, he is one of the most moderate, and perhaps even conservative, Democrats and represents a very conservative electorate.335 Indeed, he can be characterized as a moderate on criminal justice issues. He was a cosponsor on the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015,336 and helped institute an accelerated parole program that allowed eligible nonviolent offenders serving prison time get early parole, speeding up their reintegration process.337

Shelley Moore Capito (West Virginia, R) serves as the junior Senator for West Virginia. Herself the daughter of a West Virginia Governor, Capito has served in both the House of Representatives and the West Virginia House of Delegates prior to her Senate career. She is the first woman Senator from

328 “Maria Cantwell.” Wikipedia, September 9, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Maria_Cantwell&oldid=858765520. 329 Ibid. 330 “Maria Cantwell on Crime.” Accessed September 24, 2018. http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Maria_Cantwell_Crime.htm. 331 “Public Safety | U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington.” Accessed September 24, 2018. https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/issues/public-safety. 332 Peyser, Eve, and Matt Taylor. “Does Your Senator Think Weed Should Be Legal?” Vice (blog), April 23, 2018. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/59jqx3/which-senators-by-state-support-legal-weed. 333 “Joe Manchin.” Wikipedia, November 20, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Joe_Manchin&oldid=869758760. 334 Ibid. 335 Ibid. 336 Grassley, Chuck. “Cosponsors - S.2123 - 114th Congress (2015-2016): Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015.” Webpage, October 26, 2015. https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/2123/cosponsors. 337 “WV Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.” Accessed December 1, 2018. https://dcr.wv.gov/services/offenderservices/Pages/accelerated-parole.aspx. West Virginia.338 Given her short tenure thus far in the Senate, Capito can be flexible with regards to her approach to conservative criminal justice policy.

Ron Johnson (, R) Initially elected in 2010, Ron Johnson sits as the senior Senator from Wisconsin. Before his Senate career, Johnson was the CEO of a polyester and plastics manufacturing business.339 The Senator has been referred to as a ‘political blank slate’ due to his minimal political history and limited voting record. He has submitted, alongside Cory Booker, the Fair Chance Act. This Act would ban federal contractors and employers from asking about applicants’ criminal history, hoping to improve their employment opportunities and smooth reentry.340

Tammy Baldwin (Wisconsin, D) has served as the junior Senator of Wisconsin since 2013.341 She previously served in the Wisconsin assembly and the U.S. House of Representatives.342 Baldwin has supported increased resources towards rehabilitative efforts and looking to alternatives to incarceration.343 While criminal justice is not one of the issues she is well known for, her record indicates a set of progressive values.

Mike Enzi (, R) serves as the senior Senator for Wyoming since 1996 alongside . Initially the owner of a shoe business, Enzi won a race to become mayor of his home town, then subsequent elections for the and National Senate.344 While the Senator maintains a low profile and minimal voting record, he is noted as consistently being a stalwart conservative in all matters.

John Barrasso (Wyoming, R) John Barrasso is the junior Senator from Wyoming, a position he has held since 2007.345 Before entering politics, Barrasso has a successful career as a medical practitioner, working in orthopedics and as a physician.346 Barrasso has supported the death penalty for those who kill

338 https://www.capito.senate.gov/ 339 https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/ 340 https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/4/johnson-introduces-bipartisan-bicameral-bill- to-ban-the-box-for-federal-hiring 341 “Tammy Baldwin.” Wikipedia, November 25, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tammy_Baldwin&oldid=870615245. 342 Ibid. 343 “Tammy Baldwin on Crime.” Accessed December 1, 2018. http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Tammy_Baldwin_Crime.htm. 344 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Enzi 345 “John Barrasso.” Wikipedia, September 14, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Barrasso&oldid=859434239. 346 Ibid. police officers.347 Barrasso is against marijuana, both in medical and recreational settings.348 Barrasso has not been very outspoken on issues relating to criminal justice reform, but from available evidence it would be safe to conclude he would take a very conservative approach.

347 “John Barrasso on Crime.” Accessed September 24, 2018. http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/John_Barrasso_Crime.htm. 348 Peyser, Eve, and Matt Taylor. “Does Your Senator Think Weed Should Be Legal?” Vice (blog), April 23, 2018. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/59jqx3/which-senators-by-state-support-legal-weed.