Kamlager-Dove Celebrates President Biden’s Commutation of Nearly 2,500 Nonviolent Drug Sentences

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) released the following statement after President Biden commuted the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses:

 

“For decades, the American justice system disproportionately handed down longer, harsher sentences for Black and Brown individuals compared to others convicted of similar crimes. While some of these discriminatory sentencing practices have been rolled back, the sentences of these Americans remain unchanged.

 

“Today, President Biden delivered a measure of justice for nearly 2,500 people unduly targeted during the failed War on Drugs, offering these souls a fresh start and a chance to become valued members of their communities. Our justice system can often be unjust and inequitable–yet, throughout his presidency, President Biden has demonstrated an enduring commitment to rectifying historical wrongs within our justice system. 

“I applaud President Biden for taking this historic action as well as his Administration’s efforts to prioritize rehabilitation over punishment without purpose. We must carry on the torch passed by President Biden and pass my bill, the Second Look Act, to address these sentencing disparities comprehensively. As we continue to address these inequities, I will use my voice on the House Judiciary Committee to ensure that the legislation I support considers the implications for all Americans, particularly those historically excluded.”