Early next week the House of Representatives may vote on a bill to reduce the 100:1 sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine. The Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, S. 1789, would change the ratio to 18:1 and eliminate the mandatory minimum sentence for simple possession of crack cocaine - the first time a mandatory minimum sentence has been removed since the Nixon Administration! (Please read the
Washington Post editorial about the bill that appeared today!)
This historic bill would lower sentences for almost 3,000 people facing prison each year, save taxpayers $42 million in the first five years, and advance justice and restore faith in a criminal justice system that many have come to distrust. The bill has already passed the Senate so we only need the House of Representatives to pass it before it gets sent to President Obama for a signature!
FAMM has been working furiously with other groups to line up support for this bill. But your call is critical to its successful passage. We need thousands of calls to Congress to persuade representatives that their constituents want this change. Even if you've never called your member of Congress before, now is the time. Call now.
To find out who your representative is and make your call,
click here. We also provide talking points to deliver when you call.
I know that when we unleash the members of FAMM - so many of whom are affected directly by the government's outrageous sentencing laws - we can push this bill over the finish line!
Thank you so much!
Julie
Ps: For more information about S. 1789,
click here.