Project for Opportunity and Safety

Grassley’s work on sentencing reform is promising

Originally appeared in the Des Moines Register
By: Mary Reinking

Our country seems to be swimming in an ocean of political partisanship. It feels as though there is no room in Washington for true conversation, compromise or work toward creating and passing any positive bipartisan legislation. Partisan gridlock is taking over our country.

It was recently announced that Sen. Chuck Grassley has been working with senators on both sides of the aisle to find workable solutions, compromises and make major steps forward in sentencing reform, specifically the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act, S. 2123. This legislation reduces mandatory minimum sentencing, restores sentencing authority to judges, and decreases recidivism rates.

It is encouraging to see our senator take the lead in working to transform the criminal justice system. I applaud Sen. Grassley for stepping into true leadership by being willing to cross party lines in this situation. I hope he continues to see the importance of bipartisan action, and he and our other representatives work toward ending partisan gridlock rather than encouraging it.

By: Mary Reinking, Letter to the Editor