REP. JEFFRIES PASSES BIPARTISAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM LEGISLATION

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On May 22, 2018, the House of Representatives passed the FIRST STEP Act, a substantial prison reform bill. The bill was sponsored by Representative Jeffries and Representative Doug Collins (R-GA). It garnered the support of both the National Urban League and the Koch brothers. The FIRST STEP Act authorizes $250 million over the next five years to develop and execute new programs in education, vocational training and mental health counseling, thereby positioning formerly-incarcerated individuals for a successful reintegration into society. The bill earned bipartisan support and easily passed the House by a landslide margin of 360-59. It is now pending before the Senate.

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Rep. Jeffries spent Father’s Day at an ICE Detention Center in Elizabeth, N.J., listening to dads separated from their children as a result of the President’s immigration policy. Along with several other Democratic lawmakers, the Congressman visited the facility, where, after being delayed for an hour and a half, he was able to meet with several of the parents in custody. After hearing their stories of fleeing danger in their home countries only to be detained and separated from their children upon reaching the United States, Congressman Jeffries demanded an immediate end to the detention policy he views as immoral, ineffective and indefensible.

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Republicans recently held a hearing on former FBI Agent and Army officer Peter Strzok, where Rep. Jeffries spoke in widely-televised remarks. In his comments, the Congressman chastised them for holding a phony hearing and condemned the use of a hearing to distract from the real and ongoing criminal investigation into collusion between the Trump Campaign and Russia. The Strzok investigation “is not even meritorious of an investigation by Ace Ventura, pet detective,” said Congressman Jeffries, “let alone 75 members of the United States Congress.”

 REP. JEFFRIES DEMANDS ACTION ON
GUN SAFETY

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In a speech on the House floor, Rep. Jeffries recently addressed the issue of gun violence in America. “Enough is enough,” he said in his remarks, calling for immediate gun violence prevention legislation, and blasting conservatives for their continued refusal to take action and save lives. The overwhelming number of Americans support common-sense measures such as universal background checks. Yet, as the Congressman outlined in his speech, ongoing obstruction on gun safety measures clearly indicates that the majority in the House continues to function as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Rifle Association. “We don’t work for the NRA,” said Congressman Jeffries. “We don’t work for the gun manufacturers. We don’t work for the merchants of death. We work for the American people and it’s time for us to finally address the gun violence epidemic in America.”

REP. JEFFRIES ADVOCATES FOR $70 BILLION IN NYCHA AND PUBLIC HOUSING UPGRADES

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In the immediate aftermath of stunning revelations of children exposed to lead poisoning and safety concerns in NYCHA, Congressman Jeffries led five members of Congress in support of $70 billion in federal funding to implement much-needed safety, repair and livability upgrades in public housing. As a result of problems with mold, heating and lead poisoning, NYCHA currently faces a series of lawsuits and investigations into living conditions at their facilities. With support from both House and Senate Democratic leadership, Rep. Jeffries made clear that any infrastructure plan passed by Congress must include funding for substantial public housing repairs across the nation.

With the 18-month imminent closure of the L train, which is set to impact more than 225,000 Brooklynites who ride this subway line daily, Rep. Jeffries is pushing the MTA to implement alternative travel options to improve the commute. The L train is a primary travel artery between South Brooklyn and Manhattan and is a key component of New York’s transit infrastructure. Without action from the MTA, many of the Congressman’s constituents will be substantially inconvenienced. He will not allow that to happen.