Durbin To Hold Hearing On State of Civil & Human Rights In The United States

WASHINGTON—On Tuesday, December 9^th, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights, will hold a hearing entitled “The State of Civil and Human Rights in the United States.” The hearing will examine the status of key civil and human rights issues, including criminal justice reform, voting rights, and police-community relations.

Following enactment of legislation like the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, bipartisan initiatives to protect civil and human rights have continued, including ongoing efforts to reform federal sentencing and restore federal voting rights for ex-offenders. Nonetheless, significant roadblocks remain. Racial disparities persist at many stages of the criminal justice system. Many states have enacted voting laws making it harder for minority and other voters to cast their ballots. And this year’s events in Ferguson, Missouri have highlighted the continued need to reevaluate and reform police practices, including the militarization of state and local law enforcement. This hearing will explore how Congress and the Executive Branch can build on recent successes and address ongoing civil and human rights challenges.

WHAT:             Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights,   and Human Rights hearing on “The State of Civil and Human   Rights in the United States”

WHEN:              Tuesday, December 9^th, 2014 at 2:30pm

WHERE:           Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 226

  Washington, DC 20510

Durbin is Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights. The Subcommittee has jurisdiction over all constitutional issues, and all legislation and policy related to civil rights, civil liberties and human rights. The Ranking Member of the Subcommittee is Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX).

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