Today, the Senate is debating much-needed reforms to our criminal justice system. The First Step Act, largely based on my prison reform legislation, is modeled after successful reforms in Texas.
In 2005, Texas prisons were bursting at the seams. State legislators made smart changes, saving taxpayer money and preparing inmates for life outside prison. Over the next decade, crime plummeted by more than 34 percent, and the incarceration rate dropped by nearly 23 percent. Texas didn’t quit being tough on crime, however. We started to be smart on crime.
For years, I’ve been working to take this successful Texas model nationwide. It’s time we stop the cycle of incarceration plaguing communities across our country. This legislation is our opportunity to just do that.
Last night, the Senate passed the Farm Bill, which includes a number of priorities I’ve heard about from Texas farmers and ranchers. From making sure one bad harvest doesn’t bankrupt a family-owned farm to supporting our cotton industry after Hurricane Harvey, this legislation will keep Texas agriculture strong while ensuring food prices remain affordable and protecting our environment.
