Dear John,

The Sentencing Project is deeply disappointed by President Biden’s surprise announcement yesterday supporting attacks on D.C.’s criminal code revision. Just last week hundreds of you who received our email denouncing the upcoming vote to reject DC’s Revised Criminal Code Act (RCCA) in the U.S. Senate utilized our take action page to tell your senators to vote NO on fear mongering and misinformation about crime and punishment. Thank you! With the President’s decision to not veto the resolution blocking the RCCA – next week’s vote, which could happen as early as Monday, is our final chance to defend the RCCA.

The bill to modernize D.C.’s criminal code is the product of 16 years of research, an expert commission, 51 public meetings, extensive public feedback, and robust negotiation. The District of Columbia is the first jurisdiction in the country to pass a second look law that doesn’t exclude anyone based on their offense or sentence. The RCCA sets an essential precedent that will help us fight to pass universal second look legislation in every state. The RCCA also contains many other critical sentencing reforms: it would abolish almost all mandatory minimums, cap maximum sentences at 45 years in prison, and end accomplice liability for felony murder – among many other important changes.

D.C. residents are unrepresented in the Senate and they need help from sentencing reform supporters across the country. Urge your Senators to vote NO on the RCCA disapproval resolution today by using our form to send them a message.