On Christmas Eve 2009, the Senate Judiciary Committee was scheduled to meet in consideration of S. 1789, a bill to equalize the sentences for drug possession of powder cocaine and crack cocaine. One of these drugs is disproportionately used by wealthier and whiter Americans, and one of these drugs is disproportionately used by poorer and browner Americans. Guess which drug is associated with harsh sentences for possession of small amounts? Guess which drug is associated with lesser sentences for even dealing of larger amounts? Regardless of your opinion of drug use, the wild disparity in sentencing is a matter of injustice and deserves rectification.
At the last minute, the Senate Judiciary Committee’s meeting was postponed, and it has not been rescheduled, even though the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs is holding hearings on another topic.
The following members of the Judiciary Committee have already indicated their support by cosponsoring S. 1789. If one of these is your senator, would you consider placing a call and urging the bill’s prompt committee consideration and passage?
Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) — principal sponsor
Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-MD)
Sen. Russell Feingold (D-WI)
Sen. Al Franken (D-MN)
Sen. Edward Kaufman (D-DE)
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA)
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
The following members of the Senate Judiciary Committee have not cosponsored S. 1789. Call the offices of the senators below and urge them to restore equity to drug sentencing by adding their support to this bill:
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK)
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA)
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI)
Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ)
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY)
Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL)
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