Democrats urge Biden to commute sentences of people affected by cocaine sentencing disparity

Source: NBC News

Dec. 16, 2024, 11:00 AM EST / Updated Dec. 16, 2024, 12:51 PM EST


WASHINGTON — Lawmakers urged President Joe Biden in a letter Monday to commute the sentences of people who are affected by disparities in sentences for offenses involving crack and powder cocaine. "I believe that this president has definitely shown himself to be someone that is willing to listen and willing to learn and decide that he would do something within his power," said Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, who led the effort.

Twenty Democratic lawmakers signed the letter, which was shared first with NBC News. They included Sen. Cory Booker, of New Jersey, and Reps. Pramila Jayapal, of Washington, and Maxine Waters and Barbara Lee, of California. Washington, D.C.'s delegate to Congress, Eleanor Holmes Norton, also signed it.

People convicted of possessing crack cocaine have historically been sentenced far more severely than if they had had the same amount of the drug in a powder form. The sentencing disparity "caused disproportionate harm to communities of color," the letter said.

The U.S. Sentencing Commission estimated that more than 3,000 people “would be eligible for immediate release if crack cocaine was sentenced the same as powder cocaine," according to the letter. More than 5,000 more people would be eligible for reduced sentences, the letter said the commission estimated.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/joe-biden/democrats-jasmine-crockett-biden-commute-sentencing-cocaine-rcna184083