Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick Commends President Biden’s Decision to Commute 2,500 Nonviolent Federal Sentences

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick issued the following statement on President Biden’s decision to commute 2,500 nonviolent federal sentences. 

“Today, President Biden delivered on America’s longstanding promise of equal justice under the law. His announcement to commute 2,500 unjustly harsh, nonviolent sentences showcases the necessity of merciful, moral leaders devoted to America’s pledge of fairness and equality.   

Historically, the criminal justice system has disproportionately harmed marginalized communities, with sentencing practices that were carefully crafted to target and place certain groups behind bars for longer periods.  Since 1983, these overly harsh drug sentences have led to a 265% increase in Florida’s prison population, a large share of whom are Black. These injustices destroyed generations of communities and families - scarring thousands of people subjected to racist policies.   

President Biden’s decision showcases the importance of critically evaluating our country’s history to amend past wrongs. No American should be subjected to different standards purely because of their background. We must go beyond the federal level and ensure that people with state-level offenses are not being subjected to disproportionately harsh sentencing laws.”  

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