Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice Reparations and Sentencing Equity Act
Policies such as the War on Drugs and sentencing disparities have disproportionately impacted Black communities, leading to mass incarceration and long-term economic harm.
Topic
Criminal Justice
The main issue area this future bill targets.
Latest Bill Update
Sep 29, 2021
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Sponsors and Scorecards
57
Linked legislators with scorecard records connected to this proposal.
Verification
1
Public source links pulled from linked bills and tracked actions.
Problem Statement
Policies such as the War on Drugs and sentencing disparities have disproportionately impacted Black communities, leading to mass incarceration and long-term economic harm.
Proposed Solution
Provide sentence reviews, expungement pathways, and financial compensation for individuals impacted by discriminatory sentencing policies, along with reintegration support.
How to Verify This Page
Start with the linked real legislation below, then open the bill sources, action updates, sponsor records, and explainers tied to this proposal.
Real Legislation
H.R. 1693 - EQUAL Act of 2021
Context: Federal • House • 117th Congress
Introduced: Mar 9, 2021
Sponsor: Rep. Jeffries, Hakeem S. [D-NY-8]
Latest Action: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Action Date: Sep 29, 2021
Source: Congress.gov
Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law Act or the EQUAL Act This bill eliminates the federal sentencing disparity between drug offenses involving crack cocaine and powder cocaine. Currently, different threshold quantities of crack cocaine and powder cocaine (e.g., 28 grams of crack cocaine and 500 grams of powder cocaine) trigger the same statutory criminal penalties. This bill eliminates the lower quantity thresholds for crack cocaine offenses. Under the bill, the same threshold quantities of crack cocaine and powder cocaine trigger the same statutory criminal penalties. The change applies to future cases and cases pending on the date of enactment. With respect to past cases, the bill authorizes resentencing of a defendant who was convicted or sentenced for a crack cocaine offense before the date of enactment.
View sponsors
Rep. Jeffries, Hakeem S. [D-NY-8]
Primary Sponsor • D • NY
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Cosponsor • D • DC
Rep. Armstrong, Kelly [R-ND-At Large]
Cosponsor • R • ND
Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
Cosponsor • R • NE
Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5]
Cosponsor • R • OK
Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]
Cosponsor • R • FL
Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]
Cosponsor • D • OR
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
Cosponsor • D • OR
Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2]
Cosponsor • D • PA
Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1]
Cosponsor • D • RI
Rep. Clark, Katherine M. [D-MA-5]
Cosponsor • D • MA
Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]
Cosponsor • D • MO
Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
Cosponsor • D • TN
Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4]
Cosponsor • R • OK
Rep. Cooper, Jim [D-TN-5]
Cosponsor • D • TN
Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2]
Cosponsor • R • TX
Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]
Cosponsor • D • PA
Rep. Demings, Val Butler [D-FL-10]
Cosponsor • D • FL
Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]
Cosponsor • D • NY
Rep. Gohmert, Louie [R-TX-1]
Cosponsor • R • TX
Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-1]
Cosponsor • R • IA
Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18]
Cosponsor • D • TX
Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large]
Cosponsor • R • SD
Rep. Jones, Mondaire [D-NY-17]
Cosponsor • D • NY
Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14]
Cosponsor • R • OH
Rep. Keller, Fred [R-PA-12]
Cosponsor • R • PA
Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-33]
Cosponsor • D • CA
Rep. Lucas, Frank D. [R-OK-3]
Cosponsor • R • OK
Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]
Cosponsor • R • SC
Rep. Malinowski, Tom [D-NJ-7]
Cosponsor • D • NJ
Rep. Maloney, Sean Patrick [D-NY-18]
Cosponsor • D • NY
Rep. Massie, Thomas [R-KY-4]
Cosponsor • R • KY
Rep. McClintock, Tom [R-CA-4]
Cosponsor • R • CA
Rep. McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R-WA-5]
Cosponsor • R • WA
Rep. Meijer, Peter [R-MI-3]
Cosponsor • R • MI
Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7]
Cosponsor • D • MD
Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-2]
Cosponsor • R • AL
Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-10]
Cosponsor • D • NY
Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5]
Cosponsor • R • SC
Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]
Cosponsor • R • UT
Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8]
Cosponsor • D • MD
Rep. Reschenthaler, Guy [R-PA-14]
Cosponsor • R • PA
Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27]
Cosponsor • R • FL
Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]
Cosponsor • D • PA
Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]
Cosponsor • D • IL
Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-28]
Cosponsor • D • CA
Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]
Cosponsor • D • VA
Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11]
Cosponsor • D • NJ
Rep. Spartz, Victoria [R-IN-5]
Cosponsor • R • IN
Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]
Cosponsor • D • WA
Rep. Taylor, Van [R-TX-3]
Cosponsor • R • TX
Rep. Timmons, William R. IV [R-SC-4]
Cosponsor • R • SC
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-13]
Cosponsor • D • MI
Rep. Trone, David J. [D-MD-6]
Cosponsor • D • MD
Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]
Cosponsor • D • GA
Rep. Yarmuth, John A. [D-KY-3]
Cosponsor • D • KY
Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large]
Cosponsor • R • AK
View linked legislator scorecards
Rep. Jeffries, Hakeem S. [D-NY-8]
Primary Sponsor • House • D • NY
Net Impact
35.20
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Cosponsor • House • D • DC
Net Impact
76.80
Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]
Cosponsor • House • D • GA
Net Impact
66.88
Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]
Cosponsor • House • D • MO
Net Impact
56.32
Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
Cosponsor • House • D • TN
Net Impact
53.92
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
Cosponsor • House • D • OR
Net Impact
47.52
Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]
Cosponsor • House • D • PA
Net Impact
47.52
Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]
Cosponsor • House • D • IL
Net Impact
47.52
Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]
Cosponsor • House • D • WA
Net Impact
47.52
Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]
Cosponsor • House • D • PA
Net Impact
46.88
Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2]
Cosponsor • House • D • PA
Net Impact
40.48
Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]
Cosponsor • House • D • NY
Net Impact
40.48
Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7]
Cosponsor • House • D • MD
Net Impact
40.48
Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18]
Cosponsor • House • D • TX
Net Impact
36.08
Rep. Clark, Katherine M. [D-MA-5]
Cosponsor • House • D • MA
Net Impact
31.68
Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8]
Cosponsor • House • D • MD
Net Impact
31.68
Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]
Cosponsor • House • D • VA
Net Impact
31.68
Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11]
Cosponsor • House • D • NJ
Net Impact
31.68
Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]
Cosponsor • House • D • OR
Net Impact
29.92
Rep. Trone, David J. [D-MD-6]
Cosponsor • House • D • MD
Net Impact
22.88
Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1]
Cosponsor • House • D • RI
Net Impact
14.08
Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4]
Cosponsor • House • R • OK
Net Impact
13.44
Rep. Cooper, Jim [D-TN-5]
Cosponsor • House • D • TN
Net Impact
13.44
Rep. Gohmert, Louie [R-TX-1]
Cosponsor • House • R • TX
Net Impact
13.44
Rep. Armstrong, Kelly [R-ND-At Large]
Cosponsor • House • R • ND
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
Cosponsor • House • R • NE
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5]
Cosponsor • House • R • OK
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]
Cosponsor • House • R • FL
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2]
Cosponsor • House • R • TX
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Demings, Val Butler [D-FL-10]
Cosponsor • House • D • FL
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-1]
Cosponsor • House • R • IA
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large]
Cosponsor • House • R • SD
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Jones, Mondaire [D-NY-17]
Cosponsor • House • D • NY
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14]
Cosponsor • House • R • OH
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Keller, Fred [R-PA-12]
Cosponsor • House • R • PA
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-33]
Cosponsor • House • D • CA
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Lucas, Frank D. [R-OK-3]
Cosponsor • House • R • OK
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]
Cosponsor • House • R • SC
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Malinowski, Tom [D-NJ-7]
Cosponsor • House • D • NJ
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Maloney, Sean Patrick [D-NY-18]
Cosponsor • House • D • NY
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Massie, Thomas [R-KY-4]
Cosponsor • House • R • KY
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. McClintock, Tom [R-CA-4]
Cosponsor • House • R • CA
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R-WA-5]
Cosponsor • House • R • WA
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Meijer, Peter [R-MI-3]
Cosponsor • House • R • MI
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-2]
Cosponsor • House • R • AL
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-10]
Cosponsor • House • D • NY
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5]
Cosponsor • House • R • SC
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]
Cosponsor • House • R • UT
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Reschenthaler, Guy [R-PA-14]
Cosponsor • House • R • PA
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27]
Cosponsor • House • R • FL
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-28]
Cosponsor • House • D • CA
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Spartz, Victoria [R-IN-5]
Cosponsor • House • R • IN
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Taylor, Van [R-TX-3]
Cosponsor • House • R • TX
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Timmons, William R. IV [R-SC-4]
Cosponsor • House • R • SC
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-13]
Cosponsor • House • D • MI
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Yarmuth, John A. [D-KY-3]
Cosponsor • House • D • KY
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large]
Cosponsor • House • R • AK
Net Impact
7.04
View action timeline
IntroReferral
Sep 29, 2021
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Judiciary Committee
Floor
Sep 28, 2021
Mr. Nadler moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
12:50:20
Floor
Sep 28, 2021
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5477-5481)
12:50:33
Floor
Sep 28, 2021
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1693.
12:50:35
Floor
Sep 28, 2021
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
13:23:23
Floor
Sep 28, 2021
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5492-5493)
14:13:02
Floor
Sep 28, 2021
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 361 - 66 (Roll no. 297).(text: CR H5477)
14:48:12
Floor
Sep 28, 2021
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 361 - 66 (Roll no. 297). (text: CR H5477)
14:48:12
Floor
Sep 28, 2021
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
14:48:13
Committee
Sep 27, 2021
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 117-128, Part I.
Judiciary Committee
Committee
Sep 27, 2021
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 117-128, Part I.
Judiciary Committee
Committee
Sep 27, 2021
Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
Energy and Commerce Committee
Discharge
Sep 27, 2021
Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
Energy and Commerce Committee
Calendars
Sep 27, 2021
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 92.
Committee
Jul 21, 2021
Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Discharged.
Judiciary Committee
Committee
Jul 21, 2021
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Judiciary Committee
Committee
Jul 21, 2021
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
Judiciary Committee
Committee
May 18, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee
Committee
Mar 10, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Health Subcommittee
IntroReferral
Mar 9, 2021
Introduced in House
IntroReferral
Mar 9, 2021
Introduced in House
IntroReferral
Mar 9, 2021
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Judiciary Committee
IntroReferral
Mar 9, 2021
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Energy and Commerce Committee
Used in Explainers
Crime Statistics in Context: How the 13/50 Claim Is Used and Misused
Criminal JusticeThe 13/50 claim is a common debate talking point that combines a population figure with a crime statistic in a way that often strips out context. Understanding what the numbers measure, what they do not measure, and how crime data are produced is essential for evaluating the claim accurately.
Mass Incarceration in the United States: Policy vs. Outcome
Criminal JusticeMass incarceration refers to the significant increase in the U.S. prison population over the past several decades. While often attributed solely to crime rates, policy decisions, sentencing laws, and enforcement practices played a major role in driving this growth.
Sentencing Disparities in the United States: Law, Enforcement, and Unequal Outcomes
Criminal JusticeSentencing disparities in the United States refer to differences in punishment that can emerge across race, class, geography, and offense type. Although the law is often described as neutral, sentencing outcomes have frequently reflected unequal enforcement, policy design, and institutional discretion.
Linked Legislator Scorecards
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Cosponsor • House • D • DC
Net Impact
76.80
Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]
Cosponsor • House • D • GA
Net Impact
66.88
Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]
Cosponsor • House • D • MO
Net Impact
56.32
Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
Cosponsor • House • D • TN
Net Impact
53.92
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
Cosponsor • House • D • OR
Net Impact
47.52
Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]
Cosponsor • House • D • PA
Net Impact
47.52
Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]
Cosponsor • House • D • IL
Net Impact
47.52
Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]
Cosponsor • House • D • WA
Net Impact
47.52
Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]
Cosponsor • House • D • PA
Net Impact
46.88
Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2]
Cosponsor • House • D • PA
Net Impact
40.48
Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]
Cosponsor • House • D • NY
Net Impact
40.48
Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7]
Cosponsor • House • D • MD
Net Impact
40.48
Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18]
Cosponsor • House • D • TX
Net Impact
36.08
Rep. Jeffries, Hakeem S. [D-NY-8]
Primary Sponsor • House • D • NY
Net Impact
35.20
Rep. Clark, Katherine M. [D-MA-5]
Cosponsor • House • D • MA
Net Impact
31.68
Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8]
Cosponsor • House • D • MD
Net Impact
31.68
Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]
Cosponsor • House • D • VA
Net Impact
31.68
Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11]
Cosponsor • House • D • NJ
Net Impact
31.68
Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]
Cosponsor • House • D • OR
Net Impact
29.92
Rep. Trone, David J. [D-MD-6]
Cosponsor • House • D • MD
Net Impact
22.88
Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1]
Cosponsor • House • D • RI
Net Impact
14.08
Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4]
Cosponsor • House • R • OK
Net Impact
13.44
Rep. Cooper, Jim [D-TN-5]
Cosponsor • House • D • TN
Net Impact
13.44
Rep. Gohmert, Louie [R-TX-1]
Cosponsor • House • R • TX
Net Impact
13.44
Rep. Armstrong, Kelly [R-ND-At Large]
Cosponsor • House • R • ND
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
Cosponsor • House • R • NE
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5]
Cosponsor • House • R • OK
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]
Cosponsor • House • R • FL
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2]
Cosponsor • House • R • TX
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Demings, Val Butler [D-FL-10]
Cosponsor • House • D • FL
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-1]
Cosponsor • House • R • IA
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large]
Cosponsor • House • R • SD
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Jones, Mondaire [D-NY-17]
Cosponsor • House • D • NY
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14]
Cosponsor • House • R • OH
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Keller, Fred [R-PA-12]
Cosponsor • House • R • PA
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-33]
Cosponsor • House • D • CA
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Lucas, Frank D. [R-OK-3]
Cosponsor • House • R • OK
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]
Cosponsor • House • R • SC
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Malinowski, Tom [D-NJ-7]
Cosponsor • House • D • NJ
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Maloney, Sean Patrick [D-NY-18]
Cosponsor • House • D • NY
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Massie, Thomas [R-KY-4]
Cosponsor • House • R • KY
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. McClintock, Tom [R-CA-4]
Cosponsor • House • R • CA
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R-WA-5]
Cosponsor • House • R • WA
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Meijer, Peter [R-MI-3]
Cosponsor • House • R • MI
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-2]
Cosponsor • House • R • AL
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-10]
Cosponsor • House • D • NY
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5]
Cosponsor • House • R • SC
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]
Cosponsor • House • R • UT
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Reschenthaler, Guy [R-PA-14]
Cosponsor • House • R • PA
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27]
Cosponsor • House • R • FL
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-28]
Cosponsor • House • D • CA
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Spartz, Victoria [R-IN-5]
Cosponsor • House • R • IN
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Taylor, Van [R-TX-3]
Cosponsor • House • R • TX
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Timmons, William R. IV [R-SC-4]
Cosponsor • House • R • SC
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-13]
Cosponsor • House • D • MI
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Yarmuth, John A. [D-KY-3]
Cosponsor • House • D • KY
Net Impact
7.04
Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large]
Cosponsor • House • R • AK
Net Impact
7.04
Sources
Federal • Congress.gov • Sep 29, 2021
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