Grassley incensed by attorney generals attempt to stymie sentencing reform

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Washington Post

Grassley ‘incensed’ by attorney general’s attempt to stymie sentencing reform
By Karoun Demirjian February 14 at 9:51 PM

The top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee is “incensed” at Attorney General Jeff Sessions for trying to derail a bipartisan bill that would reduce mandatory prison terms for drug offenders on the eve of its first procedural vote.

Sessions and Judiciary Chairman Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) have long been at odds over the bill, which would reduce the length of mandatory minimum sentences for repeat nonviolent drug offenses, eliminate the “three strike” provision that requires a life sentence, and give judges expanded authority to issue shorter-than-mandatory minimum sentences for low-level crimes. The changes, championed by Grassley, fly in the face of Sessions’s bid to wage a new war on drugs from the Justice Department — something he made clear in a letter to Grassley Wednesday, writing that passing the bill would be a “grave error.”

Grassley retorted publicly via Twitter, giving Sessions a piece of his mind and a short reminder about who in the government makes the federal laws — and who is supposed to follow them.

“Incensed by Sessions letter An attempt to undermine Grassley/Durbin/Lee BIPARTISAN criminal just reforms,” Grassley wrote. “This bill deserves thoughtful consideration b4 my cmte. AGs execute laws CONGRESS WRITES THEM!”

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/grassley-incensed-by-attorney-generals-attempt-to-stymie-sentencing-reform/2018/02/14/96217cc2-11e5-11e8-9065-e55346f6de81_story.html?utm_term=.1ee97bacbf50

[fountainofyouth]

1. Sessions is clearly the last man in America who thinks pot is as bad as heroin n/t

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

2. And like most Repugs, what he believes about a subject flies in the factual evidence

For example, medical research does show a correlation between marijuana use and a drop in heroin use.

Of course, the GOP, which enjoys major support from the pharmaceutical industry, has made it impossible to even do research on the medicinal effects of marijuana, especially in reducing pain.

[Blindingly apparent]

3. Well, Grassley will always have his tax cuts

To cool him down

[marble falls]

4. I'm shocked. Grassley supports common sense sentencing reform. I'm shocked.

[rsdsharp]

5. Maybe.

But Chuck really just wants his headline. Now that he's gotten it, he won't follow up.