WASHINGTON — Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), issued the following statement on President Biden’s announcement granting clemency for nearly 1,500 individuals on home confinement and pardons for 39 individuals convicted of nonviolent crimes.
“Today’s announcement is a welcome use of executive power to change lives, reunite families, and address the consequences of systemic injustice and racial discrimination in our criminal justice system. Thanks to this historic action by President Biden, 1,500 Americans will be able to once again live and work in their communities without the threat of re-incarceration, and 39 individuals convicted of non-violent crimes will be pardoned.
“We commend the President for this promising first step and strongly urge him to continue using executive power in the remaining 39 days of his presidency to deliver justice by granting further clemency petitions including for the 40 Americans on federal death row, additional individuals convicted for nonviolent drug offenses, and Leonard Peltier, and issuing a pardon for Steven Donziger."
