Criminal Justice Reform

Gun Violence
Northeast Ohio is no stranger to the pain and trauma of the gun violence epidemic. As a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Taskforce, I am convinced that common sense gun reform will make our country and communities safer.
In the 117th Congress, I supported the Bipartisan Safe Communities Act to take comprehensive steps to improve federal firearms laws, expand background checks, enhance school safety, and invest in mental health resources across the country. I will continue to fight for more responsible gun ownership laws, including universal background checks, safe storage laws, and other measures supported by an overwhelming majority of Americans.
Last Congress, I also voted in favor of the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 to ban the sale of assault weapons and large-capacity, ammunition-feeding devices. In this Congress, the 118th, I will continue to advocate for an assault-weapons ban to ensure a safer America for all.
Our communities are facing an epidemic of gun violence that affects all those killed or injured, as well as their friends and family. Every shooting we witness that shocks our communities further demonstrates that Congress must act to end these senseless killings.
Police Reform and Accountability
We must ensure that whenever law enforcement uses excessive force and acts outside of legal authority, they are held accountable. The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act would be a crucial first step to reconstruct the culture of policing to address systemic racism and save lives.
At President Biden’s 2023 State of the Union speech, I was honored to have Ms. Samaria Rice, the mother of Tamir Rice, as my guest to call attention to the fact that the use of excessive force is an unsustainable epidemic in America, and community-engaged policing reform must be one of our top priorities.
Reducing Recidivism
Providing comprehensive reentry resources to people exiting incarceration is crucial for the successful return to their communities.
This Congress, I introduced the One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act to provide grants for holistic reentry centers that centralize housing, job training, mental health counseling, and other vital services in a single location. These resources would give people leaving incarceration the tools they need to help make a full transition back into their communities.
Everyone deserves access to the invaluable resources provided by our nation’s libraries. In support of that belief, I cosponsored the Prison Libraries Act this Congress to ensure that incarcerated individuals have access to learning and development opportunities available in communities across the country. The resources libraries hold can help with full, successful reintegration, and lead to reduced recidivism while enhancing educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals.