Marco Rubio [has become] a firm opponent of the bipartisan sentencing reform legislation pending in the Senate, following a review of the bill and multiple conversations with Republican proponents of the package.
"I just have too many concerns about the spike in violent crime in this country and what impact that law would have on it," Rubio told the Washington Examiner. "I just can't support it...There are people who are supporting this proposal who I have a lot of respect for, and so I took the time to review it," Rubio said. "I think, unfortunately, if you apply it to some of the cases I've asked prosecutors to look at, it could result in the release of dangerous people who, maybe, pled down to a lower charge but ultimately are very dangerous."
I thought it noteworthy, and a credit to Sen. Rubio, that he asked prosecutors independently to look at the bill. Many senators just rely on white papers from interest groups and staff work, which can range from brilliant to appalling.
Sen. Rubio's Presidential campaign foundered, but he is still viewed as an influential voice among Republicans. This is not a year where one wants to have a lot of confidence making political predictions, but I think Rubio's opposition is very bad news for sentencing reform's future.
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