NFL commissioner sends letter on criminal justice reform to senators

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and a player for the Seattle Seahawks expressed the League’s support for bipartisan criminal justice legislation in a letter to senators on Monday, promising to help the upper chamber pass the bill.

The letter, written by Goodell and Seattle Seahawks player Doug Baldwin, addressed Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D- Ill.), Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah). 

“The Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act would address many of the issues on which our players have worked to raise awareness of over the last two seasons,” the letter reads.

{mosads}

“This bill seeks to improve public safety, increase rehabilitation, and strengthen families. If enacted, it would be a positive next step in our collective efforts to move our nation forward,” it continues.

Durbin and Grassley announced last month that they would re-introduce the legislation, known as the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act, which was first presented in 2015.

The letter also copied House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.). 

The bill would increase mandatory minimums for crimes like domestic violence while cutting mandatory minimums for some drug offenses.

“The National Football League applauds the introduction of this bipartisan criminal justice reform bill as well as your ongoing commitment to upholding America’s promise of justice for all,” the letter continued.

“We stand ready to work with you to advance this important legislation,” the authors wrote.