{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://miller.house.gov/media/press-releases/miller-davis-reintroduce-second-chance-reauthorization-act-2025", "Miller, Davis Reintroduce the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025", "2025-05-22", "2025", "2025-05", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Carol D. Miller", "M001205", "miller.house.gov", "miller", "https://miller.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Yesterday, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) and Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) introduced legislation to reauthorize critical reentry grant programs from the Second Chance Act of 2008 to support reentry efforts including housing, career training and job placement, and substance use disorder and mental health treatment. The Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025 would reauthorize critical programs to reduce recidivism, invest in communities, and promote public safety.\n\nOver 95% of the prison population will eventually be released, with more than 600,000 individuals returning to their communities from prison each year and an even higher number entering and exiting local jails. To address this need and to improve reentry services and lower recidivism rates, the Second Chance Act was passed by Congress with bipartisan support and signed into law by President Bush in April 2008. The Act was last reauthorized by President Trump in 2018.\n\nSenators Capito (R-WV) and Booker (D-NJ) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.\n\n\u201cSince the Second Chance Act passed in 2008, formerly incarcerated West Virginians reentering our communities have received the vital services and support they needed to return home successfully,\u201d said Rep. Miller. \u201cWe have seen the benefits of the Second Chance Act in West Virginia and across the country. When we put in place strong reentry programming, we are creating safer communities where individuals feel supported and empowered to break the cycle of recidivism.\u201d\n\n\u201cSecond Chance reentry programs and services have reached hundreds of thousands of individuals and families across the country, creating healthier families and safer communities,\u201d said Rep. Davis. \u201cContinuing to invest in these evidenced-based interventions is a commonsense approach to strengthen individuals, re-build families, and grow our economy.\u201d\n\nJoining Representatives Miller and Davis are Representatives Darin LaHood (R-IL), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Laurel Lee (R-FL), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Don Bacon (R-NE), Nydia Vel\u00e1squez (D-NY), Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), Shontel Brown (D-OH), Mike Turner (R-OH), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Barry Moore (R-AL), and Andre Carson (D-IN).\n\n\u201cAs a former federal prosecutor, I understand the importance of accountability to the law, but I also believe that individuals deserve the opportunity to rebuild their lives and contribute to society,\u201d said Rep. LaHood. \u201cI am proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing the Second Chance Act to invest in rehabilitation programs to strengthen services provided in Illinois\u2019 16th Congressional District to reduce recidivism rates and provide substance abuse treatment for those who need it most.\u201d\n\n\u201cLast month, I was honored to work with colleagues across the aisle to declare April as Second Chance Month, and today's introduction of the Second Chance Act builds on our bipartisan efforts to break down barriers for formerly incarcerated Americans,\u201d said Rep. McBath. \u201cThe goal of our justice system is to reduce and prevent recidivism, which is why we must make smart federal investments to support programs and organizations that assist individuals with reentry. We in Congress can and must be leaders in breaking the stigma and empowering formerly incarcerated individuals to once again make vital contributions to their communities. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt is incredibly important to create pathways for incarcerated Arkansans and Americans who have paid their debt to society and are now experiencing the arduous barriers to re-enter their communities. Congress must work towards reducing recidivism rates and breaking the cycle of crime,\u201d said Rep. Westerman. \u201cThere is no doubt that each of these Americans have an intrinsic value and are worthy of the dignity that comes with establishing hard-earned jobs and gaining sought-after respect among their peers. I am proud to support the Second Chance Reauthorization Act which will promote second chances and in turn, create safer communities and brighter futures.\n\n\u201cThousands of citizens return from incarceration to our communities every year,\u201d said Rep. Johnson. \u201cI know how difficult it is for people to get back up on their feet after getting out of the system. We need to fund programs that can remove barriers for returning citizens. That\u2019s what Second Chance Act is all about, and I\u2019m proud to support this critical, bipartisan legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cStabilizing services and employment opportunities are critical for recently incarcerated individuals. We know these programs get people back on the right track and facilitate successful reentry,\u201d said Rep. Scott. \u201cThe Second Chance Act reduces recidivism and provides critical support for those returning to society and I thank my colleagues for joining this bipartisan effort with me.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am pleased to support the reauthorization of the Second Chance Act, which demonstrates our commitment to the power of forgiveness and rehabilitation,\u201d said Rep. Bacon. \u201cSecond Chance programs have helped reintegrate people back into society, heal families, and give much-needed mental health services. With the help of these support systems, individuals can become productive members of society, restoring dignity and respect to those who have served their time and want to contribute back to their communities and families.\u201d\n\n\u201cEveryone deserves the chance to rebuild their life after incarceration, and that means real support, not roadblocks. The Second Chance Reauthorization Act invests in the housing, job training, and mental health services that make successful reentry possible,\u201d said Rep. Vel\u00e1zquez. \u201cI\u2019m proud to support this bipartisan effort to break cycles of incarceration and uplift communities across the country, and I thank Representatives Danny Davis and Carol Miller for their leadership on this important legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerica is the land of opportunity and second chances. Previously incarcerated individuals who take accountability for their actions and improve their lives should be able to count on our support,\u201d said Rep. Smucker. \u201cBy passing the Second Chance Act Reauthorization Act of 2025, we can help more Americans successfully reenter and become productive members of their communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am honored to be an original cosponsor of the Second Chance Act Reauthorization of 2025. In Northeast Ohio we know first-hand how the cycles of incarceration can negatively impact families and communities,\u201d said Rep. Brown. \u201cBy investing in reentry programs and supporting formerly incarcerated individuals, the Second Chance Act has reduced recidivism, strengthened families, and invested in communities that are far too often left behind. We need to build on that progress and ensure more people have a real path to opportunity and stability.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025 represents a principled and measured approach to criminal justice reform, one that reaffirms our commitment to accountability while acknowledging the vital role of rehabilitation and successful reintegration,\u201d said Rep. Turner. \u201cWhen we invest in programs that prepare individuals to return to society with purpose and responsibility, we not only restore lives, but strengthen the foundations of our communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor many incarcerated Alabamians and Americans, paying their debt to society after committing a crime is just the start of a long, burdensome process toward re-entering society,\u201d said Rep. Moore. \u201cThe Lord shows each of us grace daily, and that same grace should be shown to those who are committed to breaking the cycle of crime and reintegrating into communities. We must do all we can to help reduce recidivism rates and provide pathways to opportunities that will help incarcerated individuals see a brighter future. I am proud to support the Second Chance Reauthorization Act and look forward to seeing the positive impacts it makes on incarcerated individuals and their communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m honored to join my colleagues as an original cosponsor of the Second Chance Act Reauthorization. These programs have a proven track record of reducing recidivism and helping returning citizens come back home to become productive members of our communities,\u201d said Rep. Carson. \u201cOver half of all Second Chance participants enrolled in re-entry programs for employment, housing and education services. My home state of Indiana has seen a 21% drop in re-incarceration rates since the bill was first enacted, and if we continue to boldly invest in Second Chances, our families and communities will grow stronger with opportunities for everyone.\n\n\"For too long, our country\u2019s criminal justice system has focused on punitive measures that do nothing to reduce recidivism or actually make our communities safer. We need to invest in initiatives that center rehabilitation and reentry \u2013 which is why I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Second Chance Reauthorization Act,\" said Rep. Jayapal. \"This legislation will continue giving formerly incarcerated individuals the tools and support they need to come back to their homes and communities and successfully rebuild their lives.\"\n\nTo read the full text of the bill, click here.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025 would:\n\nReauthorize key grant programs that provide vital services, supports, and resources for people reentering their communities after incarceration;\n\nExpand allowable uses for supportive and transitional housing services for individuals reentering the community from prison and jail; and\n\nEnhance addiction treatment services for individuals with substance use disorders, including peer recovery services, case management, and overdose prevention.\n\nSince its passage 16 years ago, Second Chance has supported states, local governments, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations in their efforts to reduce recidivism. To date, Second Chance grants have reached more than 442,000 justice-involved individuals who participated in reentry services or parole and probation programs. From 2009 to 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice awarded over 1,300 Second Chance Act grants to states, local, and tribal governments, as well as reentry-focused community organizations. Second Chance grants have been administered to 871 agencies across 49 U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia.\n\nThe legislation is supported by the Council of State Governments Justice Center, Correctional Leaders Association, Major County Sheriffs of America, Conservative Political Action Conference, American Correctional Association, American Jail Association, Prison Fellowship, National District Attorneys Association, American Parole and Probation Association, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Association of Counties, National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, National League of Cities, Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities, Unify.US, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:49:36Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://miller.house.gov/media/press-releases/miller-davis-reintroduce-second-chance-reauthorization-act-2025"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.6816252134740353, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}