{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-joins-bipartisan-resolution-declaring-april-second-chance", "Westerman Joins Bipartisan Resolution Declaring April as Second Chance Month", "2022-04-29", "2022", "2022-04", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "This week, U.S. Representatives Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Tony C\u00e1rdenas (D-CA), David Trone (D-MD), and Don Bacon (R-NE) alongside U.S Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Rob Portman (R-OH) reintroduced the bicameral Second Chance Month Resolution. The members released the following statements:\n\n\u201cSecond Chance Month plays an important role in raising awareness of the difficulty previously incarcerated individuals, who have paid their debt to society, experience re-entering society,\u201d said Congressman Westerman. \u201cWe must recognize the intrinsic value and dignity of these individuals, as we look to break down the stigmas attached to incarceration. Everyone deserves a second chance. Opportunity after incineration is vital to breaking the cycle of crime and reducing recidivism. I am honored to stand with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in this effort to acknowledge the dignity of every human being and honor the desire of reformed individuals who hope to become contributing members of society.\"\n\n\u201cThroughout my career \u2013 from the State Assembly to the LA City Council and now in Congress \u2013 I have made it a priority to fix our broken criminal justice system,\u201d said Congressman C\u00e1rdenas. \u201cFor too long, we have relied on an antiquated criminal justice model that prioritizes wasteful incarceration over efficient, effective rehabilitation. People have already paid for their crimes and should not continue to be punished by over 44,000 legal and social barriers that prevent them from resuming their lives as free citizens. America is a land of opportunity, and that opportunity should be available to those who have paid their debt to society. Everyone deserves to live in a world where you can change for the better, and where your future is not defined by a single mistake. That is the world I am fighting for every day.\u201d\n\n\u201cWith this resolution, we\u2019re addressing the challenges faced by justice-impacted individuals and helping Americans give back to their communities in a meaningful way. It's clear that the American justice system needs to stop penalizing folks who have already paid their debts and should instead focus on rehabilitation and uplifting vulnerable communities,\u201d said Congressman Trone. \u201cAs a businessman, I chose to hire returning citizens because I believe in second chances. As a Congressman, I continue to do just that for the thousands of Americans who are effectively locked out of our economy, our education system, and our neighborhoods because of a past criminal record.\u201d\n\n\u201cSecond Chance Month is a representation to all of us about the power of forgiveness and the Second Chance programs are key in that. They have helped reintegrate people back into society, heal families, and give much needed mental health services. By providing 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 said Congressman Bacon.\n\n\u201cAs a former prosecutor, I have seen firsthand the challenges people face after they leave prison,\u201d said Senator Klobuchar. \u201cPeople are capable of change and many deserve a second chance. This bipartisan resolution to recognize \u2018Second Chance Month\u2019 will bring awareness to these barriers and promote opportunities for those who have served their time to access stable jobs, continue their education, and become productive members of society again.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to lead the Senate effort to name April as Second Chance Month. Renewing and strengthening the idea that people deserve second chances is critical to our efforts to stop the revolving door of incarceration and help former inmates live up to their God-given potential,\u201d said Senator Portman. \u201cSince the Second Chance Act was first signed into law in 2007, it has played an important role in criminal justice reform policy, changing thousands of lives in Ohio and across the country. The mistakes of our past don\u2019t have to define the potential for our future. By designating April as Second Chance Month, we are supporting those who are returning from prison and want a fair shot at living an honest and productive life by increasing public awareness and getting them the help they need.\u201d\n\nBackground", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:19:30Z"]], "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://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-joins-bipartisan-resolution-declaring-april-second-chance"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9940336458384991, "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"}