Recognizing April As Second Chance Month

Floor Speech

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Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize April as Second Chance Month, a time to reflect on and celebrate the growth and successes that emerge from giving people with records new opportunities. Second chances help justice-involved individuals better themselves, reduce recidivism, make communities safer, and grow the economy.

As I prepare to retire at the end of 2026, I am deeply proud of my work to advance opportunities for people with records, be the reforms in the areas of criminal justice, health, tax, or education. Today, I wish to focus on how giving second chances by expanding access to higher education makes our country stronger. We know that education is one of the most effective ways to support reentry--strengthening communities, closing racial and economic equity gaps in postsecondary education and workforce participation, and disrupting the cycle of incarceration that continues to target and limit opportunity for people of color and those from low-income backgrounds.

For decades, I worked to expand educational opportunities to those with criminal records, with two key bills becoming law in 2020 as part of P.L. 116-260, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. The Restoring Education and Learning (REAL) Act restored Federal Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated individuals for the first time in nearly 30 years. Research clearly demonstrates that individuals who enroll in postsecondary prison programs see higher earnings and reduced recidivism when they return home. After Congress stripped Pell Grants from incarcerated students in 1994, correctional education plummeted, directly hurting the ability of incarcerated individuals to gain the skills and education needed to secure quality employment post-release. I support and applaud the Northwestern Prison Education Program that offers undergraduate degrees to men incarcerated at Sheridan prison in Illinois. I am proud that my work helps these students get Pell grants so that they can earn a bachelor's degree from a top university.

The FAFSA Act removed the prohibition on federal student aid for people with felony drug convictions--a policy that inappropriately applied a mandatory minimum sentence beyond that deemed appropriate by the judicial system. Removing financial aid from students forces low- income students to leave or forego higher education, undermining economic security. Further, given that African Americans account for only 13 percent of drug users but 55 percent of drug convictions, the prohibition unfairly targeted poor and minority students. Now, students can attend higher education and complete the FAFSA without fear of losing eligibility due to a past drug conviction.

Unfortunately, more still needs to be done to improve educational access for incarcerated individuals. My Eliminating Discrimination and Creating Corridors to Expand Student Success Act (ED ACCESS) would help remove the lifetime ban on the American Opportunity Tax Credit for individuals with felony drug convictions. This ban actively makes it harder for these individuals to afford higher education and get their lives back on track. Similarly, my Demonstrating that Empowerment Makes Opportunities (DEMO) Act would help those with a record obtain successful health careers. This bill is modeled on the amazing work of John Hopkins and the Safer Foundation that created intensive training programs for workers in hospitals coupled with legal services, support services, technical assistance for businesses, and job placement services.

The value of higher education is clear: it increases employment rates; decreases reliance on public assistance; strengthens communities; reduces taxpayer dollars spent on prisons; and reduces recidivism. In today's society, where postsecondary credentials are necessary to access well-paying jobs, helping those with criminal justice involvement earn credentials and degrees which improves their lives as well as their communities.

As we celebrate Second Chance Month, I recognize our successes and commit myself to continuing to help those who have made mistakes get the opportunities to turn their lives around.

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