OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Recognizing Second Chance Month

Floor Speech

Date: April 23, 2026
Location: Washington, DC

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Second Chance Month to raise awareness of the challenges faced by millions of individuals with criminal records transitioning back into society.

Every day, individuals with criminal records are held back from the opportunity to rejoin society and contribute. Instead of letting their past define them, we must create pathways that allow these folks to rewrite their histories.

As a former prosecutor, I am passionate about diversion programs that help low-level, nonviolent offenders, especially, avoid incarceration by connecting them with the treatment, support, and life-skills training to break the cycle of recidivism.

That is why I introduced the BRIDGE Act last month, which expands pathways to employment and economic freedom for justice-impacted adults and youth.

One bad situation should not define a person's entire story. Let's give people a second chance to make a better life for themselves. When we do so, it has the added benefit of also making our communities safer.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT


Source
arrow_upward