The Biden administration endorsed a bill Tuesday that would end sentencing disparities for crack versus powder cocaine offenses. The big picture: Supp

Biden endorses bill to end sentencing disparity for crack and powder cocaine

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2021-06-22 15:00:07

The Biden administration endorsed a bill Tuesday that would end sentencing disparities for crack versus powder cocaine offenses.

The big picture: Supporting the legislation follows through on one of Biden's campaign promises. But it's a shift from decades ago, when Biden spearheaded efforts to pass the legislation that implemented the disparities in the first place.

Driving the news: Regina LaBelle, acting director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, endorsed the EQUAL Act during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday. The bill would give individuals convicted or sentenced for a federal cocaine offense a re-sentencing.

Between the lines: Biden's attitude toward drug laws has largely evolved over the course of his tenure in elected office. He introduced legislation to close the gap during his final years in the Senate.

What they're saying: “The current disparity is not based on evidence yet has caused significant harm for decades, particularly to individuals, families, and communities of color,” LaBell said.