My time at the U.S. Attorney’s Office showed me just how much work we have to do to make sure our justice system works for all Americans. I helped to establish the first federal reentry program for New Jersey residents to help them get back on their feet after serving their time in the federal prison system.

In addition, more work must be done to reform the federal sentencing guidelines and address mental health and substance abuse issues outside our criminal justice system. I’m also a champion for increased support for early childhood programs such as Head Start because we know it pays huge dividends throughout our communities.

As a former federal prosecutor, I am committed to working to make our justice system fairer and safer for every American. I was proud to champion the EQUAL Act to end the unjust disparity in federal sentencing between crack and powder cocaine cases. Alongside Senator Cory Booker and Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, we assembled a bipartisan coalition to pass the bill in the House and are pushing our colleagues in the Senate to do the same.  

I have also sponsored legislation to ensure that we promote good police training and encourage local police forces to implement recruiting and hiring practices that take into account the population served. I co-sponsored the bipartisan Invest to Protect Act of 2022, to make critical, targeted investments in local police departments and ensure that police officers in smaller communities across the country have the resources and training they need to keep themselves and their communities safe.