White House spokesman Frank Benenati said the president prefers congressional action on contractors “as the best path forward for making sure this effort will have the most significant impact and is written into law so it can last beyond this administration”.
Advertisement
If the disclosure of a criminal record happens later in a job application process, you’re more likely to be hired … “Since one in four adults in the US has a conviction history, the impact of this discrimination is widespread and affects other aspects of life in addition to employment opportunity”.
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images President Obama greets well-wishers upon arrival at Newark Liberty worldwide Airport Monday in New Jersey, before he visited Rutgers University and the nearby Integrity House halfway home in Newark.
The new steps unveiled by the White House included up to $8 million in federal education grants over three years for former inmates as well as new guidance on the use of arrest records in determining eligibility for public and federally assisted housing.
The order comes several months after the president called on employers to eliminate the criminal history question from job applications, and after a protest by “ban the box” advocates in front of the White House. Cory Booker (D) of New Jersey and Sen.
Obama went from the streets to the swanky after the event, heading into the city for a pair of big-dollar fundraisers for the Democratic National Committee and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Monday night. The clearinghouse would assist local reentry services and public defenders to help released prisoners clean their records and expunge qualified offenses.
On Monday, the Associated Press reported that the president’s planned criminal justice reforms are a “remarkable shift in tone” after decades of political wariness among candidates concerned about being seen as weak on crime.
Dianne Gallagher is here with us now from our nation’s capital. In 2013, the city disbanded its police force, replacing it with a county-run department no longer bound by union contracts that has emphasized more community engagement.
“It’s a disgrace that he’s coming to New Jersey today to take credit for this stuff when he’s been someone who’s undercut it, and by the way on criminal justice reform, has done nothing for seven years”, he added.
Christie also has pointed to the police overhaul in Camden as evidence he can work with Democrats.
“You know, the Federal Bureau of Investigation director, the president’s appointed Federal Bureau of Investigation director has said this week that because of a lack of support from politicians like the president of the United States, that police officers are afraid to get out of their cars; that they’re afraid to enforce the law”.
As was reported by the Guardian, Obama praised ex-offenders who reintegrated back into society, emphasizing “it’s not too late” for people to extricate themselves from the criminal justice system.
Advertisement
“Gov. Christie’s comments in this regard have been particularly irresponsible, but not surprising for somebody whose poll numbers are close to an asterisk”, Earnest said.
