Nominee at Senate hearing pledges to continue First Step Act implementation, flags unfilled reentry beds

During a Senate confirmation hearing, a nominee said they would work to continue implementing the First Step Act and would investigate reports that beds for halfway houses and reentry programs funded under the law have not been filled.

The nominee said: "As as you're aware, criminal justice reform has been an important, part of my role on this committee. I I worked for the better part of a decade, with, senator Durbin, chairman Grassley, senator White house, senator Cornyn, senator Booker, and a bunch of others to eventually pass the First Step Act, which president Trump signed into law in December 2018." The nominee added that "The First Step Act, as the name implies, was intended to be the first of multiple steps. Much remains to be done, including with the implementation of the First Step Act. The the credits available under the First Step Act are still being…