[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 67 (Thursday, April 16, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E334-E335]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING APRIL AS SECOND CHANCE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 16, 2026

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize April 
as Second Chance Month, a time to reflect on and celebrate the growth 
and successes that emerge from giving people with records new 
opportunities. Second chances help justice-involved individuals better 
themselves, reduce recidivism, make communities safer, and grow the 
economy.
  As I prepare to retire at the end of 2026, I am deeply proud of my 
work to advance opportunities for people with records, be the reforms 
in the areas of criminal justice, health, tax, or education. Today, I 
wish to focus on how giving second chances by expanding access to 
higher education makes our country stronger. We know that education is 
one of the most effective ways to support reentry--strengthening 
communities, closing racial and economic equity gaps in postsecondary 
education and workforce participation, and disrupting the cycle of 
incarceration that continues to target and limit opportunity for people 
of color and those from low-income backgrounds.

[[Page E335]]

  For decades, I worked to expand educational opportunities to those 
with criminal records, with two key bills becoming law in 2020 as part 
of P.L. 116-260, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. The 
Restoring Education and Learning (REAL) Act restored Federal Pell Grant 
eligibility for incarcerated individuals for the first time in nearly 
30 years. Research clearly demonstrates that individuals who enroll in 
postsecondary prison programs see higher earnings and reduced 
recidivism when they return home. After Congress stripped Pell Grants 
from incarcerated students in 1994, correctional education plummeted, 
directly hurting the ability of incarcerated individuals to gain the 
skills and education needed to secure quality employment post-release. 
I support and applaud the Northwestern Prison Education Program that 
offers undergraduate degrees to men incarcerated at Sheridan prison in 
Illinois. I am proud that my work helps these students get Pell grants 
so that they can earn a bachelor's degree from a top university.
  The FAFSA Act removed the prohibition on federal student aid for 
people with felony drug convictions--a policy that inappropriately 
applied a mandatory minimum sentence beyond that deemed appropriate by 
the judicial system. Removing financial aid from students forces low-
income students to leave or forego higher education, undermining 
economic security. Further, given that African Americans account for 
only 13 percent of drug users but 55 percent of drug convictions, the 
prohibition unfairly targeted poor and minority students. Now, students 
can attend higher education and complete the FAFSA without fear of 
losing eligibility due to a past drug conviction.
  Unfortunately, more still needs to be done to improve educational 
access for incarcerated individuals. My Eliminating Discrimination and 
Creating Corridors to Expand Student Success Act (ED ACCESS) would help 
remove the lifetime ban on the American Opportunity Tax Credit for 
individuals with felony drug convictions. This ban actively makes it 
harder for these individuals to afford higher education and get their 
lives back on track. Similarly, my Demonstrating that Empowerment Makes 
Opportunities (DEMO) Act would help those with a record obtain 
successful health careers. This bill is modeled on the amazing work of 
John Hopkins and the Safer Foundation that created intensive training 
programs for workers in hospitals coupled with legal services, support 
services, technical assistance for businesses, and job placement 
services.
  The value of higher education is clear: it increases employment 
rates; decreases reliance on public assistance; strengthens 
communities; reduces taxpayer dollars spent on prisons; and reduces 
recidivism. In today's society, where postsecondary credentials are 
necessary to access well-paying jobs, helping those with criminal 
justice involvement earn credentials and degrees which improves their 
lives as well as their communities.
  As we celebrate Second Chance Month, I recognize our successes and 
commit myself to continuing to help those who have made mistakes get 
the opportunities to turn their lives around.

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