[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 72 (Thursday, April 23, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H3077]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING SECOND CHANCE MONTH

  (Mr. BELL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Second Chance Month to 
raise awareness of the challenges faced by millions of individuals with 
criminal records transitioning back into society.
  Every day, individuals with criminal records are held back from the 
opportunity to rejoin society and contribute. Instead of letting their 
past define them, we must create pathways that allow these folks to 
rewrite their histories.
  As a former prosecutor, I am passionate about diversion programs that 
help low-level, nonviolent offenders, especially, avoid incarceration 
by connecting them with the treatment, support, and life-skills 
training to break the cycle of recidivism.
  That is why I introduced the BRIDGE Act last month, which expands 
pathways to employment and economic freedom for justice-impacted adults 
and youth.
  One bad situation should not define a person's entire story. Let's 
give people a second chance to make a better life for themselves. When 
we do so, it has the added benefit of also making our communities 
safer.

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