[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 14901]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                INTRODUCING THE RECIDIVISM REDUCTION ACT

  (Mr. CARSON of Indiana asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I introduced the 
Recidivism Reduction Act, a bill that will quickly restore Federal 
disability and health benefits to eligible individuals after they are 
released from incarceration.
  As a former law enforcement officer, I have seen firsthand how 
critical these benefits can be to successful reentry into the 
community. Currently, however, these benefits are regularly suspended 
or terminated upon incarceration and take considerable time to be 
reinstated after an individual is released. Without the health coverage 
they so desperately need, many newly released individuals cannot fully 
focus on securing gainful employment and developing a supportive home 
life. My colleagues should rest assured that this legislation will not 
provide new benefits to recently released individuals. Rather, it 
ensures that individuals receive the timely benefits they need to begin 
breaking the cycle of recidivism.
  Join me, please, in supporting the Recidivism Reduction Act.

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