[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 409]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               WE MUST SOLVE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROBLEM

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, this is an exciting day as the 
President presents to us his vision for the Nation. In addition, over 
the weekend, Speaker Ryan indicated his vision and the opportunity for 
Members of Congress to pass serious legislation, which includes 
criminal justice reform.
  How exciting it is to be the ranking member on the Subcommittee on 
Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations and to work 
with my colleagues Mr. Goodlatte and Mr. Conyers and all of my 
colleagues on that committee to talk about important issues.
  Just today, we passed a bill dealing with mental health programs. A 
DOJ report found that 64 percent of those in jail, 54 percent of State 
prisoners, and 45 percent of Federal prisoners have some form of mental 
illness. Jails and prisons now house more than three times the number 
of mentally ill individuals than do mental health facilities and 
hospitals.
  It is clear that part of criminal justice reform deals with mental 
health, but it also deals with rehabilitation and reentry, which we are 
discussing in the Committee on the Judiciary. In addition, we are 
working on reforming the juvenile justice system.
  My message, Mr. Speaker, is, as the President speaks, as the Speaker 
has spoken, it is time now that we come collaboratively, Republicans 
and Democrats, and truly end mass incarceration and find a way to solve 
the criminal justice problem both by reducing gun violence, reducing 
crime, and helping the people who need the help.

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