Sen. Tom Cotton slams First Step Act: 'Dangerous to public safety'

After Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., announced the Senate would vote on the First Step Act prison reform bill this month, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., called the legislation "dangerous to public safety."

Appearing on "Tucker Carlson Tonight," Cotton said he supports efforts to reduce recidivism for crime, but explained the First Step Act has provisions that will lead to the early release of violent criminals.

"Unfortunately, in the Senate, it's become an early-release and sentencing reduction bill," Cotton said.

"Up to 2,500 serious drug traffickers are going to be released almost immediately within weeks or months of this bill passing," he continued, adding, "It is an almost mathematical certainty that someone is going to commit a heinous crime if this bill passes."

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Cotton explained that under the First Step Act, drug traffickers would see their sentences reduced going forward, "sometimes by up to half." He added that the immediate early release provisions make the bill "dangerous to public safety."

"I worry very much that this will mean dangerous streets for our communities and our families," he said.

Sen. Cotton was previously attacked for spreading "fake news" about the First Step Act, right before the Senate revised the legislation to address his some of his concerns and objections raised by other senators.

Wednesday morning, Cotton complained on Twitter that the text of the revised bill has not been released, with a vote now imminent.

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