John Cornyn

Criminal Justice Reinvestment Act Would Help Localities Conduct Studies to Control Costs

November 16, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - United States Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) introduced today the Criminal Justice Reinvestment Act of 2009 to help states and localities better understand how to manage the growth in prison and jail populations and increase public safety.

The legislation would authorize grants to analyze criminal justice trends and to design and implement policies to better manage prison spending. Congressmen Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Dan Lungren (R-CA) also introduced companion legislation today in the U.S. House of Representatives.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- U.S. Senator John Cornyn, a member of Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement following President Obama's nomination of Federal Appeals Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"Now that President Obama has nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor to replace Justice Souter on the United States Supreme Court, it is time for the Senate to perform its Constitutional duty of advice and consent.

"Because Judge Sotomayor would serve for life if she is confirmed, it is essential that the Senate conducts this process thoroughly and the President has assured me that we will have ample time to give Ms. Sotomayor's record a full and fair review.    » read more »

Comments On Administration’s Proposals Regarding SCAAP and Secure Communities Program

May 19, 2009 -- U.S. Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee's Immigration, Refugees and Border Security subcommittee, today issued the following statement regarding President Obama's request to expand the Secure Communities program, which seeks to check the immigration status of every person booked into local jails.

"Checking the immigration status of every incarcerated individual is a laudable goal. In an ideal world, this would already be the status quo. But the reality is our immigration system is deeply flawed and in need of a major overhaul and infusion of resources--which I have been pushing for since I was first elected to the Senate.    » read more »