In a Dec. 5 Phoenix column, Nan Roman, president of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, writes to urge that I support passage of the Second Chance Act, saying, “We need practical solutions to real problems, and that is what the Second Chance Act provides.”

Reducing recidivism rates is a real problem we face with corrections as hundreds of thousands of repeat offenders are incarcerated each year. Several programs to help inmates re-enter society have helped slow this tragic trend. I fully support efforts to help prisoners re-enter our communities and become productive members of society once they have repaid their debt to society.

The Second Chance Act, however well-intentioned, is not the most constructive approach to this problem.

The fact is the Second Chance Act duplicates many existing programs. At a Senate subcommittee hearing I chaired earlier this year, I found that numerous federal programs already have the authority and funding to help states with the rehabilitation and re-entry efforts outlined in the Second Chance Act.

One of Congress’ bad habits, which has to change, is our tendency to create new programs instead of doing the hard work that is necessary to make existing programs work. In a time of war and unsustainable spending taxpayers can’t afford business as usual legislating.

The Second Chance Act also contains new federal spending totaling $243 million without a source of funding. If we cannot make the tough spending choices now, we should not ask the next generation of Americans to pay the bill. Each American taxpayer owes more than $26,000 on our $8.7 trillion national debt. Rather than add new money for duplicative programs, Congress should do what families with limited resources do every day and prioritize spending.

Again, I support the rehabilitative goals outlined in the Second Chance Act. However, as it is now written the bill duplicates many existing federal programs and is fiscally irresponsible.

From the beginning, I have made clear my position on this bill and have repeatedly said I would support its passage if the duplicative programs were removed and money was found in the federal budget to pay for new programs in the Second Chance Act.

Unfortunately, my Senate colleagues have failed to do so, but I look forward to working with them next year to improve not only this bill but existing programs this bill duplicates.



Reach Sen. Tom Coburn, at 172 Russell Senate Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20510 or (202) 224-5754.