Senators Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and David Vitter (R-LA), along with Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX), held a press conference Wednesday to voice their continued opposition to criminal sentencing reduction legislation.

The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) National President Nathan Catura, who was in attendance, issued the following statement in response:

"FLEOA is grateful for the constant support from Senators Sessions and Vitter and Congressman Smith. They have been true allies to the law enforcement community as we continue to push back against ill-advised proposals that would diminish our ability to protect the American people.

"Unfortunately, there are still some in Washington whose propositions would obstruct that ability, and would call for the release of thousands of convicted federal drug traffickers and other dangerous federal felons back into our communities. These violent offenders – many of whom facilitate life-threatening drug addiction to turn a profit – ravage our neighborhoods and cities, leaving in their path a trail of victims who often come from the most vulnerable populations.

"I echo the sentiments of my colleagues today. Reasonable reform for our criminal justice system is welcomed and encouraged by the law enforcement community. But reversing policies that have significantly decreased crime and replacing them with new initiatives that would unleash thousands of violent offenders is in no way a reasonable proposition."

About FLEOA

The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association ( www.fleoa.org ) is the largest nonprofit, nonpartisan professional association that exclusively represents over 26,000 active and retired federal law enforcement officers from over 65 agencies.