HR 1062 United States House · 118th Congress

EQUAL Act

The EQUAL Act (HR 1062) eliminates the unequal sentencing disparity between crack cocaine (cocaine base) and powder cocaine offenses under federal law. It repeals specific provisions in the Controlled Substances Act and Import/Export Act that previously imposed harsher penalties for cocaine base, directly affecting individuals convicted of federal cocaine offenses involving cocaine base. The bill applies to all future cases and allows courts to reduce sentences for people already convicted of such offenses before the law's enactment. This change removes a key legal distinction that historically led to significantly longer sentences for crack cocaine offenses compared to powder cocaine.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2023

Committee Review

Floor Vote

President

Introduced Feb 17, 2023 Last action Feb 24, 2023

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Full legislative history

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Committee

Feb 24, 2023

Committee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

lower

Feb 17, 2023

Committee

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

lower

Feb 17, 2023

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

1 primary · 22 co-sponsors