Smarter Sentencing Act of 2023
The Smarter Sentencing Act of 2023 reduces mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain non-violent drug offenses under federal law. It redefines "courier" as someone whose role is limited to transporting drugs or money, setting lower sentencing ranges for couriers (5-10 years for first offenses, 10-20 years for repeat offenses) compared to other drug traffickers. The bill allows courts to reduce sentences for people already convicted of covered drug offenses, and directs the Sentencing Commission to update federal sentencing guidelines to align with these changes. It also requires reports on federal criminal offenses and their penalties to improve transparency. This primarily affects individuals convicted of federal drug crimes, particularly those acting as couriers or facing mandatory minimums.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2023
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Mar 30, 2023
Last action Mar 30, 2023
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Mar 30, 2023
Committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
upper
Mar 30, 2023
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
1 primary · 12 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Richard J. Durbin
DDemocratic
Co
Angus S. King, Jr.
IIndependent
Co
Bernard Sanders
IIndependent
Co
Brian Schatz
DDemocratic
Co
Cory A. Booker
DDemocratic
Co
Edward J. Markey
DDemocratic
Co
Elizabeth Warren
DDemocratic
Co
Mike Lee
RRepublican
Co
Richard Blumenthal
DDemocratic
Co
Roger F. Wicker
RRepublican
Co
Sheldon Whitehouse
DDemocratic
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