October 12, 2023

Congresswoman Bush Sends Letter to DOJ Seeking Answers on Civil Rights Concerns

Letter Follows Bush’s Questioning of Ag Garland at House Judiciary Committee Hearing Last Month

Washington, D.C. (Oct. 12, 2023) — Today, Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) sent a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) seeking answers to several pressing civil rights issues. The letter follows up on Congresswoman Bush’s questioning of Attorney General Merrick Garland in the House Judiciary Committee regarding the DOJ’s approach to civil rights and the rule of law.

“I have concerns about whether the Department is doing its utmost to advance its mission of protecting civil rights and the rule of law. These concerns are shared by my constituents, countless advocates, and people who are directly impacted by the federal criminal legal system,” wrote Congresswoman Bush.

A copy of the letter can be found HERE.

Congresswoman Bush requested answers to her questions by November 15. The questions covered various topics, including:

  • The increasing federal incarceration rate;

  • The Department’s practices relating to prosecution;

  • Prison reform, including solitary confinement;

  • The death penalty;

  • Policing and the Department’s approach to public safety;

  • The Equal Rights Amendment;

  • The targeting of opponents of Cop City; and

  • Freedom of the press.

Congresswoman Bush has consistently conducted oversight of the Department of Justice. She is a staunch champion for ending police brutality, mass incarceration, the death penalty, and dismantling systemic violence in our criminal legal system, as well as on the need to adopt a holistic, evidence-based, public health approach to community safety. Congresswoman Bush has introduced several bills that are rooted in this approach, including the People’s Response Act, Helping Families Heal Act and the Drug Policy Reform Act. Most recently, Congresswoman Bush introduced the End Solitary Confinement Act, legislation that would end solitary confinement in federal prison and detention facilities, establish minimum standards for incarceration and due process protections, and incentivize states and localities to end solitary in state and local facilities.