Dems press Obama to 'ban the box'

Twenty-seven senators want President Obama to block federal agencies and contractors from asking job applicants about prior criminal convictions. 

 

The senators, including 26 Democrats and presidential hopeful Bernie SandersBernie SandersBiden cannot keep letting Trump set the agenda The 2020 stage is set: character, chaos and the Marx Brothers Trump reiterates call for drug test before debates, claims Biden 'is on some kind of an enhancement' MORE (I-Vt.), want Obama to take executive action to "ban the box," referring to a question on job applications that asks if an applicant has any convictions. 

 

"We ask you to require federal contractors and agencies to refrain from asking job applicants about prior convictions until later in the hiring process," they said in a letter to Obama on Monday. "This policy would eliminate unnecessary barriers to employment for all job seekers and would give individuals re-entering the workforce the opportunity to apply for work based on their current merits rather than past wrong-doings."

 

In addition to Sanders, the letter was signed by Democratic Sens. Cory Booker (N.J.), Sherrod BrownSherrod Campbell BrownHillicon Valley: Russia 'amplifying' concerns around mail-in voting to undermine election | Facebook and Twitter take steps to limit Trump remarks on voting | Facebook to block political ads ahead of election Top Democrats press Trump to sanction Russian individuals over 2020 election interference efforts Trump eviction ban tests limits of CDC authority MORE (Ohio), Sheldon WhitehouseSheldon WhitehouseRestaurant owner defends calamari as 'bipartisan' after Democratic convention appearance Warren calls on McConnell to bring Senate back to address Postal Service Senate Democrats demand answers on migrant child trafficking during pandemic MORE (R.I.), Chris MurphyChristopher (Chris) Scott MurphyGermany says Kremlin critic was poisoned with same nerve agent used in UK attack Democrats seek balance in backing protests, condemning violence Graham tweets support for Navalny: 'The Russian people will reach a tipping point where they tire of Putin' MORE (Conn.), Chris CoonsChristopher (Chris) Andrew CoonsDemocrats divided over 1998 embassy bombing settlement Bank lobbying group launches ad backing Collins reelection bid Biden ally Coons hits back at Trump over tweet misspelling his name MORE (Del.), Dick DurbinRichard (Dick) Joseph DurbinHillicon Valley: Russia 'amplifying' concerns around mail-in voting to undermine election | Facebook and Twitter take steps to limit Trump remarks on voting | Facebook to block political ads ahead of election Democrats urge CDC to update guidance to encourage colleges, universities go tobacco-free Top Democrats press Trump to sanction Russian individuals over 2020 election interference efforts MORE (Ill.), Al FrankenAlan (Al) Stuart FrankenGetting tight — the psychology of cancel culture Tina Smith wins Democratic Senate primary in Minnesota Poll: Tina Smith's lead over probable GOP challenger within margin of error in Minnesota Senate race MORE (Minn.), Ed MarkeyEdward (Ed) John MarkeyJake Auchincloss wins Massachusetts primary for Kennedy's House seat Campaigns rethink how to reach college students amid pandemic Democrats unveil plan declaring racism a public health issue MORE (Mass.), Tim KaineTimothy (Tim) Michael KaineDemocrats divided over 1998 embassy bombing settlement Filibuster fight looms if Democrats retake Senate Second senator tests positive for coronavirus MORE (Va.), Jeff MerkleyJeffrey (Jeff) Alan MerkleyDemocrats unveil plan declaring racism a public health issue US will not pay millions in dues to WHO this year: report Millions risk losing power without nationwide shutoff moratorium MORE (Ore.), Patrick LeahyPatrick Joseph LeahyHillicon Valley: Russia 'amplifying' concerns around mail-in voting to undermine election | Facebook and Twitter take steps to limit Trump remarks on voting | Facebook to block political ads ahead of election Top Democrats press Trump to sanction Russian individuals over 2020 election interference efforts Furlough canceled for 13,000 immigration services workers MORE (Vt.), Mazie HironoMazie Keiko HironoDemocrats unveil plan declaring racism a public health issue Overnight Defense: US, Russia trade blame over Syria incident | Pentagon calls out China's 'counterproductive' military exercises, missile test | Democrats press Esper on COVID-19 response Democrats press Esper on 'concerning' rise in Pentagon's COVID-19 cases MORE (Hawaii), Tammy BaldwinTammy Suzanne BaldwinCher raised million for Biden campaign at LGBTQ-themed fundraiser Democrats seek balance in backing protests, condemning violence Over 300 LGBT leaders endorse Biden for president : 'The most pro-equality ticket in US history' MORE (Wis.), Ron WydenRonald (Ron) Lee WydenHouse Democrat offers measures to block Trump's payroll tax deferral Hillicon Valley: Russia 'amplifying' concerns around mail-in voting to undermine election | Facebook and Twitter take steps to limit Trump remarks on voting | Facebook to block political ads ahead of election Top Democrats press Trump to sanction Russian individuals over 2020 election interference efforts MORE (Ore.), Mark WarnerMark Robert WarnerDemocrats divided over 1998 embassy bombing settlement Hillicon Valley: Russia 'amplifying' concerns around mail-in voting to undermine election | Facebook and Twitter take steps to limit Trump remarks on voting | Facebook to block political ads ahead of election Top Democrats press Trump to sanction Russian individuals over 2020 election interference efforts MORE (Va.), Kirsten GillibrandKirsten GillibrandIn the next relief package Congress must fund universal COVID testing Expanding our health force can save lives and create jobs simultaneously Sanders offers bill to tax billionaires' wealth gains during pandemic MORE (N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenDemocrats unveil plan declaring racism a public health issue How Markey took down a Kennedy Kennedy-Markey race takes nasty turn in Massachusetts MORE (Mass.), Patty MurrayPatricia (Patty) Lynn MurrayOvernight Defense: US, Russia trade blame over Syria incident | Pentagon calls out China's 'counterproductive' military exercises, missile test | Democrats press Esper on COVID-19 response Democrats press Esper on 'concerning' rise in Pentagon's COVID-19 cases Pelosi huddles with chairmen on surprise billing but deal elusive MORE (Wash.), Tom UdallThomas (Tom) Stewart UdallOvernight Energy: EPA chief outlines vision for agency under 'Trump's second term' | Agency sued over decision not to regulate chemical linked to fetal brain damage Democrats say new EPA office requires congressional approval Interior watchdog: top officials misled Congress on BLM relocation out West MORE (N.M.), Tom CarperThomas (Tom) Richard CarperHillicon Valley: Democrats demand answers over Russian interference bulletin | Google Cloud wins defense contract for cancer research | Cyberattack disrupts virtual classes Senate Democrats raise concerns over ability of US overseas voters to cast ballots Tensions flare as senators grill postmaster general MORE (Del.), Ben CardinBenjamin (Ben) Louis CardinPPP application window closes after coronavirus talks deadlock  Congress eyes tighter restrictions on next round of small business help Senate passes extension of application deadline for PPP small-business loans MORE (Md.), Jack ReedJohn (Jack) Francis ReedHillicon Valley: Russia 'amplifying' concerns around mail-in voting to undermine election | Facebook and Twitter take steps to limit Trump remarks on voting | Facebook to block political ads ahead of election Top Democrats press Trump to sanction Russian individuals over 2020 election interference efforts Democrats ramp up warnings on Russian election meddling MORE (R.I.), Joe ManchinJoseph (Joe) ManchinFilibuster fight looms if Democrats retake Senate Schumer on nixing the filibuster: 'Nothing is off the table' Schumer pledges 'bold and dramatic change' if Democrats win back Senate MORE (W.Va.), Amy KlobucharAmy KlobucharHillicon Valley: Russia 'amplifying' concerns around mail-in voting to undermine election | Facebook and Twitter take steps to limit Trump remarks on voting | Facebook to block political ads ahead of election Top Democrats press Trump to sanction Russian individuals over 2020 election interference efforts Karen Pence stumps for GOP SC congressional candidate MORE (Minn.) and Brian Schatz (Hawaii).

 

They note that federal employers would still be able to ask about past convictions or conduct a background check before making a final employment decision. 

 

The senators said that actions by Obama would "restore hope and opportunity to those with criminal records who face substantial obstacles in their quest to be productive members of their communities." 

 

The letter to Obama comes amid a larger push for criminal justice reform in the Senate. Cardin has introduced legislation that would restore voting rights for formerly incarcerated individuals. 

 

Meanwhile, Sen. Tim ScottTimothy (Tim) Eugene ScottAuthor Ryan Girdusky: RNC worked best when highlighting 'regular people' as opposed to 'standard Republicans' Now is the time to renew our focus on students and their futures GOP lobbyists pleasantly surprised by Republican convention MORE (S.C.) said earlier this month on ABC's "This Week" that he and other Republicans have "been working for the last several months on different proposals" addressing criminal justice reform.