Posted on 05/11/2015 12:10:13 PM PDT by jazusamo
The senators, including 26 Democrats and presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders (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 Brown (Ohio), Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.), Chris Murphy (Conn.), Chris Coons (Del.), Dick Durbin (Ill.), Al Franken (Minn.), Ed Markey (Mass.), Tim Kaine (Va.), Jeff Merkley (Ore.), Patrick Leahy (Vt.), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), Tammy Baldwin (Wis.), Ron Wyden (Ore.), Mark Warner (Va.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Patty Murray (Wash.), Tom Udall (N.M.), Tom Carper (Del.), Ben Cardin (Md.), Jack Reed (R.I.), Joe Manchin (W.Va.), Amy Klobuchar (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 Scott (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.
“Convicted? No, never convicted.”
“Twenty-seven senators want President Obama to block federal agencies and contractors from asking job applicants about prior criminal convictions.”
Ban all the boxes. Don’t think it is important that you answer whether you are white or black, handicapped or not, man or woman, etc.
Funny thing though, no where have I seen anything on a job application asking whether I was gay or not. Interesting.
If any President has the power to order this change — then the President was WAY TOO MUCH power.
I agree, of course the in-your-face 0bama takes pleasure in these type actions.
Isn’t it probably pretty easy in today’s day and age to do a background search without big brother knowing you did it?
“Joe Manchin (W.Va.)” I am a little surprised that he is on the list but it does further define him. Democrats lowering the standards once again.
Fine with me. I’ll simply ask them in the interview. Or...put a new ‘box’ on the application; Have you ever been arrested and jailed? If yes, specify.
Or open new markets to ply their 'trade'.
Turning America into a ghetto...
This will be on FBI, Secret Service, NSA, US Treasury applications too???
What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
You're a mouse click away from knowing anyone's criminal back ground.
If the federal government can ask you on a Form 4473 that question and about a dozen others then a candidate for office requiring Senate concurrence should damn well have to.
then what teeth would a law like this have? just wondering. and could we then get ex con murderers to apply en masse to be Bernie Sanders’ assistants?
I can see why they might be a little nervous about interviewing for a job after a felony conviction...
If it will cripple the U.S. in any way, he will do it.
“Ban the box,” including job applications at daycares? Whether a job applicant has served time for child molestation is now going to be protected info?
The law wouldn’t have any “teeth”, that’s not it’s purpose, it’s designed to make liberals “feel good”.
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