POLITICS DECEMBER 17, 2018 / 4:49 PM / UPDATED 36 MINUTES AGO

Trump-backed criminal justice bill heads for votes in Senate

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Monday prepared to vote this week on bipartisan criminal justice legislation supported by President Donald Trump, although critics were forcing votes on a series of changes before allowing a decision on passage.

The “First Step Act” would ease the way for certain prison inmates to win early release to halfway houses or home confinement. It also would create programs to reduce recidivism and protect first-time non-violent offenders from harsh mandatory minimum sentences.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell noted that a “number” of senators still had problems with the bill, which faced a procedural test on Monday requiring 60 votes of support for the measure to advance.

If backers win that vote, McConnell said amendments would then be debated before a move to pass the legislation later in the week.

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