“I just don’t see the wisdom of dividing Republicans on a contentious matter like that before the election,” said Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn. | Al Drago/Getty Images Senate won't take up prison overhaul before midterms

The Senate won’t take up a new package of prison and sentencing reform before the midterm elections, said the chamber’s second-ranking Republican on Wednesday.

Though advocates in the White House and outside groups are pressing for last-minute action, the proposal splits Republicans. And with a packed schedule of spending bills and nominations, Republicans have no desire to enter an intraparty feud before the election.


“I don’t think before the election. I think the sentencing reforms are still controversial and divide Republicans. I just don’t see the wisdom of dividing Republicans on a contentious matter like that before the election,” said Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn of Texas.

Though Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and law enforcement groups are attacking the proposed changes to federal sentencing guidelines as soft on crime, advocates for the criminal justice package are hoping for an endorsement from President Donald Trump. The Koch political operation is also backing the effort.

On Tuesday, Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) announced support for the package, raising hopes for a bipartisan agreement ahead of the election.

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“You have a bill with such overwhelming bipartisan support ... and the support of the White House, I hope, there’s no reason we shouldn’t consider it,” Durbin said. “The last time we had a sentencing bill that passed it was almost 10 years ago. That’s how often you get this opportunity.”

Yet even if Trump weighs in, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) would have to bring it up in the chamber, sapping time and energy that leaders think would be better spent on more popular GOP items like judicial confirmations and spending bills.

