[From our friends at Open Society Institute/Open Society Policy Center] The Second Chance Act Status (S.1934) December 5, 2006 This afternoon the Senate sponsors of the Second Chance Act tried to move the bill through the Senate by unanimous consent. In recent days there has been an enormous outreach to Senator Coburn from Okalahomans ranging from state and local government officials, to law enforcement leaders, to service providers, to ordinary citizens. The hope was that all of that and some great press coverage had persuaded Senator Coburn to let the bill pass. However he placed a hold on the bill just a little while ago. Key Senate staff will continue to reach out to Senator Coburn's staff to see if there are ways to address Coburn's concern. There has been some movement from the Coburn office in recent days, but I don't know what the chances are of working something out. The push on the Second Chance Act from a large number of organizations in the reentry working group has really been substantial and sophisticated. Everyone should be proud of your good work. I'll pass on any other information I receive. Gene Guerrero Open Society Institute/Open Society Policy Center 1120 19th Street, N.W., 8th Floor Washington, D.C. 20036 202-721-5607 fax 202-530-0128