March 1, 2022

Dear Leader Schumer and Republican Leader McConnell,

As you actively negotiate the FY22 omnibus package, we write to support the inclusion of bipartisan bill S.998, the Driving for Opportunity Act, that incentivizes states to stop debt-based driver’s license suspensions, as part of this package.

CEO Action for Racial Equity (CEOARE), is a Fellowship of over 100 companies that mobilizes a community of business leaders and geographies to advance public policy and develop and promote scalable and sustainable public policies and corporate engagement strategies that will address systemic racism, social injustice and improve societal well-being.

As part of our mission to end the criminalization of poverty, we are advocating for the elimination of debt-based driver’s license suspensions.  We believe S. 998, the Driving for Opportunity Act, will help offset many of the harmful and counter-productive impacts of debt-based driver’s license suspensions and reduce the use of such practices.

CEOARE is committed to working with lawmakers to enact policies that bring equity, transparency, and accountability to our justice system.  As a coalition of businesses, we have seen how the cycle of poverty impacts our workforce, our customers and communities.  We support S. 998, the Driving for Opportunity Act, as a way to increase public safety, promote a humane justice system, and save taxpayer and government money in the long-term.  Additionally, this legislation has broad support from a diverse coalition of criminal justice, law enforcement, civil rights and advocacy organizations.

We strongly urge you to build on the bipartisan consensus for S. 998, the Driving for Opportunity Act, and include it as part of the FY22 omnibus package.

Thank you for your leadership.

Sincerely,

CEO Action for Racial Equity

CC:

Hon. Dick Durbin

Hon. Chuck Grassley