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Rand Paul Takes On "Sentencing Disparities"

U.S. Senator Rand Paul will introduce legislation today that will eliminate federal sentencing disparities between crack and powder cocaine. 

Paul made the announcement during a speech to the National Urban League's annual convention.  It is the latest in a series of proposals Paul has introduced that are designed to correct the racial imbalance of the nation's criminal justice system in advance of a possible 2016 run for president. 

Crack cocaine carries stiffer penalties than powder cocaine.  The majority of people arrested for crack cocaine offenses are African-American.  Paul has also sponsored legislation to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences, restore the voting rights to some convicted felons and make it easier for people to expunge their criminal records. 

Paul said anyone who says race does not skew the criminal justice system is not paying attention.