A Second Chance for All: Urging the Trump-Vance Administration to Champion Clean Slate
At The Clean Slate Initiative (CSI), we believe that people should not be defined by their past, and that everyone should have the opportunity to contribute to their communities, pursue education and employment, and reach their full potential. And we know that a new presidential administration presents a new opportunity to prioritize automated record sealing policies and provide second chances for millions of Americans.
Currently, there is no standard process for sealing federal records. While some limited avenues exist for rectifying invalid convictions or clerical errors, even those opportunities are rare.
That’s why we’re calling on the Trump-Vance administration to prioritize federal Clean Slate legislation within their first 100 days in office. This transformative policy would create a first-of-its-kind federal process for record sealing, opening doors for millions of Americans to access jobs, housing, and education without being held back by outdated, low-level conviction records.
Federal Clean Slate legislation, previously championed in Congress with strong bipartisan support, proposes a pathway for individuals to petition for the sealing of low-level federal conviction records. It would also establish a streamlined, automated system to seal eligible records—such as certain drug-related offenses—for people who have completed their sentences and remained crime-free for a set period of time.
CSI sent a policy proposal to the Trump-Vance transition team, outlining steps they can take to prioritize Clean Slate in their first 100 days. Here’s what we proposed to the new administration:
Pass Federal Clean Slate Legislation: Support the passage of federal Clean Slate legislation by engaging in targeted bipartisan outreach and highlighting Clean Slate in Federal legislative agendas;
Launch Federal Record Clearing Programs: Initiate federal record clearing programs through executive action, establishing pilot projects within the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Labor (DOL); and
Raise Awareness: Launch a public engagement campaign to drive national awareness about Clean Slate.
Clean Slate is a proven bipartisan policy. Support for Federal Clean Slate legislation is backed by over 50 organizations, including Right on Crime, the Conservative Political Action Conference, and numerous grassroots organizations. This coalition demonstrates the broad appeal of Clean Slate and underscores its potential as a unifying issue in justice reform.
To date, twelve states have passed Clean Slate policies that meet CSI’s policy criteria — including red states, blue states, and purple states, because it’s easy to support legislation that benefits our economy, our communities, and our families. When people with records face barriers to employment, housing, and education, their potential contributions to society are stifled. Federal Clean Slate legislation would remove these barriers, allowing them to participate fully in the workforce, contribute to the economy, and support their families.
In the states that have passed Clean Slate policies, over 15 million people have become eligible for full or partial record sealing. States have led the way, and it's time for the federal government to catch up and provide a path to a fresh start.
By passing Federal Clean Slate legislation, Congress can make second chances a reality — and the Trump-Vance administration’s support will help us get there.
Take Action!
Contact your representatives in Congress and urge them to support federal Clean Slate legislation in 2025. Let your voice be heard and help make second chances a reality for Americans with federal records.