McConnell says Senate will take up criminal justice bill this month

McConnell's comments mark at least a short-term victory for President Donald Trump who backed the legislation as well as advocates for criminal justice reform. Members of McConnell's own caucus -- most vocally Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton -- came out strongly against the legislation, opposition that seemed like it could sideline the legislation for the foreseeable future without assistance from McConnell.

The legislation, known as the First Step Act, would allow some current and future prisoners to get out earlier, and rehabilitate into society through halfway houses, home confinement or other supervision, by reducing drug-related mandatory sentences and making more offenders eligible for early release. For a prisoner to reduce his or her sentence, they'd need to be determined by the Bureau of Prisons as a "low risk" for recidivism and earn credits through certain activities and programs.

McConnell warned in comments he made on the Senate floor that "as a result of this additional legislative business," senators should be prepared to work during the week between Christmas and New Years, saying "members should either prepare to cooperate and work together or prepare for a very very long month."

Cotton criticized the bill in a statement Tuesday, though he acknowledged some changes were made to improve the proposal.

"For months I've said the First Step Act allows violent felons and sex offenders to be released early. I'm pleased the drafters have finally acknowledged that reality and made changes to address some of the specific issues I pointed out," Cotton said. "Unfortunately, the bill still has major problems and allows early release for many categories of serious, violent criminals."