Business groups are continuing to throw their support behind a bipartisan effort to ease prison sentences for nonviolent crimes, with two groups urging lawmakers Monday to pass the legislation.

Both the National Association of Manufacturers and Business Roundtable issued statements endorsing the First Step Act, would reduce the mandatory minimum sentence for many nonviolent crimes under federal law. Among other things, the bill would ease a "three strikes" rule so that people with three or more convictions would get 25 years in prison instead of life, according to an analysis by the news site Vox. http://bit.ly/2BtiS3i

The legislation has been endorsed by Democrats and some Republicans—including President Donald Trump—but has been criticized by conservatives who see it as soft on crime. However, the bill cleared the Senate on Tuesday, having previously picked up endorsements from a wide range of business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Association of Home Builders.

The statements from BRT and NAM came as the legislation appeared stuck in the Senate, where opponents were seeking to roll back some of the suggested sentence reductions.

"The bipartisan approach toward criminal justice reform demonstrates the ability of members of Congress to come together on issues that benefit individuals—in this case, former prisoners—and society at large," BRT said in its statement.

NAM CEO Jay Timmons said lawmakers have "the historic opportunity to give a second chance to many of our fellow Americans so they can contribute to their families, their communities and our economy."

He added that manufacturers believe criminal justice reform is the right thing to do, but also would help them fill much-needed positions.

"(The bill) will improve the fairness of our system, offer redemption for nonviolent offenders and open new doors for Americans looking for the dignity of a job," Timmons said. "Today, manufacturers have more than a half a million jobs we need to fill, so we can help these Americans get a new start, just as they can help us grow and succeed here in the United States."

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