(Washington, DC) -- Senator Sheldon Whitehouse is taking some credit for the U.S. Senate passing criminal justice reform legislation. The First Step Act, passed on Tuesday, expands job training and other prison programs designed to keep inmates from returning once they are free and expands early release programs for low-risk inmates. Whitehouse noted in a statement that the act is based on legislation he introduced with Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas back in 2013.