Mitch McConnell's Wise Choice to Not Not Play Grinch on First Step

Kudos to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for opting not to play Grinch after all, and instead allow a vote this month on the First Step Act.

Days after The Post and President Trump urged him to bring the bipartisan criminal-justice reform to a vote, McConnell announced that the Senate would vote on First Step with a few new amendments.

Supporters don’t see those changes as poison pills, though foes haven’t given up on trying to reduce the number of inmates eligible to apply for early release.

First Step is a set of prison and sentencing reforms that aim to reduce mandatory minimum sentences, foster rehabilitation and combat recidivism. Violent offenders are ineligible for early-release programs.

Passing the compromise bill now is vital: It may be impossible next year, with Congress even more polarized between a more-Republican Senate and newly Democratic House.