WASHINGTON (AP) — A widening Republican rift over revamping the nation's criminal justice system is dashing hopes for overhaul in the final year of President Barack Obama's tenure despite strong bipartisan support and a concerted effort by the second-ranking GOP senator. The bipartisan legislation, passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee in November, would give judges discretion to give lesser sentences than federal mandatory minimums, eliminating mandatory life sentences for three-time, nonviolent drug offenders. Disparate voices — from Obama and the American Civil Liberties Union to the conservative Koch Industries — have said the system is broken and backed the Senate bill. [...] some Republicans are worried that the reduction in mandatory minimums would lead to the release of violent felons — a criticism Cornyn and other supporters dispute. Cruz has said lawmakers should expect to be held accountable by their constituents if criminals were released and committed additional crimes, and added: "I don't think what the justice system needs is additional leniency for violent criminals." He has deep personal experience with the issues as a former district judge, member of the Texas Supreme Court and Texas attorney general. [...] as the No.