Barbara Boxer: “I want to thank my friends. It looks as though the Chamber is empty here, but everyone had to sign off on this measure…”

“I want to thank my friends. It looks as though the Chamber is empty here, but everyone had to sign off on this measure, and I want to explain what we just did. We passed a very important resolution expressing our support for the young girls who were kidnapped in Nigeria. As I think the world is learning, this is a horrific situation. Kidnapping certainly has no place in any village, in any region, or in any country--not in our country. We know how we feel. We have seen kidnappings recently of women held in captivity. There should be no room anywhere for kidnapping. Today we heard new reports that the suspected Boko Haram gunmen kidnapped eight more girls from the Nigerian village overnight. So clearly the voices of the civilized world must rise and be louder than the terrorists who are taking away basic human rights. Senator Landrieu's resolution we just passed has many supporters on it, including myself. I am also pleased to hear today the administration has committed to acting with the Nigerian Government. As a mother and grandmother, my heart is with all those mothers and grandmothers and dads and grandfathers who want their daughters and granddaughters to come home safely. We cannot stay silent in the face of these unspeakable crimes. We are not silent today as a U.S. Senate. I am so proud we have agreed to this resolution. I want to commend my friend Senator Mikulski. She and Senator Collins have worked on a letter we are sending to the administration.…”