Political Quotes

“I would like to recognize the 193 additional survivors who have chosen not to be identified publicly by name. They, too, contributed to this cause, and they, too, deserve to be recognized, as do survivors in the future who will come forward under the tools and mechanisms that we are establishing today. They should be recognized, valued, and cherished for their courage in the future, as well as the past. Over these past years, Senator Moran and I heard again and again and again that the USOPC and the NGBs have failed their athletes at every turn. Men and women in these organizations knew what was happening, and they did nothing. They already had a legal duty under the law to report what was going on. Clearly, laying out in the law what should be obvious--that you must report allegations of sexual misconduct involving minors--was not enough for them. They betrayed not only their trust to these athletes but their legal and moral responsibilities. The bill that we have passed today provides for enforcement and deterrence, and it gives Congress essential oversight tools to assure that the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and NGBs will comply with the heightened standards that this bill spells out. No one in these organizations can plausibly claim ignorance now of the duty to report these heinous crimes, and, if they try, Congress has the ability and responsibility to intervene.…”