On the recordSeptember 28, 2016
Mr. President, I come to the floor for the same reason Senator Shaheen of New Hampshire is here. I rise today to speak on the Survivors' Bill of Rights. This is a noncontroversial and very bipartisan bill. It has already passed the Senate. Amanda Nguyen is a rape victim and a survivor who has been the driving force behind this legislation. She is founder and president of an organization that goes by the acronym RISE, a group which advocates on behalf of survivors of sexual violence. Amanda has worked hand in hand with both political parties on this bill to establish new rights for survivors of sexual violence. That is the way it should be because regardless of political party, all Members of Congress should be empowering survivors of sexual violence. However, while Republicans were ready to move forward on this bill last week, Democratic leadership has been stalling Amanda's diligent efforts. This bill ensures that all survivors of sexual violence have equal access to all available tools in their pursuit of justice. This includes the proper collection and preservation of forensic evidence that is so vital in cases of sexual violence. This bill also guarantees these survivors a new package of rights. As I said, this is a bipartisan bill, very noncontroversial. It has already passed this body 89 to 0. Each day, others like Amanda will fall victim to sexual violence.…





