Donald M. Payne: “I rise in support of H.R. 4660, as amended. I would like to commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) for his…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 4660, as amended. I would like to commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) for his leadership in bringing H.R. 4660 to the floor today. The amendment will interpret the term ``kidnapping'' in any extradition treaty to which the U.S. is a party to include parental kidnapping. The amendment will result in three important changes: First, it will cure a disparity between list and dual criminality extradition treaties. Parental kidnapping is an extraditable offense under dual criminality treaties but not list treaties. Second, it will enable the Departments of State and Justice to pursue extradition requests under list treaties for parental kidnapping. This change will grant law enforcement officials the necessary flexibility to process extradition requests. Currently we have two outstanding list treaty requests that cannot be processed because this legislation is not in place. Finally, it will harmonize the term ``parental kidnapping'' in list treaties with U.S. domestic law which makes parental kidnapping a crime. The bill has the support of the Department of Justice and State, and State and local prosecutors. I support this important bill and I urge its adoption.”