Bob Menendez: “I thank my distinguished senior Senator from New Jersey for yielding time and for his leadership on this issue. I rise…”

“I thank my distinguished senior Senator from New Jersey for yielding time and for his leadership on this issue. I rise in opposition to the Child Custody Protection Act in support of a real solution to the problem of teen pregnancy. I don't support the legislation because it is nothing more than a misguided election- year ploy based on a false premise. Instead of punishment, we should be focused on prevention. Instead of putting people in jail, we should be preventing teens from getting pregnant in the first place. That is why I am joining my fellow Senator from New Jersey in offering a comprehensive approach to prevent teen pregnancy. Our amendment will help prepare young people with the knowledge and skills to make responsible decisions and offer them an opportunity to succeed in life. In a Senate filled with many different views on the right path for our country, it is refreshing to recognize we can all agree that we need to reduce the number of teenage abortions. But there is still disagreement about how to achieve that goal. Many in this Senate believe the answer is to criminalize caring adults and threaten innocent youth. I cannot disagree more. The solution to this problem does not lie in the courtroom but rather in our classrooms and afterschool programs. Don't take my word for It. Look at this past weekend's Wall Street Journal--not a bastion of liberalism.…”