Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I am pleased that we've finally agreed on language to enhance penalties for female genital mutilation, or FGM, a truly horrible practice. I thank my colleagues in the House who worked with me on this issue. More than 200 million women and girls alive today in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the United States have fallen victim to this monstrous practice. Researchers estimate more than 500,000 women and girls in the U.S. have experienced or are at risk of falling victim to FGM. I introduced legislation on this subject earlier this year, and, although the final language adopted by the House in H.R. 6100 doesn't include the protections I championed in a legally precise manner, it will send a strong message that Congress condemns the violent and disgusting butchery of young girls and women in this country. Federal law bans the practice of FGM. However, in 2018, a district judge in Michigan found unconstitutional under Commerce Clause grounds the Federal statute banning FGM. Rather than appeal, the Department of Justice's Solicitor General wrote a letter asking Congress to amend the law to address the constitutional problem. I ask unanimous consent that this letter be printed in the Record following my remarks. The bill I introduced in response to this request, S. 2017, the Federal Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act of 2019, fixes the constitutional defects by adding specific commerce clause-focused language to the current law.…”