Sheila Jackson Lee: “I thank the manager of the bill for his leadership continuously on issues of technology as well as his very fine work on…”

“I thank the manager of the bill for his leadership continuously on issues of technology as well as his very fine work on the issues of antitrust. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the manager of this legislation. As well, I thank the Senate and the Senate sponsor for some very important legislation. It is interesting that we would be able to bring this legislation up in a time when our children, in particular, are wedded to virtual technology or virtual learning all over America, leaving them vulnerable in terms of what has the opportunity to become a predator. So, I couldn't think of a more important moment to bring up S. 134, the Combat Online Predators Act, making it very clear the lack of tolerance for practices that would create harassment of children. Clearly, now, with virtual learning being at the cornerstone of the survival of education for our children with COVID-19 raging, it seems an appropriate initiative. The legislation calls for the Attorney General and the Department of Justice to produce an evaluation of Federal, State, and local efforts to enforce laws relating to stalking and to identify and describe elements of these efforts that constitute best practices. Our intent here is to save lives and, as well, to protect our children, protect their minds, protect their thoughts, protect the information that might draw them to leave home.…”