[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 81 (Monday, May 23, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3043-S3047]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ADAM WALSH REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2016

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will 
proceed to the consideration of S. 2613, which the clerk will report.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 2613) to reauthorize certain programs 
     established by the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act 
     of 2006.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, 
which had been reported from the Committee on the Judiciary, with an 
amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu 
thereof the following:

                                S. 2613

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Adam Walsh Reauthorization 
     Act of 2016''.

     SEC. 2. SEX OFFENDER MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE (SOMA) PROGRAM 
                   REAUTHORIZATION.

       Section 126(d) of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and 
     Safety Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16926(d)) is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General 
     $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2018, to be 
     available only for--
       ``(1) the SOMA program; and
       ``(2) the Jessica Lunsford Address Verification Grant 
     Program established under section 631.''.

     SEC. 3. REAUTHORIZATION OF FEDERAL ASSISTANCE WITH RESPECT TO 
                   VIOLATIONS OF REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.

       Section 142(b) of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and 
     Safety Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16941(b)) is amended by 
     striking ``such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 
     2007 through 2009'' and inserting ``to the United States 
     Marshals Service $61,300,000 for each of fiscal years 2017 
     through 2018''.

     SEC. 4. ENSURING SUPERVISION OF RELEASED SEXUALLY DANGEROUS 
                   PERSONS.

       (a) Probation Officers.--Section 3603 of title 18, United 
     States Code, is amended in paragraph (8)(A) by striking ``or 
     4246'' and inserting ``, 4246, or 4248''.
       (b) Pretrial Services Officers.--Section 3154 of title 18, 
     United States Code, is amended in paragraph (12)(A) by 
     striking ``or 4246'' and inserting ``, 4246, or 4248''.

     SEC. 5. SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS' RIGHTS.

       (a) In General.--Part II of title 18, United States Code, 
     is amended by adding after chapter 237 the following:

            ``CHAPTER 238--SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS' RIGHTS

``Sec.
``3772. Sexual assault survivors' rights.

     ``Sec. 3772. Sexual assault survivors' rights

       ``(a) Rights of Sexual Assault Survivors.--In addition to 
     those rights provided in section 3771, a sexual assault 
     survivor has the following rights:
       ``(1) The right not to be prevented from, or charged for, 
     receiving a medical forensic examination.
       ``(2) The right to--
       ``(A) subject to paragraph (3), have a sexual assault 
     evidence collection kit or its probative contents preserved, 
     without charge, for the duration of the maximum applicable 
     statute of limitations or 20 years, whichever is shorter;
       ``(B) be informed of any result of a sexual assault 
     evidence collection kit, including a DNA profile match, 
     toxicology report, or other information collected as part of 
     a medical forensic examination, if such disclosure would not 
     impede or compromise an ongoing investigation; and
       ``(C) be informed in writing of policies governing the 
     collection and preservation of a sexual assault evidence 
     collection kit.
       ``(3) The right, if the Government intends to destroy or 
     dispose of a sexual assault evidence collection kit or its 
     probative contents before the expiration of the applicable 
     time period under paragraph (2)(A), to--
       ``(A) upon written request, receive written notification 
     from the appropriate official with custody not later than 60 
     days before the date of the intended destruction or disposal; 
     and
       ``(B) upon written request, be granted further preservation 
     of the kit or its probative contents.
       ``(4) The right to be informed of the rights under this 
     subsection.
       ``(b) Applicability.--Subsections (b) through (f) of 
     section 3771 shall apply to sexual assault survivors.
       ``(c) Definition of Sexual Assault.--The Attorney General 
     shall by regulation define the term `sexual assault' for 
     purposes of this section.
       ``(d) Funding.--This section, other than paragraphs (2)(A) 
     and (3)(B) of subsection (a), shall be carried out using 
     funds made available under section 1402(d)(3)(A)(i) of the 
     Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10601(d)(3)(A)(i)). 
     No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out this section.''.
       (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of 
     chapters for part II of title 18, United States Code, is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
``238. Sexual assault survivors' rights.....................3772''.....

       (c) Amendment to Victims of Crime Act of 1984.--Section 
     1402(d)(3)(A)(i) of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (42 
     U.S.C. 10601(d)(3)(A)(i)) is amended by inserting after 
     ``section 3771'' the following: ``or section 3772, as it 
     relates to direct services,''.

     SEC. 6. SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS' NOTIFICATION GRANTS.

       The Victims of Crime Act of 1984 is amended by adding after 
     section 1404E (42 U.S.C. 10603e) the following:

     ``SEC. 1404F. SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS' NOTIFICATION GRANTS.

       ``(a) In General.--The Attorney General may make grants as 
     provided in section 1404(c)(1)(A)

[[Page S3044]]

     to States to develop and disseminate to entities described in 
     subsection (c)(1) of this section written notice of 
     applicable rights and policies for sexual assault survivors.
       ``(b) Notification of Rights.--Each recipient of a grant 
     awarded under subsection (a) shall make its best effort to 
     ensure that each entity described in subsection (c)(1) 
     provides individuals who identify as a survivor of a sexual 
     assault, and who consent to receiving such information, with 
     written notice of applicable rights and policies regarding--
       ``(1) the right not to be charged fees for or otherwise 
     prevented from pursuing a sexual assault evidence collection 
     kit;
       ``(2) the right to have a sexual assault medical forensic 
     examination regardless of whether the survivor reports to or 
     cooperates with law enforcement;
       ``(3) the availability of a sexual assault advocate;
       ``(4) the availability of protective orders and policies 
     related to their enforcement;
       ``(5) policies regarding the storage, preservation, and 
     disposal of sexual assault evidence collection kits;
       ``(6) the process, if any, to request preservation of 
     sexual assault evidence collection kits or the probative 
     evidence from such kits; and
       ``(7) the availability of victim compensation and 
     restitution.
       ``(c) Dissemination of Written Notice.--Each recipient of a 
     grant awarded under subsection (a) shall--
       ``(1) provide the written notice described in subsection 
     (b) to medical centers, hospitals, forensic examiners, sexual 
     assault service providers, State and local law enforcement 
     agencies, and any other State agency or department reasonably 
     likely to serve sexual assault survivors; and
       ``(2) make the written notice described in subsection (b) 
     publicly available on the Internet website of the attorney 
     general of the State.
       ``(d) Provision To Promote Compliance.--The Attorney 
     General may provide such technical assistance and guidance as 
     necessary to help recipients meet the requirements of this 
     section.
       ``(e) Integration of Systems.--Any system developed and 
     implemented under this section may be integrated with an 
     existing case management system operated by the recipient of 
     the grant if the system meets the requirements listed in this 
     section.''.

     SEC. 7. WORKING GROUP.

       (a) In General.--The Attorney General, in consultation with 
     the Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in 
     this section as the ``Secretary''), shall establish a joint 
     working group (referred to in this section as the ``Working 
     Group'') to develop, coordinate, and disseminate best 
     practices regarding the care and treatment of sexual assault 
     survivors and the preservation of forensic evidence.
       (b) Consultation With Stakeholders.--The Working Group 
     shall consult with--
       (1) stakeholders in law enforcement, prosecution, forensic 
     laboratory, counseling, forensic examiner, medical facility, 
     and medical provider communities; and
       (2) representatives of not less than 3 entities with 
     demonstrated expertise in sexual assault prevention, sexual 
     assault advocacy, or representation of sexual assault 
     victims, of which not less than 1 representative shall be a 
     sexual assault victim.
       (c) Membership.--The Working Group shall be composed of 
     governmental or nongovernmental agency heads at the 
     discretion of the Attorney General, in consultation with the 
     Secretary.
       (d) Duties.--The Working Group shall--
       (1) develop recommendations for improving the coordination 
     of the dissemination and implementation of best practices and 
     protocols regarding the care and treatment of sexual assault 
     survivors and the preservation of evidence to hospital 
     administrators, physicians, forensic examiners, and other 
     medical associations and leaders in the medical community;
       (2) encourage, where appropriate, the adoption and 
     implementation of best practices and protocols regarding the 
     care and treatment of sexual assault survivors and the 
     preservation of evidence among hospital administrators, 
     physicians, forensic examiners, and other medical 
     associations and leaders in the medical community;
       (3) develop recommendations to promote the coordination of 
     the dissemination and implementation of best practices 
     regarding the care and treatment of sexual assault survivors 
     and the preservation of evidence to State attorneys general, 
     United States attorneys, heads of State law enforcement 
     agencies, forensic laboratory directors and managers, and 
     other leaders in the law enforcement community;
       (4) develop and implement, where practicable, incentives to 
     encourage the adoption or implementation of best practices 
     regarding the care and treatment of sexual assault survivors 
     and the preservation of evidence among State attorneys 
     general, United States attorneys, heads of State law 
     enforcement agencies, forensic laboratory directors and 
     managers, and other leaders in the law enforcement community;
       (5) collect feedback from stakeholders, practitioners, and 
     leadership throughout the Federal and State law enforcement, 
     victim services, forensic science practitioner, and health 
     care communities to inform development of future best 
     practices or clinical guidelines regarding the care and 
     treatment of sexual assault survivors; and
       (6) perform other activities, such as activities relating 
     to development, dissemination, outreach, engagement, or 
     training associated with advancing victim-centered care for 
     sexual assault survivors.
       (e) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Working Group shall submit to the 
     Attorney General, the Secretary, and Congress a report 
     containing the findings and recommended actions of the 
     Working Group.

     SEC. 8. CIVIL REMEDY FOR SURVIVORS OF CHILD SEXUAL 
                   EXPLOITATION AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

       Section 2255(b) of title 18, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``three years'' and inserting ``10 years''; 
     and
       (2) by inserting ``ends'' before the period at the end.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Hampshire.
  Mrs. SHAHEEN. Madam President, I rise to discuss the Sexual Assault 
Survivors' Rights Act. I am very pleased this legislation has been 
incorporated into the Adam Walsh Reauthorization Act that is before us 
this afternoon. I thank the chair and ranking member of the Judiciary 
Committee, Senators Grassley and Leahy, for their help and support in 
moving this important legislation forward.
  The Sexual Assault Survivors' Rights Act builds on the legacy of the 
Crime Victims' Rights Act by establishing our Nation's first set of 
codified, court-enforceable rights to address unique issues faced by 
sexual assault survivors. These rights, coupled with renewed efforts to 
educate survivors about available options and resources, will help 
empower survivors already in the justice system. In addition, this bill 
will send a powerful message to survivors all across the country: You 
do have rights. We do care about you. If you choose to come forward, we 
are going to be there for you, and we are going to ensure a justice 
system that treats you with dignity and fairness.
  As many of our colleagues know, sexual assault remains one of the 
most pervasive and complex challenges in our justice system. It affects 
every segment and demographic of our society, young and old, rich and 
poor, rural and urban. The immediate physical harm of an attack can 
result in a lifetime of emotional scars and lingering stigma.
  Sexual assault is also one of the most difficult crimes to prosecute. 
For starters, it is the most underreported crime in our country. The 
Department of Justice estimates that nearly 70 percent of attacks go 
unreported and only a small percentage of perpetrators go to prison.
  When we ask survivors why other victims don't come forward and press 
charges, they tell us our justice system seems to be working against 
them, not for them. They even say the trauma of an attack can be 
compounded by the disappointment they feel when our legal system puts 
so many needless obstacles in the path of justice. For survivors, it is 
too often a grueling and bewildering process. Many feel intimidated and 
ultimately choose not to go forward. Some who may initially file 
charges give up before their case is resolved or they simply slip 
through the cracks. In many States, sexual assault survivors risk 
having their untested rape kits destroyed, sometimes without their 
knowledge.
  This issue came to the attention of my office when a 24-year-old 
young woman, Amanda Nguyen, came to my office and told me about her 
experience with this very issue. She had the tragic circumstance of 
having been raped in Massachusetts, and despite the State's 20-year 
statute of limitations for sexual assault, Amanda has had to return to 
the same police station every 6 months just to make sure her rape kit 
evidence is not destroyed. That means that every 6 months she has to 
relive the crime that was committed against her. She has to meet with a 
different person, reexplain her situation, and hope her evidence is not 
destroyed. What is worse, if Amanda had not been proactive in figuring 
out all the relevant policies, her evidence could have been destroyed 
without her even being notified.
  Fortunately, Amanda didn't give up. She decided this was wrong and 
she was going to do something about it. She visited a number of offices 
across Capitol Hill, and when she got to ours, we said: You are right. 
This is wrong. We need to do something about it, and we worked with her 
and with an organization she started called Rise to put together 
legislation that could serve as a model for the rest of the country.
  Fortunately, the Senate has an opportunity to respond to the issues 
Amanda raised and so many people have faced across this country. This 
bill will establish in the Adam Walsh

[[Page S3045]]

Reauthorization Act the first set of court-enforceable rights for 
survivors of sexual assault codified in the U.S. Criminal Code. These 
rights are specifically designed to address many of the unique 
challenges faced by survivors of sexual assault. They include 
commonsense changes, such as ensuring that survivors are not charged 
for the rape kits, requiring that the relevant evidence be kept for the 
entire statute of limitations period, the right to be informed of the 
medical results of a rape forensic examination, and the right to have 
written notice before a rape kit containing critical evidence is 
destroyed.
  It is important to note that the rights contained in this bill would 
only apply at the Federal level. However, they are drawn from best 
practices developed by many States, and we are hopeful they will serve 
as a model and a catalyst for each of the 50 States to enact or improve 
their own survivor bill of rights. Already we have heard from several 
State legislators who intend to introduce bills mirroring the Federal 
standards in this legislation.
  We know the status quo is not acceptable. Currently, inadequate laws 
work against survivors, against law enforcement, and against 
prosecutors--serving only the perpetrators who too often remain at 
large. It is past time for a reform process that ends the silence 
surrounding sexual assault, brings it out of the shadows, and gives 
survivors a fair shot at justice. This is exactly what the Sexual 
Assault Survivors' Rights Act will do.
  I am so pleased it has been included in the Adam Walsh 
Reauthorization Act that is before us today. Again, I thank the 
Judiciary Committee. I thank Amanda Nguyen and Rise. They have been so 
critical to getting this legislation included in the Adam Walsh Act, 
and I urge my colleagues to support this bill when it comes to the 
floor.
  Madam President, I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Coats). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, today we will vote on the Adam Walsh 
Reauthorization Act of 2016. Passage of this bipartisan bill will send 
a strong and clear message to the American people about Congress's 
steadfast commitment to keeping our children safe from sexual predators 
and other violent criminals.
  Many of us supported the original Adam Walsh Child Protection and 
Safety Act, which is so named for a 6-year-old boy who was abducted and 
tragically murdered nearly 35 years ago. Adam Walsh was abducted on 
July 27, 1981, from a mall in Hollywood, FL. In what is every parent's 
nightmare, Adam's remains were found 2 weeks later, more than 100 miles 
from his home.
  This year marks the 35th anniversary of his disappearance. In the 
intervening years, his parents, John and Reve Walsh, have dedicated 
their lives to protecting children from harm and bringing child 
predators to justice. John Walsh collaborated on the development of the 
original Adam Walsh Act, and he has continued to provide invaluable 
insight regarding the reauthorization bill that is before us today.
  This bill is yet another bipartisan measure that the Senate Judiciary 
Committee reported unanimously in the 114th Congress. Senators Hatch, 
Schumer, and Feinstein, who all cosponsored an early Senate version of 
the 2006 Adam Walsh Act, have once again joined as original cosponsors 
of this legislation. I want to also thank our committee's ranking 
member, Senator Leahy, as well as Senator Ayotte and other Members of 
this Chamber who have joined as cosponsors or contributed in some way 
to the bill's success.
  As a reminder, the Adam Walsh Act originally was enacted in response 
to notorious cases involving children who had been targeted by adult 
criminals, many of them repeat sex offenders. The names Johnny Gosch, 
Eugene Martin, and Jetseta Gage, for example, still bring heartbreak to 
all Iowans. Johnny Gosch was a 12-year-old paperboy delivering 
newspapers in West Des Moines, IA, when he disappeared in 1982. Two 
years later, 13-year-old Eugene Martin disappeared in Des Moines, IA--
also while delivering newspapers. And 10-year-old Jetseta Gage was 
kidnapped, raped, and murdered by a convicted sex offender in rural 
Johnson County, IA in 2005.
  The original Adam Walsh Act was enacted in response to these and many 
other cases involving missing children. The 2006 law established 
numerous programs, but their authorization expired some years ago. 
Several of these programs, for which Congress continues to provide 
funding in the annual appropriations process, are the centerpiece of 
the Adam Walsh Act and are key to its successful implementation. This 
bill would extend the authorization for these pivotal programs.
  First, this bill would reauthorize the sex offender management 
assistance program. It is estimated that there are more than 700,000 
registered sex offenders in the United States. This program helps 
States to meet national notification and registration standards for 
these sex offenders. It also helps State and local law enforcement 
agencies improve their sex offender registry systems and information 
sharing capabilities.
  Second, this bill would extend the Jessica Lunsford Address 
Verification Grant Program. Who can forget Jessica Lunsford, for whom 
this program is named? This 9-year-old Florida girl was abducted and 
murdered by a registered sex offender who lived nearby. Her story is 
not unlike that of 10-year-old Jetseta Gage.
  The Jessica Lunsford program authorizes grants to State and local 
governments to help fund programs that verify the residences of 
registered sex offenders. Having accurate information on where sex 
offenders live is crucial to ensuring that law enforcement can 
adequately protect the safety of children and keep the public informed.
  Third, this bill authorizes continued funding for the U.S. Marshals 
Service to support local efforts to track down sex offenders who fail 
to register as such or who later disappear from the system. These 
fugitive apprehension activities, authorized under the original Adam 
Walsh Act, continue to be funded by appropriators, but they need to be 
reauthorized. Extending the authorization signals Congress's continued 
commitment to ensuring that these activities continue.
  Fourth, during the committee markup of this bill, I offered a 
substitute amendment that incorporates a package of new rights for 
sexual assault survivors. It was accepted with the unanimous support of 
our committee members. Several members worked with me on its 
development, and I appreciate their contributions. I want to especially 
thank Ms. Amanda Nguyen, a young woman who has bravely spoken out about 
her experience of sexual assault. Amanda, who founded a nonprofit known 
as RISE, originated the idea for a survivors' rights package and urged 
me to incorporate such language in this bill.
  The package we adopted in the Judiciary Committee includes new 
rights, under our Federal Criminal Code, for victims of sexual assault 
offenses. These rights are in addition to those already available to 
all victims of crime under the Federal Criminal Code. They include the 
right not to be prevented from or charged for receiving a medical 
forensic exam. They include the right to have a sexual assault evidence 
collection kit preserved without charge for the statutory limitations 
period or 20 years. They include the right to be informed of the 
results of that kit's analysis, as well as policies governing the kit's 
collection and preservation. They include the right to notice when the 
government intends to dispose of a sexual assault evidence collection 
kit. RISE endorsed these provisions last July.
  The bill reported by our committee also clarifies that the Justice 
Department can make discretionary grants available, under the crime 
victims fund, to States that agree to notify sexual assault survivors 
of any applicable rights under state law. The bill calls for the 
establishment of a Federal working group to disseminate best practices 
for the care and treatment of sexual assault survivors and for the 
preservation of forensic evidence. The

[[Page S3046]]

bill also would extend the statutory deadline by which child victims of 
certain human trafficking and child abuse offenses can file suit 
against their perpetrators.
  We also added language to the bill, at the suggestion of the Judicial 
Conference of the United States, to clarify that courts can supervise 
sexual offenders after their release from civil confinement. Courts 
already do this in practice, just as they do with criminal offenders 
after their release, but this legislation clarifies judges' authority 
to do so.
  Before concluding, I should mention that the Adam Walsh 
Reauthorization Act not only has the bipartisan support of members of 
this chamber, but also has the support of groups that advocate for 
child protection and safety, such as the National Center for Missing 
and Exploited Children. It has been endorsed by two leading antihuman 
trafficking organizations, Polaris and Shared Hope International. And 
as already mentioned, the current version has the support of John Walsh 
and RISE.
  Finally, I want to reiterate that the 35th anniversary of the 
abduction of and murder of young Adam Walsh will take place in July. It 
is my hope that we can send this legislation to the President's desk 
before that date passes. As a father and as a grandfather, I cannot 
stress enough the importance of making this bill's passage a priority 
for the 114th Congress.
  We cannot bring back Adam Walsh, Jetseta Gage, Jessica Lunsford, or 
the other innocent children we have lost under such terrible 
circumstances. But we can do our best to honor their memory and to 
protect America's present and future children by extending these key 
programs that were authorized under the original Adam Walsh Act.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, soon the Senate will vote on legislation to 
reauthorize key elements of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety 
Act. I supported this important law when it was first enacted nearly 10 
years ago, and I am proud to be a cosponsor of this reauthorization 
bill.
  Both the original legislation and the reauthorization bill we are 
voting on today bear the name of Adam Walsh, a young boy who was 
abducted and murdered nearly 35 years ago. Since that tragic day, 
Adam's father, John, has been a determined and tireless advocate on 
behalf of missing and exploited children. I have worked with John Walsh 
and others over the years to protect the most vulnerable among us. As a 
Senator and former prosecutor--but most importantly, as a father and a 
grandfather--I take seriously my duty to protect the children of 
Vermont and every community throughout the country.
  The Adam Walsh Reauthorization Act will reauthorize two important 
programs that assist State and local law enforcement agencies to 
monitor and apprehend sex offenders. Specifically, this legislation 
authorizes the Attorney General to continue providing grants to State 
and local law enforcement agencies in their efforts to improve sex 
offender registry systems. The bill also reauthorizes funding for 
grants to improve information sharing and verification and supports the 
work of the U.S. Marshals Service in helping State and local law 
enforcement to locate and apprehend sex offenders who fail to comply 
with registration requirements.
  For more than three decades, the National Center for Missing and 
Exploited Children, NCMEC, has served as a national clearinghouse on 
issues related to missing and exploited children. I know that the 
center works closely with the marshals and other Federal, State, and 
local law enforcement agencies, and the Adam Walsh Reauthorization Act 
will help further our support for these collaborative efforts. NCMEC 
has played a vital role in these efforts, which is why last Congress, I 
helped lead the fight to reauthorize NCMEC, so that it could continue 
its important work.
  The bill also includes an important set of provisions authored by 
Senator Shaheen to protect the rights of sexual assault survivors, 
particularly with regard to sexual assault and rape kits. I want to 
thank and applaud Senator Shaheen for her hard work and leadership on 
the Sexual Assault Survivors Rights Act. As an original cosponsor of 
her bill, I supported the inclusion of her important measure as part of 
this bill.
  I encourage all Senators to support this bill. I hope that the House 
will take it up and promptly pass it so that it can be signed into law 
by the President. There is no need to delay any longer our support for 
the Federal, State, and local enforcement agencies that work tirelessly 
to protect the children of our community. But once this bill become 
law, our job does not end there. It is not sufficient to just pay lip 
service to this issue and allow Congress to pat itself on the back for 
passing an authorization bill. Just as we have seen with our efforts to 
combat the opioid abuse epidemic, a bill that authorizes programs is 
important and worthy of support, but ultimately an empty promise if it 
is not backed up with the actual Federal resources that Congress 
authorizes. I will keep fighting to ensure that Congress puts its money 
where its mouth is and provides the funding that is necessary to 
support these important efforts. I will continue fighting to improve 
our laws so that we protect the most vulnerable in all of our 
communities.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I support the ``Adam Walsh 
Reauthorization Act of 2016,'' an important bill crafted to protect--
and support--victims of sex crimes. I am proud to be an original 
cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators 
Grassley and Schumer.
  The bill reauthorizes important programs that assist States in 
managing sex offenders and reauthorizes the U.S. Marshals Service 
efforts to locate and apprehend these offenders. The bill also protects 
the rights of sexual assault survivors. For example, it includes 
provisions to ensure sexual assault survivors are notified of their 
rights, such as the right to have a sexual assault medical forensic 
examination.
  For many years, Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona and I pushed to provide 
victims of crime with basic protections in the criminal justice system. 
Those efforts culminated with the passage of the Crime Victims' Rights 
Act of 2004.
  This bill similarly recognizes the rights of victims of sexual 
assault--an important step forward.
  Finally, the bill includes a provision that I authored, along with 
Senator Cornyn, to extend the time for minor victims of sex crimes to 
pursue justice against their perpetrators.
  Across this country, those who were sexually exploited as children 
are courageously coming forward, many years after the abuse took place.
  My office has heard from a number of victims from California who--in 
the height of their innocence as children--were subjected to untold 
abuse and sexual exploitation. Many of these victims were not able to 
come forward until many years later--after they had reached adulthood.
  To address this, I authored language to extend the statute of 
limitations for minor victims of Federal sex crimes. Specifically, 
section 8 of the bill extends the civil statute of limitations until 
the age of 28 to allow minor victims of sex offenses, including sexual 
abuse and child pornography, to sue their perpetrators.
  This brings the statute of limitations in line with a similar law 
that provides a remedy for victims of sex trafficking. This provision 
is one step in the right direction, but we must do more to reform the 
statute of limitations for minor victims of Federal sex offenses.
  Indeed, Senator Cornyn and I recently introduced legislation called 
the Extending Justice for Sex Crime Victims Act of 2016. This bill 
would clarify the law so that the civil statute of limitations for 
Federal sex crime victims begins to run 10 years after the later of 
when the victim actually discovers the injury or the violation, or when 
the victim turns 28 years old. This is important because victims of sex 
crimes are sometimes abused even before they can remember or understand 
the abuse--some as young as 3 years old.
  I am hopeful that the Senate will take up and pass the bill I have 
introduced separately with Senator Cornyn to address this issue.
  I am pleased to support the Adam Walsh Reauthorization Act of 2016 
today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa.
  Mrs. ERNST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in 
morning business.

[[Page S3047]]

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Hearing none, it is so ordered.


                 Honoring Women Airforce Service Pilots

  Mrs. ERNST. Mr. President, I am pleased to report that last week, 
bipartisan legislation to restore the rights of the Women Airforce 
Service Pilots, or WASP, to have their ashes inurned at Arlington 
National Cemetery was signed into law.
  I was proud to have led the Senate's effort, with Senator Mikulski, 
to honor this group of revolutionary women who courageously served our 
country. I thank Congresswomen Martha McSally and Susan Davis for their 
leadership and for spearheading this bill in the House.
  On the heels of Pearl Harbor, these trailblazing women bucked the 
status quo and made tremendous sacrifices for this Nation. They joined 
a groundbreaking flight training program for women, flying noncombat 
service missions for the Army Air Force to free their male counterparts 
for combat duty overseas. The WASP willingly put their lives on the 
line for this country during a time of war. This work wasn't easy and 
certainly contained peril. In fact, 38 WASP died in service to our 
great country during World War II. Their sacrifice and love for this 
Nation deserves to be celebrated and always remembered.

  Iowa was at one time or another home to at least 25 courageous WASP. 
While they were eventually granted veteran status in 1977, it was not 
until 2002 that the Army allowed these women to have their ashes placed 
in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. In 2015 that 
honor was inexplicably and wrongly revoked by the Army.
  With less than 100 WASP still living, time was short to do what was 
right and honor these women for their selfless sacrifice and service to 
our Nation. They were role models for women in the military, like me, 
and proved their strength and fortitude in the missions they carried 
out.
  I want to take this time to honor these extraordinary women and thank 
them for their remarkable military service. As Memorial Day approaches, 
I am grateful that we can restore a basic honor to them and their 
families through this law.
  Thank you, Mr. President.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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