[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 91 (Thursday, May 25, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E725]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         CHILD PROTECTION BILLS

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                       HON. LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2017

  Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
1842, 1862 and 1761. While I support these bills, I do not support the 
mandatory minimum requirements in them.
  As a mother I constantly worry about the wellbeing of my children, 
and as a legislator I am concerned about the wellbeing of all our 
nation's children. These bills are very well meaning and I thank my 
colleagues for all the hard work done on them. No one here wants to see 
a child sexually assaulted or abused. Violence against children can 
have long lasting physical and emotional effects on a child. These 
bills go a long way and making sure those who commit these heinous 
crimes are punished.
  While these bills address important issues and help to further 
protect our children, the mandatory minimum provisions are concerning 
to me. These bills would expand the number of individuals subject to 
mandatory minimums. Mandatory minimums are an unfair one size fits all 
solution that often do not take into account circumstances of a crime. 
Drug related mandatory minimums have led to increased prison 
population. Many of these people were given harsh and overly punitive 
prison time. We should not be looking for ways to increase the use of 
mandatory minimums, but ways to return discretion to judges.
  Congress should not be legislating sentencing. This discretion should 
be left in the hands of judges. Judges are able to adapt sentences to 
fit the individual circumstances of particular crimes and offenders. My 
hope is that we are able to work together to protect our nation's 
children and give our judges the judicial discretion they need when it 
comes to sentencing those convicted in a court of law.

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