    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [November 10, 1993]
    [Page 1952]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Attorney General Janet Reno on Child Pornography
    November 10, 1993

    Dear Madam Attorney General:
        A dispute recently has arisen over the scope of the current federal
    child pornography law. This dispute impelled the Senate to adopt a
    ``sense of the Senate'' resolution expressing its view that the law
    reaches broadly. I fully agree with the Senate about what the proper
    scope of the child pornography law should be.
        I find all forms of child pornography offensive and harmful, as I
    know you do, and I want the federal government to lead aggressively in
    the attack against the scourge of child pornography. It represents an
    unacceptable exploitation of children and contributes to the degradation
    of our national life and to a societal climate that appears to condone
    child abuse.
        This Administration supports the broadest possible protections
    against child pornography and exploitation. I understand that the
    Justice Department recently filed a brief in which the Department
    concluded that the current child pornography law is not as broad as it
    could be. Accordingly, the Justice Department should promptly prepare
    and submit any necessary legislation to ensure that federal law reaches
    all forms of child pornography, including the kinds of child pornography
    at issue in the Senate resolution.
        Sincerely,

                                                                Bill Clinton

    Note: This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    November 11.