Speech #1100198148

This bill creates a tough new criminal provision aimed at those who recruit or conscript children under the age of 15 into armed conflict. It extends U.S. jurisdiction to perpetrators of this crime who are present in the United States. regardless of their nationality and where the crime takes place. so that those who exploit children will not find this country to be a sanctuary from prosecution. The bill also amends immigration law to allow those who have used children as soldiers to be barred or removed from the United States. This bill is the second piece of legislation to pass both houses of Congress resulting from the work of the Judiciary Committees Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law. I was proud to work with Senator DURBIN to create the Human Rights and the Law Subcommittee.