Justice for Child Victims

Under current law, federal courts are required to award restitution to any child depicted in sexually explicit material for “the full amount of the victim’s losses.” However, the process is so lengthy and overwhelming only about 20 out of the thousands of child pornography trafficking victims have sought restitution.

On Tuesday, House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte and I joined with Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee to introduce the Justice for Child Victims Act. This legislation creates a compensation fund, fully paid for by child pornography defendants, as an alternative avenue for victims to quickly obtain the financial support needed for recovery.

Congress has a responsibility to enforce the rule of law and protect human dignity with a fair justice system. Victims of child pornography endure severe trauma mentally, physically and emotionally. Ensuring they are able to obtain full restitution is the right and just thing to do to aid the victims and their recovery process. To learn more about the Justice for Child Victims Act, click here.

Photo by Caleb Smith, Office of the Speaker of the House

Since 1964, the Speaker of the House has placed a Christmas tree on the Capitol lawn. Referred to as “The People’s Tree,” each year a different national forest is chosen to provide the tree. This year’s tree is an 80-foot Engelmann spruce from the Payette National Forest in central western Idaho. Speaker Paul Ryan first lit the 2016 Christmas tree during the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Tuesday and the Christmas Tree will remain lit through Christmas. If you are traveling to DC, make sure to stop by and see this beautiful and festive sight. Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! May the Holiday Season bring you and your loved ones joy.