Laurel Lee

Ms. LEE of Florida

Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I am prepared to close, and I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, I thank a few of the individuals who helped us get to this place with this bipartisan bill--first, specifically, Right On Crime, who worked with us to develop a bill and make sure that we were capturing important concepts. Second, I thank the ranking member and the Democrats on the committee who worked closely with us to edit, revise, and improve the bill and added important provisions. Because of our collective work together, we took a good bill, and we made it even better. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hamadeh).

Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8481, the Kayleigh's Law Act of 2026, is about ensuring that victims of some of the most serious crimes do not have to live with the constant fear that their offender may one day contact them again. Even when a criminal is sentenced to lifetime probation, opportunities may still exist for an offender's supervision to be terminated, preventing offenders from being fully accountable to both their victims and society. This was all brought into focus by one brave survivor-advocate and Arizona native, Kayleigh Kozak. After learning that her abuser was attempting to terminate his probation, Kayleigh sought a protective order against the man who abused her as a child. However, she was shocked to learn that the court required evidence of a recent encounter between Kayleigh and this man to consider a protective order, effectively denying her request to keep herself safe and free from future contact. Thanks in large part to Kayleigh's advocacy, the Arizona Legislature changed State law to provide for lifetime protection orders. Wisconsin soon followed. Other States, including Texas and Virginia, also provide certain forms of long-term or lifetime protective orders. When the Judiciary Committee held our hearing on this legislation in April, we were honored to hear from Kayleigh herself as she shared her experience and her path toward advocacy. We are equally honored that she joins us today in the gallery of the House of Representatives. This legislation applies the same principles enacted at the State level to Federal offenders and their victims. Victims should not have to return to court repeatedly to face their offenders simply to extend a protective order. They should not have to wait until their offender attempts to contact them before they can petition the court for lifetime protection. Restraining orders or protective orders often last for only a limited period of time, retraumatizing victims who must once again go through the court system to seek ongoing protection. The possibility of future contact can undermine a survivor's sense of safety and make it harder to move forward. This bill provides a straightforward and commonsense solution by authorizing lifetime no-contact orders for offenders convicted of serious Federal violent, sexual, trafficking, and child exploitation offenses. Under this legislation, offenders may be permanently barred from contacting their victims unless the conviction is later invalidated or pardoned. The bill is rooted in a simple principle: Victims deserve lasting protection, and offenders who have committed these heinous acts should not have the ability to reinsert themselves into the lives of those they have harmed. Ultimately, this bill is victim-centered and prioritizes public safety. Kayleigh's Law Act helps ensure that our criminal justice system works for victims and not against them. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 8481.

Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8481) to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for the issuance of natural lifetime injunctions for certain victims, as amended.

Ms. LEE of Florida

Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act, my bipartisan legislation to better protect the men and women who serve in our Federal corrections facilities. Every day, correctional officers and other Bureau of Prisons employees go to work in an environment that is inherently challenging and, at times, dangerous. We ask these law enforcement professionals to maintain order and security in Federal prisons, often working in close proximity to individuals who have been convicted of serious crimes. There are risks that come with that responsibility, but sexual harassment and sexual assault should never be accepted as simply part of the job. The scope of this problem is deeply troubling. A Department of Justice survey of Federal Bureau of Prisons employees found that 40 percent of them reported experiencing sexual harassment or sexual assault by an inmate--40 percent. These are men and women who are serving our country and protecting our communities. They deserve to know that their safety matters, that misconduct against them will be taken seriously, and that those responsible will face meaningful consequences. That is why I introduced the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act. This legislation takes a straightforward, fact-driven approach. First, it requires the Department of Justice inspector general to conduct a comprehensive review of the incidents and the effects of sexual harassment and sexual assault committed by incarcerated individuals against correction officers and other Bureau of Prisons employees. Importantly, we aren't just asking how often this is happening. The inspector general must also examine what happens to inmates who engage in this conduct, including what sanctions and consequences are available and how those consequences have actually been used over the preceding 5 years. That matters because rules on paper mean very little if they aren't effectively protecting the people who work inside these institutions. The inspector general will then report these findings to the Attorney General and to Congress. Based on that work, the Attorney General will be required to establish national standards for the prevention, reduction, and punishment of sexual harassment and sexual assault against Bureau of Prisons personnel. This is what responsible oversight should look like: understand the scope of the problem, determine whether existing consequences are working, and establish clear standards to better protect the people we ask to do this difficult and dangerous work because, ultimately, this bill is about the men and women in the uniform. Our correction officers and prison employees are public servants. They maintain order in some of our Nation's most challenging institutions, and the work they do inside those walls keeps the rest of our communities safe. We ask a great deal from them, and we also should stand up for them. I am proud that this has been a bipartisan effort. I am grateful to Senators Marsha Blackburn and Jon Ossoff for their work advancing the Senate companion. Protecting the men and women who serve in our Federal prisons should not be a partisan issue. No correctional officer should have to accept sexual harassment or assault as a condition of their job. They deserve our respect. They deserve our support, and they deserve our action. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on S. 307.

Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 307) to address sexual harassment and sexual assault of Bureau of Prisons staff in prisons, and for other purposes.

Ms. LEE of Florida

Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1181, the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act. The Second Amendment is a constitutional right. Americans should not have their lawful purchases singled out simply because they choose to exercise that right. This bill stops efforts to create a special system for identifying and organizing purchases made at firearm and ammunition retailers. While its proponents present this as simply an administrative tool, in practice it raises serious concerns about privacy and the unjust treatment of lawful conduct. Americans are increasingly concerned about how much information is collected, stored, and shared. Those concerns are especially valid when it comes to information being tracked that relates to the exercise of a constitutional freedom. Here is the reality: Tracking the lawful purchase of firearms and ammunition creates a framework for collecting information about law-abiding citizens who have done nothing wrong. My home State of Florida already prohibits this type of surveillance. Floridians understand something that most Americans agree with: Your bank should process your transaction, not track your activities. This bill prevents payment networks and financial institutions from requiring special codes for firearms retailers, while preserving existing tools used to combat fraud, protect consumers, maintain cybersecurity, and report suspicious activity. At its core, this legislation is about privacy, fairness, and the principle that the exercise of constitutional rights should never become the basis for surveillance. I thank the chairman and the bill's sponsor for their work on this important issue. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1181.

Ms. LEE of Florida

Ms. LEE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7258, the Energy Emergency Leadership Act. I thank Chairman Guthrie and Ranking Member Castor for their leadership in moving this bill through committee, and also my colleague Representative Landsman for co-leading this bill with me. This legislation passed out of the Subcommittee on Energy unanimously because both Republicans and Democrats on the Committee recognized how critical it is to have accountable leadership protecting our electric grid. Today, the United States is experiencing record energy demand, driven by artificial intelligence, data centers, renewed domestic manufacturing, and widespread electrification across our economy. Meeting that demand safely requires not only robust and reliable generation but also a secure and resilient grid to deliver it. At the same time, the threats to that grid have never been more serious. State-sponsored actors like Volt Typhoon are actively targeting American critical infrastructure. Physical attacks on grid infrastructure are also on the rise. For those of us from Florida, energy emergencies are not theoretical. They are a constant reality. After major hurricanes, a large number of Floridians lose power, and rapid Federal coordination becomes a serious matter of public safety. H.R. 7258 addresses this directly. It ensures that the Department of Energy's emergency and cybersecurity responsibilities are led by a Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary, a clear, accountable leader whose role is codified in statute, not left to chance. This is a practical, bipartisan solution that will help our Federal response and our agencies keep pace with the reality of today's threats. This bill ensures that when an energy emergency strikes, a designated Federal official can cut through bureaucratic barriers, coordinate a clear response, and help keep the lights on for American families. I appreciate the cooperation of Chairman Guthrie, Ranking Member Castor, and all of my colleagues in working together on this bill. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7258.

Ms. LEE of Florida

Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7757, the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act, or the KIDS Act. Children today are growing up in a digital world that looks dramatically different than it did just a generation ago. While technology has created tremendous opportunities to learn and to connect, it has also exposed young people to online predators, sexual exploitation, privacy violations, and increasingly sophisticated threats driven by artificial intelligence. Parents are doing everything they can to protect their children online but should not have to navigate these challenges alone. This legislation includes two bipartisan bills that I have been honored to lead. The first is the Promoting a Safer Internet for Minors Act. I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Soto), my colleague and fellow Floridian, for his support and partnership on this legislation. This bill recognizes that education is one of the strongest tools we have to protect children before they become victims. It directs the Federal Trade Commission to establish a nationwide public awareness campaign that equips parents, educators, and communities with practical, up-to-date guidance on helping children navigate the internet safely and responsibly. The second is COPPA 2.0, which I am proud to lead along with Congressman Tim Walberg. When Congress enacted the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act nearly three decades ago, social media did not exist, and online platforms were not collecting massive amounts of personal information to build user profiles and deliver targeted advertising. This bill brings our privacy laws into the modern era by extending important protections to teenagers, limiting unnecessary data collection, prohibiting targeted advertising to children and to teens, creating clear expectations for tech platforms, and giving families greater control over their personal information. Together, these provisions reflect a simple principle: Protecting children online requires both empowering families with the information they need and ensuring that online platforms handle children's personal information responsibly. Technology will continue to evolve, and our laws must evolve with it. I am grateful to Chairman Guthrie, Subcommittee Chairman Bilirakis, and my colleagues on the committee for their partnership in advancing this legislation. I urge all of my colleagues to support the KIDS Act.

Ms. LEE of Florida

Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Secure America Act, legislation that will secure our border, provide critical resources to law enforcement, and make our communities safer. I want to highlight a provision of this bill that I have spent years fighting to advance, along with the Tim Tebow Foundation and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the bipartisan Renewed Hope Act. Today, more than 89,000 children depicted in child sex abuse material remain unidentified. That means there are 89,000 children who have not yet been found, not yet rescued, and not yet safe. The Renewed Hope Act will give Homeland Security Investigations the analysts, forensic specialists, technology, and training that are needed to identify those children, rescue them, bring them home, and bring their predators to justice. For every child still waiting to be found, this is renewed hope. Every vote for this bill is a vote to find these children. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats alike, to do the right thing: Fight for these children and support this legislation.

Ms. LEE of Florida

Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the day when all Americans can visit a museum that honors the remarkable legacy of women in the United States. For these reasons, I support this effort, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the creation of a Smithsonian museum dedicated to the history of American women. I thank Chairman Steil and Representative Malliotakis for their leadership in this important effort. Before coming to Congress, I had the privilege of serving as Florida's Secretary of State. In that role, I oversaw our State's museums, archives, and historical resources, and I gained a deep appreciation for the importance of preserving our history carefully and telling it well. Museums are not simply collections of artifacts. They are places where we remember who we are, where we came from, and the values that shaped this Nation. The story of America cannot be fully told without the story of American women. From the earliest days of our country, women have helped to build families, communities, and institutions. They served in times of war, advanced science and medicine, strengthened our economy, and helped expand the promise of liberty for future generations. Today, women serve in leadership roles across every aspect of American life, but much of that progress in America is relatively recent. As someone who has spent much of my career in fields historically dominated by men, I know personally how meaningful it is when young women can see the stories of those who came before them. As an example, since the founding of our Nation, roughly 12,000 Americans have served in the United States Congress. Yet, only about 450 of them have been women. Hearing and sharing the stories of those women will no doubt pave the path for the talented generation to come of women leaders in America. Representation matters, and so does remembrance. The stories we preserve shape what the next generation believes is possible. This museum will tell the story of countless women, teachers, entrepreneurs, scientists, soldiers, mothers, and public servants whose perseverance and courage helped shape this Nation. It is disappointing that some Democrats are opposing this museum because it is dedicated to the history and achievements of biological women when we should be coming together to honor the women who helped shape this Nation. As the mother of a daughter, I think often about the examples that she sees and the stories that she learns about the women who helped shape this country. May she know us, may she and all of the other young women like her see what is possible, and may they go further than we ever dreamed. When young girls walk through the Smithsonian and see the contributions of women woven into the fabric of our national history, they will understand something important: that they, too, are foundational to the American story.

Ms. LEE of Florida

Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is just for Holocaust survivors and their heirs to continue to have their claims relating to art stolen from them by the Nazis heard in court. These claims should be decided on the merits, not dismissed due to technical defenses. The Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025 will ensure just that. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick).

Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to bring this legislation before the House today. I thank my bipartisan colleagues in both Chambers who have worked to advance this important effort. In the House, I thank Ranking Member Jamie Raskin and Representatives Scott Fitzgerald, Jerry Nadler, and Maggie Goodlander. In the Senate, I thank Senators John Cornyn, Ted Cruz, Richard Blumenthal, and Chuck Schumer. The Nazi regime committed unimaginable atrocities during the Holocaust, murdering millions of Jews and destroying families, communities, and livelihoods. The regime also carried out a systematic campaign of cultural theft. Hundreds of thousands of works of art and cultural objects were confiscated or misappropriated from Jewish families and other persecuted groups across Europe. These were not simply possessions. They were pieces of family history, identity, and legacy. After World War II, the United States and our Allies attempted to return stolen artwork to their rightful owners, yet many pieces were never reunited with the families from whom they were taken. In the decades since, these works have surfaced in museums, galleries, and private collections around the world. In 1998, the United States convened the Washington Conference on Nazi-Confiscated Art with more than 40 nations. The conference produced the Washington Principles, which called on governments and institutions to take steps to achieve just and fair solutions for families seeking return of their stolen property. Congress took an important step toward that goal in 2016 when it enacted the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act. That law was designed to ensure that Holocaust survivors and their heirs would have a fair opportunity to pursue claims in court and that those claims would be decided on their merits, not dismissed because too much time had passed. Unfortunately, courts have sometimes applied technical defenses in ways that undermine Congress' intent. This means that families who lost everything during the Holocaust can still be denied their day in court because of procedural barriers. This bill fixes that problem. This bill removes the upcoming expiration date in the original law and clarifies that these cases should be decided on the facts, not dismissed on technicalities. As someone who previously served as a judge in Florida and now serves on the Judiciary Committee, I believe deeply that Congress must speak clearly and provide judges with standards and guidance to apply in their courtrooms. Justice should not depend on procedural loopholes or arbitrary decisions when families are seeking the return of property that was stolen during one of history's greatest crimes. Behind every claim is a family story. Even today, descendants of Holocaust victims are still searching for works of art that once hung in their grandparents' homes. In some cases, families spent a generation preserving photographs, letters, and fragments of evidence in hopes of one day recovering a painting or a sculpture that represents their family's past. For many of these families, these cases are not about the monetary value of the artwork. They are about restoring a piece of history that was taken from them. The Nazi regime stole not only lives but legacies. They stole hundreds of thousands of artwork pieces in what has been termed the greatest displacement of art in human history. The Nazis looted over 600,000 works of art and artifacts. To this day, more than 100,000 of these works are not yet recovered. More than 100,000 works of art and artifacts are still missing. This legislation helps to ensure that survivors and their heirs have the opportunity to reclaim those legacies and that their claims are heard fairly in American courts. I thank the many organizations that are supporting this effort, including Art Ashes, the American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League, Jewish Women International, the Florida Holocaust Museum, and many others who continue working to preserve memory and pursue justice. Despite the passage of time since the horrors of the Holocaust, it is never too late to do the right thing. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill and ensure that families seeking the return of their stolen heritage are given the justice that they deserve. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 1884.

Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1884) to clarify the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016, to appropriately limit the application of defenses based on the passage of time and other non-merits defenses to claims under that Act.

Ms. LEE of Florida

Ms. LEE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6732, the Coercion and Sexual Abuse Free Environment Act, and I thank my colleague from Arizona (Mr. Biggs) for his leadership on this critical issue. Madam Speaker, as technology advances, so do the tactics of predators who seek to harm our children. Current Federal statutes were not written with this kind of remote, organized, and coercive abuse in mind. When the law lags behind the tactics of predators, Congress has an obligation to act. We are now confronting a deeply disturbing trend in which organized online networks target vulnerable minors, manipulate them through fear and blackmail, and coerce them into committing acts of violence against themselves, others, or even animals. These online groups use mainstream platforms to gain access to children, extract personal information or images, and then weaponize that material. The result is severe psychological coercion and abuse--children forced into self-mutilation, cruelty to animals, or even suicide, all at the direction of anonymous criminals who often operate across borders and behind ever-changing online identities. Our laws must be able to meet this threat head-on. H.R. 6732 does exactly that. This bill modernizes Federal criminal law by clearly criminalizing the coercion or enticement of a minor to engage in self- harm, animal crushing, or other abusive or degrading conduct. This legislation closes dangerous gaps in current law and sends an unmistakable message: Compelling a child to destroy themselves or to harm others is child abuse. It is criminal, and it will be prosecuted. Madam Speaker, protecting children is one of Congress' most solemn responsibilities. H.R. 6732 is a necessary, targeted, and responsible response to a real and growing threat. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. LEE of Florida

Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6715, the Child Predators Accountability Act, and I thank my colleague from North Carolina for his leadership in advancing this important legislation. Protecting our Nation's children is among the most solemn responsibilities entrusted to Congress. Our criminal statutes must be clear and effective so that individuals who exploit children are held fully accountable under the law. When ambiguity exists, it can undermine enforcement and allow dangerous conduct to fall outside the reach of existing statutes. Recently, a court decision in United States v. Howard highlighted a technical gap in Federal child exploitation law, one that exposed the need for greater clarity in how certain conduct is defined and prosecuted. In that case, the Court interpreted existing statutory language in a way that limited accountability, even though a child's image was used in sexually exploitative conduct. Mr. Speaker, that outcome underscores an important reality. A child is harmed whenever their image is intentionally placed into a sexualized setting. The absence of physical contact or active participation does not eliminate the harm or the violation. This is an issue that I have personally heard about from law enforcement officers who work on these cases every day. I commend Mr. Harris, Chairman Biggs, and Chairman Jordan for ensuring that we address it through the Child Predators Accountability Act, and I thank my colleagues for joining with us in this important work. H.R. 6715 closes a dangerous loophole. It restores clarity, strengthens enforcement, and reaffirms our commitment to protecting children and upholding justice. Mr. Speaker, there should be no ambiguity when it comes to the criminal nature of the sexual exploitation of children. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6715.

Ms. LEE of Florida

Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for their thoughtful debate and for their support on this important issue. This legislation addresses a clear and dangerous gap in Federal law that predators have exploited to harm children online. By explicitly criminalizing threats to distribute child sex abuse material, Congress ensures these heinous acts are prosecuted with the seriousness that they deserve. This legislation reflects the bipartisan recognition that protecting children from exploitation is a shared responsibility. Mr. Speaker, it provides law enforcement with the clarity, consistency, and tools necessary to hold offenders accountable and prevent future harm. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to pass H.R. 6719, the Combating Online Predators Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.