Martha Roby

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer a commonsense amendment that will allow the courts, rather than the majority in the House, to decide the fate of a proposed rule set forth by the Department of Health and Human Services. In February of this year, HHS issued a new rule that would restrict Title X family planning grants from going to entities that are not physically and financially separated from abortion providers. But a series of court injunctions have frozen these new rule changes and, as a result, hundreds of Planned Parenthood facilities nationwide are still receiving Federal tax dollars. Americans have made it clear time and time again that they don't want their tax dollars paying for abortions. This rule, which prevents any tax dollars from going to any abortion- providing facility, is going through the constitutional challenges of our judicial process. Unfortunately, lawmakers here in the House have chosen to tie the hands of HHS through legislation by effectively stating that the HHS Secretary may only act in accordance of ``regulations and instructions'' established before January 18, 2017, just 2 days before Donald Trump became President. My amendment would strike that provision, allowing the U.S. courts to decide if HHS' proposed rule should stand. We cannot handcuff the current administration to regulations of past administrations, and I ask my colleagues to support my amendment. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Chair, I have no other speakers, and I am prepared to close. I am unapologetically pro-life, and I will continue to use this platform and every opportunity it provides to stand up for those who cannot defend themselves. Congress must ensure that our constituents' tax dollars are not being used to end innocent lives. This is our enduring responsibility. Mr. Chair, I ask my colleagues to please support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Madam Speaker, as a member of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, I rise regarding today's full Appropriations Committee action on the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Fiscal Year 2020 funding bill. This bill provides vital resources and programs supporting American and global interests around the world. As you know, the United States is a leader in global health, and it is important that we remain engaged and not become complacent, especially as life-threatening diseases begin to advance and mutate. The State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill funds several health-related foreign policies that provide assistance, along with our partners, to eradicate deadly and preventable diseases worldwide. The Global Fund is one of these critical programs funded in this bill. As one of the world's most effective health organizations, it has delivered real results combatting deadly diseases, saving over 27 million lives since its conception. The Global Fund partnership invests billions of dollars annually to support programs fighting AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria around the world. Madam Speaker, unfortunately, due to policies unrelated to the Global Fund, I was unable to support this funding bill in its entirety during last week's Committee consideration. However, I would like to express the importance of the United States' participation in this partnership, and the clear signal to the rest of the world that the United States will continue to lead with its commitment to the Global Fund. I remain committed to working with my colleagues to find an agreement with the Senate and the Administration on the overall Fiscal Year 2020 funding level. Without an agreement, the Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations process will continue to have a difficult path towards funding the government. Madam Speaker, I call on my colleagues from both sides of the aisle and both sides of the Capitol to come together and work towards a common goal of getting to an agreement for the overall funding amount for Fiscal Year 2020.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce on their 100th anniversary. The Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce is an exceptional organization that has made enormous contributions to fostering economic development in the City of Dothan and the surrounding Houston County area. Founded in 1919, the organization started as a small office that helped to establish the prices of produce and cotton. The organization has grown over the years and today is compromised of over 950 businesses, professionals, and individuals with the goal of serving as a catalyst for business and community growth in the Dothan area. The Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce has been successful in their mission and has created an environment that is attractive to many diverse businesses and industries. The Wiregrass region's economic growth and stability over 100 years is very impressive and reflects the successes of the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce. Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to acknowledge the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce for their positive impact on the commercial, financial, civic, agricultural, industrial and general interests of the Dothan and Houston County area. We are fortunate to have this organization in Alabama's Second District, and I am looking forward to many more years of continued growth and success.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida for leading this very important conversation here tonight, and I thank all my colleagues from our neighboring States and across this country for keeping this issue in the forefront of the American people's minds. Over the last several months, Americans in many corners of this country have experienced a devastating loss of life, property, and livelihood because of wildfires, flooding, and severe storms. I am here tonight to express my strong support for the many Alabamians, both in the Second District and in neighboring Lee County, who have been badly impacted by severe weather. Last October, areas of the Wiregrass region in Alabama's Second Congressional District were ravaged when Hurricane Michael made landfall. Barbour, Dale, Henry, Geneva, and Houston Counties were the most severely impacted. Throughout the Southeast, people lost their loved ones and their homes, and our farmers were dealt a devastating blow during the middle of harvest. This unprecedented disaster resulted in a tremendous economic setback for our agriculture community and our State. Last month, our neighbors in Lee County faced extreme devastation when tornadoes touched down. Many were killed, and many homes were lost and destroyed. Madam Speaker, we are here tonight because these people need help. Here in Congress, it is our responsibility to make disaster recovery funds available now. I implore my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stop playing political games with disaster funding. By politicizing this humanitarian issue, we are playing politics with people's lives. We must immediately advance commonsense, nonpartisan disaster assistance for the people who have been hit hardest and are struggling to recover. I am hopeful that alongside my colleagues on both sides of the aisle that a solution will be reached soon. Many Alabamians--many Americans--are depending on it. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida for leading this discussion.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Charlotte W. Bent for her years of service to the people of Alabama's Second District and my office. Charlotte grew up in Troy, Alabama, and she spent time during college in Virginia, New York City, and Florence, Italy. She graduated from Troy University in Troy, Alabama, with a degree in Fine Art and Art History. Prior to joining my staff in 2011, Charlotte worked several different positions, including jobs with Eastern Airlines and with her own sister's Sister Shubert's Homemade Rolls. In 2000, Charlotte joined former Congressman Terry Everett's staff as a Constituent Services Representative. Then, Charlotte graciously came back to serve Alabama's Second District and joined my original staff as a caseworker in my Montgomery district office. Charlotte has dedicated much of her professional life to serving the constituents of Alabama's Second District. During her time in my office and in Congressman Everett's office, Charlotte worked to resolve various types of casework problems to better the lives of those in need of assistance. Throughout her time on Team Roby, Charlotte proved to be a dedicated staff member with a strong commitment to team work. I am thankful for Charlotte's time on my staff, and I am grateful to call her a dear friend. Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to join Charlotte's colleagues, family, and friends in honoring her successful career serving Alabama's Second District. I wish her all the best in all her future endeavors. Congratulations, Charlotte.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Jeanie Parnell, an exceptional Alabamian who won the 2018 Southeastern Literary Tourism Initiative writing contest with her short story, ``Tunnel Vision,'' that focuses on the American Civil Rights Movement in my hometown Montgomery, Alabama. Born and raised in Montgomery, Jeanie received her undergraduate degree from Auburn University. Following her graduation from Auburn, Jeanie received post-graduate degrees in English and Teaching Writing from Auburn University Montgomery. Jeanie is a stay-at-home mother of three currently living in Montgomery. She has written several successful novels, including ``Fairhope,'' a second-prize winner of the 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. Her most recent short story, ``Tunnel Vision,'' captures the spirit of social change through the eyes of a 1954 Montgomery woman who is magically transported to modern-day Alabama. Literature like Jeanie's story can encourage tourism and promote economic growth in communities throughout the United States. The Southeastern Literary Tourism Initiative challenges writers to create stories that attract visitors to areas like Alabama's Second District. Jeanie has truly captured the spirit of Montgomery, and I encourage others to visit our beautiful city so that they may see firsthand the rich history of our area. Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to honor Ms. Parnell's literary success and to acknowledge her impact on the Montgomery community. I am proud to call her a lifelong friend and fellow Alabamian.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and I thank the gentlewoman for leading this very, very Special Order tonight. This topic is critically important, especially in light of the heartbreaking news we have already referenced that has come out of New York and Virginia in recent weeks. I want to start by thanking the gentlewoman from Washington for standing up tonight and telling us her story. The gentlewoman does have an amazing story and an amazing family: a loving husband, Dan; and Ethan and Abigail. This is a family, and so we know each other's children. I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, that walking through that journey with the gentlewoman as her friend and colleague has been so special to Riley, to me, and to our children, Margaret and George, who love them just the same. So I thank the gentlewoman so much for standing on the floor tonight and having the courage to tell her amazing story. It just means a lot. So I thank the gentlewoman for that. Of course, I was stunned to hear the boisterous cheering upon the New York State Legislature's passage of a bill that would significantly loosen restrictions on late-term abortions. Meanwhile, in Virginia, the Democratic Governor recently threw his support behind similar legislation and made comments that served as a horrific defense of born-alive abortions. For the purpose of tonight's discussion, we have got to call born- alive abortion what it is, and it is infanticide. Here in Congress, part of our job is to debate the issues. Our dialogue surrounding legislation is a critically important component of the democratic process in this country. Still, no matter how our stances on abortion may vary, I hope we can all agree that, if an abortion fails and a child is born alive, the child must be given the same medical care that any other living, breathing infant would otherwise be given. I want to take this opportunity to reassure the people I represent in Alabama that I remain unapologetically pro-life. I believe that life begins at conception, and I am opposed to abortion at any stage. I am severely disturbed that this country now requires written legal provision to protect living babies. But, sadly, in the aftermath of this news coming out of New York and Virginia, it is clear that this step is immediately necessary. That is why I am proud that the House of Representatives has wasted no time in acting, and I especially appreciate my colleagues, Mr. Scalise and Mrs. Wagner, who have been working tirelessly to force a vote on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, a bill I cosponsored that would protect babies who are born alive during failed abortion procedures. Again, to my colleague, I thank her so much for organizing and having this special hour tonight. This is a critically important issue, and I hope that we will continue to have these discussions not just tonight but in the days moving forward.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 52; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 53; and ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 54.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the hardworking men and women I represent in Elmore County, Alabama, who, this past Saturday, experienced a devastating loss, as a tornado ripped through the city of Wetumpka. By the grace of God, no lives were lost and only minor injuries have been reported at this point. Still, the damage is severe and the road to recovery is long. Madam Speaker, on Monday, I spent time on the ground with those impacted, and I had the opportunity to see firsthand the damage to several churches, the police station, dozens of homes, and businesses. I appreciate the tireless work of the local leaders and first responders who immediately jumped to action to begin putting the pieces back together for the people who have lost so much. During this challenging time, it has been so encouraging to see the community united like a family. They have come together to begin the rebuilding process. Merely hours after the devastating storm, the Elmore County Emergency Management Agency heard from nearly 1,000 individuals who signed up to volunteer their time and resources in the cleanup efforts. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to speak directly to the people impacted by this weekend's tornado: My office stands ready to assist you in whatever ways we are able. My staff and I work for you, and we want to be a resource for you during this very challenging time. The rebuilding process won't be easy, but if we work together and help each other whenever possible, we will get through this together. In the meantime, my family and I will continue to pray for those impacted by this devastating event.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, 45 years ago this month, the Supreme Court of the United States offered its infamous Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion on demand in this country. While many abortion activists celebrate this anniversary as a victory for so-called women's health, it represents a particularly somber occasion for those of us who advocate for life. Since that 1973 ruling, more than 60 million unborn children in this country have had their lives terminated by abortion. To say this is a tragedy is an understatement--60 million. Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that I am unapologetically pro-life. I believe that life begins at conception and that we should work harder to build a culture that values life at every stage. While not everyone shares my convictions about life or on certain policies surrounding rights of unborn children, our pro-life momentum is still strong. This Friday, thousands of Americans will gather just outside of this building at The National Mall to participate in this year's March for Life, an annual event where the pro-life community comes together to advocate for the lives and rights of unborn children. Some of the activists gathered here on Friday will have traveled from Alabama's Second District, as far as 900 miles, to stand up for life. So, Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to send a message to the thousands of pro-life marchers, especially those from southeast Alabama I have the privilege of representing in Congress: Thank you. Thank you for your dedication to this most worthy cause. It is our responsibility to speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves. I am deeply grateful for your commitment to this incredibly important duty, and I, along with my pro-life colleagues here in Congress, stand with you. My promise to you is that I will continue to use this seat in Congress that I have been given to be a vocal advocate for the unborn. I will continue to join you in defending the defenseless. Our momentum is strong, especially during this time each year, but our work is far from being complete. I won't stop fighting until our laws and policies protect life at every stage, and I hope you won't either.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman and my friend as well for holding this Special Order tonight. I agree with the comments my colleagues have made here on the floor this evening. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to underscore the severity of the situation at our southern border. We are in the midst of a real crisis, and we must act now. According to Homeland Security, in the last 2 months, our Border Patrol has apprehended roughly 140,000 illegal immigrants at the southern border. This is an increase of 86 percent over the same period last year. Additionally, there were more than 25,000 families apprehended last November. This is the highest monthly number ever recorded by Border Patrol. Mr. Speaker, here in Congress, my colleagues on both sides of the aisle are talking about this issue as though it is something new. This is not a new issue. For the past decade, the people who I represent in southeast Alabama have consistently expressed to me their frustrations with our country's illegal immigration problem. I believe now is the time that we must use every tool available to enhance border security. And we must do it now. We cannot wait another decade. I really appreciate the gentlewoman taking this time, her leadership on this issue tonight, and her giving me the opportunity to speak.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 474, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 475 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 476.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my former Chief of Staff Mr. Stephen E. Boyd, for his years of service to the State of Alabama and Alabama's Second District. Stephen grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, and graduated from the University of Alabama. Upon completion of his undergraduate degree, Stephen continued his education at the University of Alabama School of Law. Prior to joining my staff in 2011, Stephen served for more than six years on the staff of former United States Senator Jeff Sessions as a senior advisor and Communications Director. Stephen also served as Communications Director for the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. After leaving my office, Stephen served as the Chief of Staff of the Office of Legal Policy at the United States Department of Justice. Stephen currently serves as the Assistant U.S. Attorney General for Legislative Affairs at the United States Department of Justice. There is no one better suited to serve our country in this key role than Stephen Boyd. I know that he will continue to have great success in this role as the head of the Department of Justice's Office of Legislative Affairs. During his time on Team Roby, Stephen proved himself to be a gracious leader time and time again. He possesses a keen intellect, conducts himself with the utmost professionalism and decorum, and demonstrates remarkable work ethic. I am thankful for Stephen's time on my staff, and I am grateful to call him and his wife Brecke, dear friends. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to join Stephen's colleagues, family, and friends in honoring his successful career in Congress. I wish him all the best as he continues to serve our country. Congratulations, Stephen.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my former Chief of Staff, Mrs. Torrie Miller Matous, for her years of service to the American people, State of Alabama, and Alabama's Second Congressional District. Torrie grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, and she earned her B.A. with honors from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Just days after graduation, Torrie moved to Washington, D.C., and began what would become a nearly decade-long career on Capitol Hill. Prior to joining my staff in 2017, Torrie served for more than five years on the staff of United States Representative Pete Sessions as a Communications Director and later the House Committee on Rules. Torrie then went on to serve as the Communications Director for United States Senator Richard Shelby and several of his committees including the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, and the Committee on Rules and Administration. Torrie now serves as the Director of the Office of External Affairs for the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Torrie's extensive background on the Hill makes her more than qualified for this new position, and I am confident her experience will serve her well. I know that she will help lead this organization forward, and I have no doubt that she will continue to have a successful career for years to come. During her time on Team Roby, Torrie led with a sense of grace and confidence. Her attention to detail, ability to connect with constituents and elected officials alike, and outstanding work ethic will be missed in our office. I am thankful for Torrie's time on my staff, and I will always consider her and her husband Kyle true friends. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to join Torrie's colleagues, family, and friends in honoring her successful career in Congress and her dedicated service to the American people and Alabamians. I wish her all the best. Congratulations, Torrie.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his generosity in yielding a few minutes for this very important moment. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute as well to a true public servant, Rex Buffington. Rex has dedicated so much of his professional life to supporting leaders in this country, most recently, as you have already heard, as the executive director of the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership, where he has served admirably since the Stennis Center's establishment in 1988. After many years of encouraging new leaders and supporting existing ones, Rex is retiring. His tireless efforts will be greatly missed, but I know I speak for many who know him in saying we are proud of him and we are confident that his next chapter brings more wonderful milestones. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rex. His work for the Stennis Center has positively impacted American leaders from all generations and walks of life, from high school students to the Members of Congress who walk these halls today. I know this firsthand because I am one of those Members that he has impacted. I wish Rex, John Gavin, and Catherine great success in the road ahead. He will be missed, but his impact will be felt for many years to come.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, just over a month ago, Hurricane Michael, the third most powerful hurricane to ever make landfall on the United States mainland, ravaged areas of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Hundreds of Americans lost everything, and more than 30 people were killed. Hurricane Michael appears to have done its worst in Panama City, Florida, and nearby areas, but Alabama's Second District was also badly impacted in several counties in the Wiregrass Region. In fact, Hurricane Michael is the most powerful storm to ever hit Houston County, according to recorded history. In my district, the agricultural community faces the most significant devastation. While the full scale of the damage to local agriculture is still being assessed, Hurricane Michael dealt a terrible blow to our cotton, timber, and peanut farmers. In the aftermath of the storm, I traveled to the Wiregrass several times to be with our farmers and to see firsthand what they were experiencing. The devastation is heartbreaking, to say the least. The farmers in southeast Alabama are in the midst of a very real crisis. In Alabama's Second District, agriculture is the backbone of our economy. Throughout my time in Congress, I have made it a priority to fight for our farmers of all commodities. Their work to provide the food and fiber we depend on is vitally important. I will continue to advocate for them, especially during this time of uncertainty, as we work to put the pieces back together for these hardworking men and women who have suffered tremendous loss to their livelihoods. Mr. Speaker, I want the people I represent to know that my office stands ready to help during this challenging time. I will work with my colleagues here in Congress to provide the proper resources and assistance to our farmers. We must get this right, and we must ensure Alabama's farmers are included in all recovery efforts. I encourage anyone in Alabama's Second District who needs assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael to contact one of my offices today. My staff and I work for you, and we are committed to ensuring that the folks impacted know the options available to them. As we work through this season of rebuilding, I have been encouraged to see and hear about so many acts of kindness and charity in our district and throughout the Southeast. This time of recovery will not be easy, but if we continue to help each other in whatever ways we are able, we will get through this together.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6847) to amend title 18, United States Code, to expand and strengthen Federal sex offenses, to reauthorize certain programs established by the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mrs. ROBY. 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 materials on H.R. 6847, currently under consideration.

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased we are voting today on the Preventing Child Exploitation Act, which rolls together four bills the House considered and passed last year but the Senate failed to take up and pass. Each of them will make important changes to Federal law to protect children. I would like to thank my colleagues--Mr. Ratcliffe, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Sensenbrenner--for their excellent work in crafting and introducing these bills with me and their critical efforts to move them through the House earlier this Congress. The first part of H.R. 6847 is the bill I introduced, the ``Roby bill.'' It closes a significant loophole in pursuing offenders who engage in sex tourism and prey on children abroad. Specifically, the bill ensures that the definition of ``illicit sexual conduct'' includes all potential situations where an adult defendant may abuse a child under these circumstances. No longer will they be able to go and prey on foreign children without facing the possibility of significant punishment at home. They will also not be able to escape enhanced sentences for doing so. The bill also closes loopholes that permit those who sexually degrade, humiliate, and abuse children under 12 to avoid sentencing enhancements for repeat offenses. Congress always intended for children to have the greatest protections, and we must ensure that our laws reflect that intent. The next part of H.R. 6847, the ``Ratcliffe bill,'' closes yet another loophole regarding offenders who commit violent crimes while they are in noncompliant status as sex offenders. Currently, this enhancement applies only to those who committed crimes of violence under Federal, Tribal, D.C., or military law, and the law of any territory or possession of the United States. This bill adds State crimes of violence as predicate convictions, thus ensuring all sex offenders who have been convicted of crimes of violence face heightened punishment where they fail to register. Presently, certain recidivist provisions are not consistent with respect to conduct covered when someone has a prior sex conviction under Federal and State law, as opposed to military law. For instance, under current law, an offender with certain prior military child pornography convictions would not qualify for a sentencing enhancement that someone convicted under a Federal statute would, even if their conduct was the same. This bill fixes this and makes sure that those recidivist enhancements are applied consistently. The third part of H.R. 6847, the ``Johnson bill,'' fixes a judicially created loophole in the Federal production of child pornography statute. In United States versus Palomino-Coronado, the Fourth Circuit reversed a conviction for production of child pornography for insufficient evidence, allowing a defendant to walk free from production of child pornography charges despite photographic evidence he created that he had engaged in sexual abuse of a 7-year-old child. In doing so, the court suggested that a defendant must initiate sexually illicit conduct with the specific intent to create child pornography. This decision has extremely undesirable consequences in the prosecution of the production of child pornography. It has created a new defense whereby a defendant can merely deny a preformed, specific intent to record a sexual offense of a minor and escape Federal conviction. That is an outrageous result, and Congress' intervention is required to fix the statute. The creation of child pornography must be adequately deterred, and this fix ensures that it will be. Finally, H.R. 6847 includes the Adam Walsh Reauthorization Act, introduced by Crime Subcommittee Chairman Sensenbrenner, the author of the original Walsh Act. The bill reauthorizes the Sex Offender Management Assistance Program and provides funding for the United States Marshals Service, which is tasked with identifying and apprehending unregistered sex offenders. It also adds new provisions that aim to improve the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act and make it easier for States to comply. Thus far, 17 States, 108 Tribes, and 3 territories are in substantial compliance with the law. The intent of this bill is to ensure many more jurisdictions come into compliance. Over the past several years, DOJ has worked closely with the States to achieve this goal by promulgating flexible guidelines via the continued hard work of the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking, or the SMART Office. This bill takes several concrete steps to encourage compliance. For example, it addresses concerns many have addressed about juvenile offenders. It is important to keep in mind that only juveniles who have committed the most serious sex offenses are subject to registration under SORNA. Nevertheless, this bill lessens the amount of time a juvenile who commits certain offenses and keeps a clean record must be on the registry. If these youths keep a clean record for 15 years, they may petition to leave the registry. Additionally, the bill codifies 2016 DOJ guidelines which permit the SMART Office to deem a State in substantial compliance with the act even if it maintains a discretionary juvenile registry. Further, the bill alleviates the cost of implementation by explicitly permitting alternative means for in-person check-ins for registrants and lessening the number of required check-ins. This is a reasonable amendment that will help States with significant rural populations achieve compliance. I want to thank all my colleagues. I am glad to have had the opportunity to introduce the comprehensive child protection bill, which, as I have already noted, will strengthen Federal law to protect children. I also want to, again, thank Mr. Ratcliffe, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Sensenbrenner for their work. There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children. I implore my colleagues to take that to heart and support this vital, well-crafted, commonsense legislation. I urge every person in this room to consider this bill, not just as a Member of Congress, but as a parent, a grandparent, an aunt, an uncle, or a friend. Please join me today in supporting this bill and protecting our children. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time