Blog: Weekly Update from Senator Tim Scott 4/27/15

Statement

Dear Friends,

Thank you for reading my weekly update, and please remember to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! 



Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act

On Wednesday, my colleagues and I unanimously voted on passage of S.178, Justice for Victims of Trafficking bill. The bill holds traffickers accountable and further criminalizes those who are responsible for abusing helpless and vulnerable children. It is necessary for us to help those who are voiceless and suffering from these horrible crimes.

I am glad the United States Senate passed this very important bill so we can bring justice to thousands of victims across our nation. I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation.

Loretta Lynch Confirmation

After the passage of the human trafficking bill, we were able to vote on the confirmation of U.S. Attorney General Nominee, Loretta Lynch, on Thursday.

Ms. Lynch has demonstrated tremendous intellect, a willingness to be a strong federal prosecutor and a proven record of commitment to public service, but her confirmation to be our nation's top law enforcement officer does not exist in a vacuum. Her views on the important issues facing our nation, like immigration, the Affordable Care Act, and how to best protect our homeland, mattered greatly and weighed heavily on my decision.

At the end of the day, Ms. Lynch demonstrated that she will not be the independent voice that our country needs at the Department of Justice, and therefore I cannot support her confirmation to become the next Attorney General.

My Letter to Sen. Graham & Sen. Grassley Requesting a Hearing on Body Cameras

On Wednesday, I also wrote a letter to Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Crime and Terrorism Subcommittee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC), requesting a hearing on the use of body-worn camera by law enforcement officers.

I believe that the deployment of body-worn cameras will provide increased protections for both law enforcement officers and those they serve. I understand that there are multiple and complex questions surrounding the use of body cameras, including privacy concerns, data retention and disclosure issues, and the effects of recording on community relationships. It is essential that we explore these and other concerns as we foster a national discussion on body-worn cameras at a public hearing in Congress.

Thanks again for reading!

Sincerely,

Tim

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