Judiciary Committee Unanimously Advances Bipartisan Bill to Combat Online Child Sex Abuse Material

WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee today unanimously voted to advance the bipartisan STOP CSAM Act to crack down on child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online. 

“The STOP CSAM Act takes direct aim at the terrible spread of online child sexual abuse material – and gives law enforcement and victims stronger tools to fight back. I was glad to move it out of the Judiciary Committee and anticipate the committee will have future opportunities to mark up additional legislation in this space,” Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said.

The Grassley-backed bill, led by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), would promote greater transparency in the tech industry and empower victims to seek justice against culpable platforms. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) cosponsor the legislation. Read the full bill text HERE.

The Judiciary Committee additionally voted to advance the following nominations:

• Stanley Woodward, Jr., to be Associate Attorney General, by a vote of 12-10; 

• Elliot Gaiser, to be an Assistant Attorney General, by a vote of 12-10; 

• Joseph Edlow, to be Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, by a vote of 12-10; 

• John Squires, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, by a vote of 20-2; and 

• Ronald A. Parsons, Jr., to be U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota, by voice vote.

A recording of the executive business meeting can be found HERE.

Read Grassley’s opening statement HERE.

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