United States Public Laws of the 116th Congress, 2nd Session (2020)
HR 6100, PL 116-309
An Act To amend title 18, United States Code, to clarify the criminalization of female genital mutilation, and for other purposesBe it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
This Act may be cited as the ``Strengthening the Opposition to Female Genital Mutilation Act of 2020'' or the ``STOP FGM Act of 2020''.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) Female genital mutilation is recognized internationally as a human rights violation and a form of child abuse, gender discrimination, and violence against women and girls. Female genital mutilation is a global problem whose eradication requires international cooperation and enforcement at the national level. The United States should demonstrate its commitment to the rights of women and girls by leading the way in the international community in banning this abhorrent practice.
(2) Congress has previously prohibited the commission of female genital mutilation on minors. Female genital mutilation is a heinous practice that often inflicts excruciating pain on its victims and causes them to suffer grave physical and psychological harm.
(3) Congress has the power under article I, section 8 of the Constitution to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution treaties entered into by the United States.
(4) Congress also has the power under the Commerce Clause to prohibit female genital mutilation. An international market for the practice exists, and persons who perform female genital mutilation in other countries typically earn a living from doing so.
(5) Those who perform this conduct often rely on a connection to interstate or...
