Press Releases
Hawley Rips Biden Admin over DHS Plans to Rescind Title 42, Allocate Veteran Resources to Illegal Immigrants
Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a new letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, expressing deep concern with the administration’s decision to rescind the Title 42 order amid an ongoing humanitarian crisis – with numbers surging – at the southern border. Senator Hawley also inquired about disturbing new reports that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has plans to divert resources from veterans to provide free services for illegal immigrants. “Rather than enforce our immigration laws, the Biden Administration has repeatedly changed existing policy to encourage, facilitate, and obscure illegal immigration. President Biden halted construction of the border wall, reinforced DACA, and limited ICE enforcement actions....
Democrats Block Hawley Bill to Get Tough on Child Sex Offenders
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) went to the Senate Floor today to call for unanimous consent to pass his PROTECT Act of 2022, which protects children from sexual exploitation by enhancing the penalties for possessing child pornography and preventing judges from sentencing offenders below federal guidelines. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) objected and blocked the bill from passing. Senator Hawley said, “Child sex trafficking is an exploding epidemic in my state, and around our country. Children are exploited, children are trafficked and those who work in this area, those who prosecute in this area, law enforcement who work day in and day out will tell you that the explosion of child pornography is helping to drive this exploding epidemic of child exploitation and child sex...
Senator Hawley Calls Out Liberal Lies, Opposes Judge Jackson’s Nomination
Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) delivered his closing statement in the Senate Judiciary Markup for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court nomination. In his closing statement, Senator Hawley reinforced his stance against Judge Jackson’s record for lenient sentencing for pedophiles, and continued to express his opposition to her nomination. Judge Jackson refused to respond when asked about her sentencing record in various child pornography cases during her confirmation hearings. Senator Hawley said, “We’ve heard in Judge Jackson’s defense, and I don’t know if it’s really much of a defense – I know she didn’t say these things – but in her defense, by the White House and members of this committee, we’ve been told things like ‘child pornography is actually all a...
Hawley Leads Bill to Protect Children, Toughen Sentences for Child Porn Offenders
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced the PROTECT Act of 2022, which protects children from sexual exploitation by enhancing the penalties for possessing child pornography and by preventing judges from sentencing offenders below federal guidelines. The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Mike Lee (R-Utah), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). Representative Ken Buck (CO-4) is introducing companion legislation in the House of Representatives. The epidemic of child pornography in the United States is growing exponentially. Just over a decade ago, the number of images of child sexual abuse material online was less than 1 million. That number grew to 45 million in 2018, and to 85 million in 2021. By federal statute, judges are required to sentence criminals within...
Hawley to Introduce Bill to Toughen Sentences for Child Porn Offenders
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced today that he will introduce new legislation to toughen the sentences for child pornography offenders. Senator Hawley said, "This week I will introduce new legislation to get tough on child porn offenders. Dems, the White House & Judge Jackson spent last week saying sentences for child porn offenders are too harsh. They're wrong. Child porn & exploitation is exploding. It's time to protect our children". Last week, Senator Hawley questioned Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on her alarming record of lenient sentences for child porn offenders and imposing sentences well below federal guidelines and below what prosecutors requested.
WaPo: Child Porn Offender KBJ Sentenced To Just 3 Months Continued Searching Pictures of Children
At this week's Supreme Court hearings, U.S. Senator Hawley (R-Mo.) questioned Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson about her statements in U.S. v. Hawkins where she sentenced a child porn offender to just three months instead of the recommended eight to 10 years. After his release, he continued seeking out "sexually arousing" images of young children. The Washington Post reports: A person familiar with the Hawkins case read to The Post the probation office request that led to Jackson’s order. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity, because they were not authorized to publicly discuss it. The probation office petition did not allege that Hawkins committed any new sexual offense or violation of conditions. However, it stated that “despite being in treatment for more than...
Senator Hawley Questions Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson Over Troubling Record of Lenient Sentencing for Pedophiles
During the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination for U.S. Supreme Court today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) focused his questioning on the alarming trend of lenient sentencing in child pornography cases that he first mentioned in a tweet thread last week and his opening comments yesterday. During his time, Sen. Hawley focused on Judge Jackson’s sentencing decision and comments during one of the seven child pornography cases he was concerned about, United States v. Hawkins, in which Judge Jackson sentenced the offender, age 18, to a significantly lower sentence than what the federal sentencing guidelines and prosecutor had recommended: just three months in prison.
When Pressed by Sen. Hawley on Her Lenient Record, Judge Jackson Can’t Respond
Building on his questioning during yesterday’s Supreme Court hearing, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) questioned Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson today on her sentencing record in various child pornography cases. When asked again about United States v. Hawkins, Judge Jackson would not say if she regretted her decision to sentence the defendant to just three months in prison, then refused to engage on several of Senator Hawley’s questions about the thought process behind her decision not to give more severe sentences for criminals based on the amount of child pornography in their possession. From their conversation: Senator Hawley said, “I’m asking you if you regret the sentence in this case, and it sounds like the answer is no. I regret it. Let me read what you said...
Senator Hawley Delivers Opening Statement for Judge Jackson’s Supreme Court Nomination Hearing
Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) gave his opening statement in the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing regarding Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court nomination. During his remarks, he outlined seven cases where Judge Jackson sentenced convicted child pornography offenders below sentencing guidelines and below what the government requested. Senator Hawley said, “What concerns me is that in every case, in each of these seven, Judge Jackson handed down a lenient sentence that was below what the federal guidelines recommended and below what the prosecutors requested.” Last week, Senator Hawley released a Twitter thread noting Judge Jackson’s alarming sentencing leniency for sex criminals, especially those preying on children.
Hawley Refutes ‘Fact Check’ on Judge Jackson’s Record of Lenient Sentencing for Pedophiles
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) released the following statement in response to a "fact check" from the Washington Post on his Twitter thread exposing Judge Jackson's leniency on child porn offenders: "Judge Jackson has yet to address her alarming record on child porn offenders. But rather than ask her questions, the Washington Post is regurgitating White House talking points. Their 'fact check' questions & my answers below. Now go ask the person nominated for the Supreme Court." WASHINGTON POST QUESTION 1: Hawley: No. Judge Jackson’s words are right there in print, and they speak for themselves. When she does quote from or refer to previous testimony, she does so with approval and indicates the witness has changed her mind on child porn offenders....