Ryan Votes for "Two Strikes, You're Out" Child Protection Act

WASHINGTON – First District Congressman Paul Ryan today voted for legislation that would protect children from sexual predators by imposing a life prison sentence on individuals convicted twice for sex crimes against children. Specifically, the bill states that a person who is convicted of a federal sex offense (sex offense occurring on federal property) in which a minor is the victim shall be sentenced to life imprisonment if the person has a prior sex conviction in which a minor was the victim, unless the sentence of death is imposed. The measure passed today in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 382-34.

A Wisconsin delegation colleague of Ryan's – Rep. Mark Green (R. – Green Bay) authored and introduced this legislation. It is a federal version of Wisconsin's "Two Strikes" law, which Green authored as a member of the Wisconsin Assembly in 1997.

"This bill will do at the federal level what's already being done in Wisconsin – crack down on repeat child molesters so they cannot claim any more victims," Ryan said. "I was glad to have this chance to vote for my Wisconsin colleague's proposal to get repeat child sex criminals off the street and protect children from the mental and physical trauma of abuse."

Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno estimated recidivism rates of child molesters at 75%, and studies confirm that a single molester can abuse hundreds of children.