February 8, 2017
The Dodd-Frank 1502 Law is a protection that has made significant progress in the transparency of sourcing of raw materials, extending to their use by publicly-traded companies operating in the United States. The role of conflict minerals in the financing of armed groups and the resultant loss of human life in the millions, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is well documented. Any consideration for the conducting of business must be subservient to the protection of human life anywhere, especially the most vulnerable, who have suffered far too long. For this reason, I support the retention of Dodd-Frank 1502 and this important protection for the inhabitants of the DRC and elsewhere.