Laurel M. Lee

Rep. Laurel Lee Introduces Federal Diversity Jurisdiction Modernization Act to Reduce Court Backlogs and Improve Access to Justice

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Laurel Lee (FL-15) today introduced the Federal Diversity Jurisdiction Modernization Act, legislation to modernize federal court jurisdiction by raising the amount-in-controversy threshold for diversity cases from $75,000 to $500,000. This reform is designed to alleviate growing caseload pressures in federal courts, ensure the timely resolution of cases, and restore the proper balance between federal and state judicial responsibilities. “Across the country—and especially in Florida—we are seeing federal courts stretched beyond capacity, with litigants waiting years to have their cases resolved,” said Rep. Lee. “The Federal Diversity Jurisdiction Modernization Act is a practical, commonsense step to reduce unnecessary burdens on federal courts, return appropriate cases to state and local jurisdictions, and ensure Americans can access justice without costly and prolonged delays.” Under current law, federal courts may hear cases between parties from different states if the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000—a threshold last updated by Congress in 1996. The Federal Diversity Jurisdiction Modernization Act raises that threshold to $500,000, reflecting decades of inflation and the evolving demands on the federal judiciary. Federal court filings have increased by approximately 30 percent since 1990, while the number of authorized district court judgeships has grown by only 4 percent. As a result, backlogs have surged, with civil cases pending for more than three years increasing by 346 percent—from 18,280 cases in 2004 to 81,617 in 2024. By raising the threshold, the legislation is projected to reduce the federal diversity caseload by roughly one-third, allowing federal judges to focus on the most complex and significant disputes while enabling state courts to adjudicate matters more appropriately within their purview. The need for reform is particularly acute in Florida. The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida—one of the busiest federal courts in the nation—has repeatedly requested between five and seven additional Article III judgeships to manage its caseload. According to the Judicial Conference’s March 2025 recommendations, the Middle District of Florida ranks second in the nation for urgent judicial need, behind only the Central District of California. Rather than relying solely on expanding the number of judgeships, we should also address the structural drivers of congestion. Raising the amount-in-controversy threshold is a targeted solution that will benefit litigants, reduce costs, and improve efficiency across the system.” The Federal Diversity Jurisdiction Modernization Act preserves federal courts’ role in adjudicating major interstate disputes while limiting federal overreach into lower-value cases that are more appropriately handled at the state level.

President Donald Trump Signs Rep. Laurel Lee’s HEAR Act Into Law

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act of 2025, led by Rep. Laurel Lee, was signed into law by President Donald Trump. Rep. Lee worked alongside bipartisan colleagues in both the House and Senate to advance this legislation. The enactment of the HEAR Act marks a meaningful step toward ensuring that Holocaust survivors and their families have a fair opportunity to recover artwork and cultural property stolen during one of history’s darkest chapters. The law helps ensure that these claims are decided on their merits and reflects the United States’ enduring commitment to justice for victims of Nazi persecution. During the Holocaust, the Nazi regime murdered millions of Jews and devastated entire families, communities, and livelihoods. Alongside these atrocities, the regime carried out the widespread and systematic theft of cultural property. Hundreds of thousands of works of art—including paintings, sculptures, and treasured collections—were confiscated across Europe, often through coercion, forced sales, or discriminatory laws. Many of these items were retained, traded, or sold by Nazi authorities, depriving families of both financial assets and deeply personal pieces of their heritage. The HEAR Act of 2025 builds on prior efforts by ensuring that claims to recover stolen art are evaluated on their merits rather than dismissed on technical legal grounds, providing a clearer path for victims and their families to seek justice. “I am grateful to President Trump for signing my legislation into law, reaffirming our nation’s commitment to ensuring Holocaust survivors and their families have the opportunity to recover what is rightfully theirs,” said Rep. Laurel Lee. “This law advances justice and affirms a simple principle: these cases should be decided based on truth, not technicalities, and we will continue to stand with those seeking to reclaim what was taken from them.”

Rep. Laurel Lee Introduces Constitutional Amendment to Ensure Only U.S. Citizens Vote in Federal Elections

Position: Rep. Lee and cosponsors introduced a constitutional amendment requiring that only U.S. citizens be eligible to vote in federal elections for President, Vice President, and Congress, arguing this codifies a longstanding principle and closes a constitutional gap.

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Laurel Lee introduced a constitutional amendment to establish a clear and permanent requirement that only United States citizens may vote in federal elections. Congresswoman Lee is joined by Representative Lance Gooden (TX-05), Mike Haridopolis (FL-08), Julia Letlow (LA-05), Wesley Hunt (TX-38), and Russell Fry (SC-07). The joint resolution would codify in the Constitution that only U.S. citizens are eligible to vote in elections for President and Vice President, and Members of Congress—closing a longstanding constitutional gap and ensuring a uniform national standard. “For generations, Americans have shared a clear and common understanding: voting in federal elections is a right reserved for United States citizens,” said Rep. Lee. “While current federal law reflects that consensus, the Constitution itself does not explicitly require citizenship for voting in federal elections. This amendment provides the clarity and permanence needed to ensure that this fundamental principle is protected.” “It's simple: only Americans should vote in American elections,” said Chairman Jordan. “Congresswoman Lee's amendment is a common sense proposal that creates a uniform, nationwide standard that will protect federal elections permanently.” “The vast majority of Americans overwhelmingly support proof of citizenship to vote,” said Rep. Fry. “Shamefully, far-left Democrats have shown time and time again that they want illegal immigrants to control our elections. Our constitutional amendment is a commonsense measure that protects the integrity of our elections and affirms the obvious truth—only American citizens should vote in American elections, period.” “Only Americans should vote in American elections,” said Rep. Letlow. “By enacting a constitutional amendment banning non-citizens from voting, we can secure our elections and give the American people confidence at the ballot box.” “Free and fair elections are the foundation of our democracy, and that begins with a simple principle: only American citizens should decide American elections. Only the Constitution can guarantee that protection long-term,” said Rep. Haridopolos. “I am proud to support Congresswoman Laurel Lee’s effort to safeguard the integrity of our elections and ensure that the voices of American citizens are protected for generations to come.” “We cannot allow the security of our elections to change with political control in Washington,” said Rep. Lance Gooden. “A citizen-only constitutional amendment permanently ensures that only Americans decide the future of America.” “I am proud to join Congresswoman Lee in this important effort to secure our elections and ensure that only U.S. citizens are voting in them,” said Rep. Hunt. “As a combat veteran who fought to uphold and defend our Constitution and our Republic, I understand the price that has been paid so that we may live in a free nation. Our nation remains free only when our elections are secure and when our citizens have full faith and confidence in their integrity.” Under current law, federal statute (18 U.S.C. § 611) prohibits non-citizens from voting in federal elections. However, federal law alone is not permanent—it can be repealed, weakened, or challenged, and the Constitution leaves voter qualifications primarily to the states. As a result, the current framework does not guarantee a lasting nationwide standard. “Relying on statute alone leaves this principle subject to future changes that could undermine this long-standing principle,” Lee continued. “This amendment ensures that no matter what happens in Washington or at the state level, federal elections will remain reserved for United States citizens.” The amendment does not alter state authority over state or local elections, nor does it change existing constitutional protections related to voting rights, including those based on race, sex, or age. Instead, it focuses narrowly on federal elections, reinforcing the longstanding expectation that participation in choosing national leaders is reserved for U.S. citizens. Copy of the bill text here.

Rep. Lee’s Bill the HEAR Act Heads to the President’s Desk

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Laurel Lee’s bill, the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act of 2025, passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The bipartisan legislation removes the upcoming expiration date from the original HEAR Act of 2016, ensuring that Holocaust survivors and their families can continue pursuing claims to recover artwork and cultural property stolen by the Nazi regime. The bipartisan bill, which has already passed the Senate, now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “The Holocaust was one of the darkest chapters in human history, marked not only by the murder of millions of Jews but also by the systematic theft of their homes, livelihoods, and cultural heritage,” said Rep. Laurel Lee. “For many families, the fight to recover artwork stolen during the Holocaust has continued for generations. The HEAR Act of 2025 ensures these claims are evaluated on their merits—not dismissed because of technical legal barriers. This legislation reaffirms our nation’s commitment to justice, accountability, and historical truth.” “The thousands of missing pieces of art looted from Jewish families by Hitler’s regime during the Holocaust are a painful reminder of a time when cruelty and hatred reigned,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation renews our commitment to Holocaust survivors and their families by ensuring cases are heard on their merit, offering a path to restitution and assurance that such injustices are never forgotten.” “Holocaust survivors and their families deserve the opportunity to pursue claims for what was wrongfully taken from them,” said Congressman Scott Fitzgerald. “With the House passage of this bill, we are ensuring their cases can continue to be heard in U.S. courts without being blocked by procedural loopholes. As it heads to President Trump’s desk, this legislation helps make sure those still seeking to recover artwork stolen during one of history’s darkest chapters can continue pursuing justice.” “More than 100,000 works of art that were looted by the Nazis from Jewish families during the Holocaust remain unrecovered. We must confront this unacceptable and repugnant reality, which continues to allow entities and individuals to profit off the Jewish people’s pain,” said Rep. Jerrold Nadler (NY-12). “I was proud to lead efforts to pass the original HEAR Act in 2016 that fought back and began to bring justice to victim’s families, and I am honored to continue the fight as the lead House Democratic sponsor of the updated legislation that passed the House unanimously today," said Rep. Nadler. "Today the House of Representatives affirmed that in the United States, every victim and family member with a credible claim deserves to have their day in court, with their case heard on the merits alone. Justice must no longer be denied due to procedural technicalities and legislative sunset provisions. While we cannot reverse the horrors of the Holocaust, but we can ensure that in an American courtroom, the truth of a family’s legacy carries more weight than a legal loophole.” “The passage of The HEAR Act of 2025 is a landmark moment for Holocaust survivors and their families. Congress has made clear that these cases should be decided on their merits, not dismissed on procedural technicalities. For too long, museums and foreign governments have relied on delay and legal defenses to hold onto works taken during the Holocaust and the persecution of Jewish families by the Nazi regime.” said Joel Greenberg, President of Art Ashes. “This legislation restores Congress’s promise that these claims will finally be judged on the facts. Art Ashes is proud to have spearheaded this effort, and is deeply grateful to Representatives Lee and Nadler for their leadership, and to the members of Congress who stood on the side of justice." "I strongly commend House and Senate leaders, as well as the sponsors of the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act Improvements of 2025 for passing this important bill through Congress today. When I led an effort to pass the original HEAR Act in 2016, I never envisioned that we would need an extension 10 years later. But it is clear that the countless artwork that was stolen from Jews during World War II by the Nazis remain wrongfully owned and hidden.” said Ronald Lauder, President of World Jewish Congress. “By eliminating the statute of limitations and other efforts to delay claimants from having their day in court, we move that much closer to reuniting stolen artwork to the rightful heirs. To the museums and collectors here in the United States that have been waiting out the clock, time is up. Time is up to close this ugly chapter, which has sullied the art world, and allow justice to be served on the merits. We cannot go back and change what happened. All we can do is stop the continuation of this crime. After more than 80 years, it is time to put these ghosts to rest." “Extending and improving the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act—landmark 2016 legislation that empowers family members trying to recover artwork stolen from Jews by the Nazi regime during the Second World War—is a critical fulfillment of our leaders’ obligation to preserve historic memory and pursue justice for Holocaust victims.” said Matt Brooks, Chief Executive Officer of the Republican Jewish Coalition. “We are grateful to Senator John Cornyn and Representative Laurel Lee for leading the HEAR Act in Congress, and to Chairman Grassley, Chairman Jordan, Senate Majority Leader Thune, Speaker Johnson, and Majority Leader Scalise for ensuring its passage. We look forward to President Trump – the greatest friend to American Jews to serve in the White House – quickly signing the HEAR Act into law.” “After World War II, the Monuments Men and Women located and returned almost four million works of art and cultural objects looted by the Nazis. Much remains missing,” said Robert Edsel, Chairman of the Monuments Men and Women Foundation and author of the #1 NYT bestseller, The Monuments Men, which became a major film by producer-actor-director George Clooney.” said Robert M. Edsel, Founder & Chairman of the Monuments Men and Women Foundation. “Today’s passage of the HEAR Act provides Holocaust survivors and their heirs a fair chance to recover works of art and cultural objects looted by the Nazis without having to defeat legal loopholes or paperwork deadlines. Congress should take a victory lap for getting this one right.” “We welcome this huge step in ensuring that museums and private individuals in the United States are held accountable for looted art in their collections. Technical barriers to claims against American possessors can have the effect of codifying a crime, permanently shielding looters and denying families the last tangible links to the lives that were stolen from them” said Mark Weitzman, Chief Operating Officer, World Jewish Restitution Organization. “We now urge American museums to greatly expand provenance research of their collections in order to ensure transparency and so that family members can find artwork which was looted from their families.” Watch Rep. Lee’s Floor Remarks here.

Rep. Laurel Lee Introduces Safe Cloud Storage Act to Help Law Enforcement Combat Child Exploitation

Position: Rep. Lee supports legislation extending limited liability protections to vetted third-party cloud storage vendors assisting law enforcement in securely storing and processing digital evidence related to child sexual exploitation investigations.

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Laurel Lee (R–FL) introduced the Safe Cloud Storage Act, legislation designed to help law enforcement agencies modernize how they securely store and process digital evidence related to child sexual exploitation investigations. Rep. Lee is joined by Representatives Steve Cohen (D–TN), Madeleine Dean (D–PA), and Brad Knott (R–NC) as House co-leads on the legislation. A companion bill is being led in the Senate by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R–TN) and Amy Klobuchar (D–MN). As the volume of digital evidence containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) continues to grow, law enforcement agencies across the country are facing increasing challenges in storing, transferring, and analyzing this highly sensitive evidence. Many investigators are still forced to rely on outdated physical storage tools—such as thumb drives, external hard drives, and on-premise servers—which are costly, limited in capacity, and significantly slow down investigations. The Safe Cloud Storage Act builds on the framework established by the REPORT Act, which provided limited liability protections for vendors contracted by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) to store and transfer CSAM for investigative purposes. Rep. Lee’s legislation extends similar protections to other vetted, law enforcement–approved third-party vendors who assist investigators in securely handling digital evidence. “Identifying victims and bringing predators to justice requires modern investigative tools,”said Representative Lee. “The Safe Cloud Storage Act updates how law enforcement securely handles digital evidence, allowing investigators to partner with trusted technology providers while maintaining strong safeguards and accountability.” “Those helping law enforcement in the fight against child sexual exploitation must be able to securely store evidence of these horrific crimes,” said Senator Blackburn. “Our bipartisan Safe Cloud Storage Act would ensure investigators can securely handle and store CSAM evidence in the cloud by providing limited liability protections. With this critical bill, we will continue our work to bring predators to justice and protect vulnerable children.” “We must do everything we can to protect our children from online exploitation and abuse,” said Senator Klobuchar. “Our commonsense, bipartisan bill would improve investigations and prosecutions by allowing law enforcement to safely store and transmit evidence using cloud systems – saving time and resources.” “I’m proud to work with Representative Lee on this important legislation that will modernize evidence handling for some of the most horrific and sensitive cases,” said Representative Knott. “It will enable more efficient convictions of heinous offenders, bring justice for victims, and apply strict standards for the handling and protection of sensitive evidence.” “The volume of evidence in child sexual abuse cases requires the kinds of third-party liability protections the Safe Cloud Act would provide,” said Representative Cohen. “I am pleased to join with Congresswoman Laurel Lee, a recognized expert in this area of the law, as a co-lead of this important and protective legislation.” “We must do everything in our power to protect children from abuse and prosecute those who commit such despicable crimes — that include modernizing how law enforcement stores sensitive information so they can better purse justice,” Representative Dean said. “Many police departments still rely on older technology like thumb drives to store materials for child sexual abuse material (CSAM) investigations. Our bipartisan bill is a commonsense measure to enable law enforcement to securely use cloud-based storage, making arrests for online child exploitation more efficient. I’m grateful to my colleagues in the House and Senate for working on this important legislation.” By enabling secure cloud-based storage and analysis of digital evidence, the legislation will help investigators process evidence more efficiently, reduce investigative delays, and strengthen the ability of law enforcement to identify victims and prosecute offenders. The bill includes strict guardrails to ensure accountability and data security. Liability protections do not apply in cases of intentional misconduct, gross negligence, or malicious acts. In addition, vendors covered by the legislation must comply with rigorous cybersecurity standards consistent with guidelines from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The Safe Cloud Storage Act is supported by a broad coalition of law enforcement and child protection organizations, including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), Raven, Thorn, the International Justice Mission, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Child Rescue Coalition, the National District Attorneys Association, the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies,, and the National Center on Sexual Exploitation. “At Child Rescue Coalition, our innovative technology empowers law enforcement to identify and arrest child predators faster and more effectively. The SCSA strengthens and modernizes how law enforcement can securely store, share, and interact with CSAM, accelerating the identification of offenders and the rescue of victims,”Greg Schiller, CEO, Child Rescue Coalition. “This bill reinforces trust, accountability, and innovation, ensuring critical safeguards evolve alongside the technology law enforcement relies on every day to protect children.” “The National Fraternal Order of Police strongly supports the Safe Cloud Storage Act. This important piece of legislation safeguards law enforcement investigations, protects officers and witnesses, and maintains public trust,” said National President Patrick Yoes. “The FOP is grateful to the leadership of Representatives Lee and Cohen, who understand the importance of enhanced protections amidst evolving advancements in modern policing and technology. “The Safe Cloud Storage Act is a critical step forward in modernizing how law enforcement investigates child sexual exploitation,” said Jennifer Dunton, Director of Legislative Affairs at Raven. “By authorizing secure, cloud-based storage for CSAM evidence, this bill ensures that investigators can move cases faster, identify victims sooner, and hold offenders accountable, all while maintaining the highest cybersecurity standards. RAVEN strongly supports this effort to give law enforcement the 21st-century tools they need to protect children online.” “The Safe Cloud Storage Act will modernize and accelerate CSAM investigations conducted by law enforcement,” said Nate King, Director of Policy and Advocacy at International Justice Mission. “This needed legislation builds upon recently increased reporting requirements through the REPORT Act by ensuring that law enforcement-approved vendors who assist in CSAM investigations can legally and securely store evidence that is critical to holding perpetrators accountable, including U.S.-based CSAM offenders who direct and consume live child sexual abuse of children in countries like the Philippines,” “The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) is proud to support the Safe Cloud Storage Act and thanks Representative Lee, Representative Cohen, Representative Knott, and Representative Dean for introducing this important piece of legislation. The bill will modernize law enforcement’s use of advanced technologies, enabling more streamlined investigations of cases of child sexual exploitation. We look forward to working with the bill’s sponsors to see this legislation advance,” said Michelle DeLaune, CEO of NCMEC. Key Provisions of the Safe Cloud Storage Act: Limited Liability Protections: Extends civil and criminal liability protections currently provided to NCMEC vendors under the REPORT Act to additional law enforcement–approved third-party vendors that store or process CSAM evidence for investigative purposes. Accountability Measures: Liability protections do not apply to vendors who engage in intentional misconduct, gross negligence, or acts committed with malice. Cybersecurity Requirements: Vendors must comply with rigorous cybersecurity standards, including National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines. DOJ Notification Requirement: Vendors must notify the Department of Justice within 30 days of entering into a contract with a law enforcement agency to store or process CSAM-related materials. By modernizing how investigators securely manage digital evidence, the Safe Cloud Storage Act helps law enforcement move faster, protect victims sooner, and bring perpetrators of child exploitation to justice.

Rep. Laurel Lee’s Committee Passes Her Key Legislation to Protect Children Online

Position: Rep. Lee supports legislation that establishes online safety protections and education initiatives for minors, including parental tools and resources to reduce children's exposure to harmful online content.

Washington, D.C. — Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced H.R. 7757, the Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act, legislation supported by Congresswoman Laurel Lee (FL-15) that strengthens protections for children online. The comprehensive package includes Rep. Lee’s Promoting a Safer Internet for Minors Act, which would establish a nationwide education initiative to help young people use the internet safely and responsibly. The effort equips parents, educators, and communities with practical tools to reduce children’s exposure to harmful online content. “Parents should not have to fight Big Tech just to keep their kids safe online,” said Rep. Lee. “This legislation strengthens protections for young Americans and gives families the tools they need to help their kids navigate the digital world safely.” The bill now advances to the full U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.

Rep. Laurel Lee Applauds Committee Passage of Energy Emergency Leadership Act

Position: Rep. Lee supports legislation establishing a clear federal leadership structure within the Department of Energy to improve coordination and response capabilities during energy emergencies and protect critical energy infrastructure.

Washington, D.C. — Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced H.R. 7258, the Energy Emergency Leadership Act, legislation introduced by Congresswoman Laurel Lee (FL-15) to strengthen federal coordination and leadership during energy emergencies. The Energy Emergency Leadership Act establishes a clear leadership structure within the Department of Energy to ensure the federal government can respond quickly and effectively to disruptions in the nation’s energy supply. By formalizing energy emergency leadership responsibilities, the bill improves preparedness, coordination across agencies, and the federal government’s ability to protect critical energy infrastructure. “Reliable energy infrastructure is essential to both our economy and our national security. When disruptions threaten our energy systems, whether from natural disasters, cyberattacks, or other risks, the federal government must be ready to respond quickly and effectively,” said Rep. Lee. “The Energy Emergency Leadership Act strengthens that readiness by establishing clear leadership within the Department of Energy to coordinate emergency response and protect critical energy infrastructure. When our energy systems are at risk, the federal government must have clear leadership and the ability to respond immediately. This legislation ensures we are better prepared to protect critical infrastructure and keep our energy systems resilient for families and businesses across the country.” The legislation now moves to the next stage of the legislative process for consideration by the full U.S. House of Representatives.

Rep. Laurel Lee Statement on President Trump’s State of the Union Address

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Laurel Lee (FL-15) released the following statement praising President Trump’s State of the Union Address. “Tonight, President Trump laid out a forward-looking vision to continue strengthening our economy and expanding opportunity for American families. While we have made meaningful progress, there is more work to do to ensure growth reaches every household and that the momentum continues. For families across Florida’s 15th Congressional District in the Tampa Bay area, I remain focused on building on that progress—lowering costs, supporting small businesses, unleashing American energy, securing our border, and restoring fiscal responsibility in Washington. When we prioritize pro-growth policies, protect our freedoms, and keep public safety at the forefront, we create an environment where hardworking families can thrive. I am committed to continuing that work and delivering results that keep our economy strong and our communities secure."