Ted Cruz, TX
Linked statement
“I want the Senate to pass this bill. Robberies at cash machines are rising, but federal prosecutors often lack the power to go after these criminals. This bill lets federal law enforcement investigate and prosecute these thefts.”
“Mr. President, I want to share the story of a young man named Juan Lopez. Juan was a hard-working family man who lived in Georgia. On Black Friday in 2021 he was murdered while on the phone with his sister withdrawing cash from a stand-alone ATM. Juan’s story is not an isolated tragedy, and, sadly, many of these crimes are never reported. Back in 1934, Congress enacted the Federal Bank Robbery Act in response to a plethora of bank robberies that plagued the early 20th century. This legislation did one simple thing: make bank robberies a Federal offense. And as a result, bank robberies fell dramatically. Now, as we are seeing robberies happening at ATMs found at grocery stores, outside of banks, and on back-country roads, it is clear that action is needed to protect millions of Americans who rely on ATMs for cash--cash that buys groceries, that pays for public transportation, and that makes rent. There are now more than 530,000 ATMs in the United States handling more than 10 billion transactions each and every year. As bank branches decline with roughly 20 percent fewer today than a decade ago, thefts at ATMs are rising, increasing 21 percent year over year. In some cases, robbers can walk away with $15,000 in 5 minutes. And under current law, Federal prosecutors often lack the authority to pursue them. That is why, together with Senator Ruben Gallego, ranking member on the Digital Assets Subcommittee in the Banking Committee, I introduced the Safe Access to Cash Act bringing the Federal Bank Robbery Act into the 21st century. The Safe Access to Cash Act closes that gap in the law allowing Federal law enforcement to investigate and bring justice for crimes like this. This legislation has support from our Nation’s leading law enforcement organizations, from organizations that represent stores and retailers, and from groups that bear the financial cost of repeat ATM robberies. I want to thank my colleagues Senator Grassley and Senator Durbin for their leadership in passing this legislation through the Senate Judiciary Committee. Mr. President, as if in legislative session and notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 350, S. 3798.”
Mr. President, I want to share the story of a young man named Juan Lopez. Juan was a hard-working family man who lived in Georgia. On Black Friday in 2021 he was murdered while on the phone with his sister withdrawing cash from a stand-alone ATM. Juan’s story is not an isolated tragedy, and, sadly, many of these crimes are never reported. Back in 1934, Congress enacted the Federal Bank Robbery Act in response to a plethora of bank robberies that plagued the early 20th century. This legislation did one simple thing: make bank robberies a Federal offense. And as a result, bank robberies fell dramatically. Now, as we are seeing robberies happening at ATMs found at grocery stores, outside of banks, and on back-country roads, it is clear that action is needed to protect millions of Americans who rely on ATMs for cash--cash that buys groceries, that pays for public transportation, and that makes rent. There are now more than 530,000 ATMs in the United States handling more than 10 billion transactions each and every year. As bank branches decline with roughly 20 percent fewer today than a decade ago, thefts at ATMs are rising, increasing 21 percent year over year. In some cases, robbers can walk away with $15,000 in 5 minutes. And under current law, Federal prosecutors often lack the authority to pursue them. That is why, together with Senator Ruben Gallego, ranking member on the Digital Assets Subcommittee in the Banking Committee, I introduced the Safe Access to Cash Act bringing the Federal Bank Robbery Act into the 21st century. The Safe Access to Cash Act closes that gap in the law allowing Federal law enforcement to investigate and bring justice for crimes like this. This legislation has support from our Nation’s leading law enforcement organizations, from organizations that represent stores and retailers, and from groups that bear the financial cost of repeat ATM robberies. I want to thank my colleagues Senator Grassley and Senator Durbin for their leadership in passing this legislation through the Senate Judiciary Committee. Mr. President, as if in legislative session and notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 350, S. 3798.