Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today testified at a Senate Commerce Subcommittee hearing on the need for a full and complete accounting of the failures that allowed young athletes to be abused even after allegations of abuse were made to officials within institutions:

 Low-resolution video is available here.

"It was well over a year ago, that I had a meeting in my conference room with a group of women. And I walked in and I looked at faces with expressions that I had never seen before. And I realized that it was something really serious.

And in the course of that discussion, events were related. We did a bill. Others joined. That bill has passed, and we’ve taken a giant step forward.

Last week, in an extraordinary moment broadcast for the whole world to see, U.S. Olympic gymnasts Aly Raisman, Jordyn Wieber, Jamie Dantzscher, along with 100 athletes, took the stage at the ESPY Awards to accept the Arthur Ashe courage award.

It was an incredibly moving presentation, and I thought about that time in my office when these frightened faces were in front of me, and the survivors, many of whom are here today, radiate remarkable grace, beauty, and strength. I would like each of these survivors to take a moment to stand, so that we can recognize them in this hearing room.

These ‘sister survivors’ took the stage after having endured hellish abuse over many years. This abuse was compounded by the toll it has taken on them to come forward to tell their story, tell their truth, despite certain institutions’ repeated attempts to silence them.

Their solidarity, and courage in coming forward—I marvel at it. I’ve worked with Chairman Grassley, Chairman Thune, and Ranking Member Nelson to protect future victims through the Protecting Victims from Sexual Abuse Act, and I appreciate the support of colleagues.

But the fact is, revelations regarding institutional failures continue to force these victims to relive their experience over and over again.

There must be a full and transparent accounting of what Michigan State University, the U.S. Olympic Committee, USA Gymnastics and the FBI, all knew and did about Dr. Larry Nassar while he continued to abuse young girls.

Earlier this month, Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, Senator Blumenthal, and I wrote a letter to FBI Director Chris Wray, requesting information about why, after the FBI first received information about Dr. Nassar in July 2015, the FBI failed to intervene while dozens of athletes continued to be treated—and abused—by Dr. Nassar.

Similarly, despite reports that officials within Michigan State University, the U.S. Olympic Committee, and U.S.A Gymnastics knew that Dr. Nassar was alleged to have abused athletes, he was allowed to continue to treat and molest young victims.

Even after Dr. Nassar was finally arrested and prosecuted, hundreds of victims and their parents were never notified, contacted or informed by these institutions about how they could obtain information about all that happened to their children.

To this day, many families of these survivors have yet to be contacted by officials at these institutions. Instead, it appears that these institutions undertook massive public relations campaigns to preserve themselves, rather than rallying to the side of these survivors and their families. That is simply unacceptable.

Last year, when we worked on the Protecting Victims from Sexual Abuse Act, the overarching principle for me was the question of, “how can we best support and empower survivors?” I believe each of the bill’s supporters had the same intention.

Tragically, it does not appear that Michigan State, the USOC, USA Gymnastics, or even the FBI, adhered to the same guiding principle. Instead there have been disturbing revelations of cover-up and of trying to silence vulnerable victims. Some victims were pressured to sign non-disclosure agreements to silence them from coming forward. I and other senators are looking closely at this issue.

Ultimately, these institutions must all continue to reexamine their mission and focus—to truly serve as a beacon to lift up the well-being of athletes, rather than to profit off of them and protect the bottom line.

Who can forget when Jessica Howard testified last year in the Judiciary Committee that USA Gymnastics officials stated its priority was ‘money and medals,”’ and not the well-being of young athletes in their care. As lawmakers, we must make sure that these institutions are held accountable.”

Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today testified at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on the importance of continue investigation into the institutional failures that allow young athletes to be abused:

High-resolution video is available here. Low-resolution video is available here.

“Thank you Chairman Moran and Ranking Member Blumenthal for holding this hearing, and Chairman Thune and Ranking Member Nelson for your continued advocacy to protect vulnerable athletes.

It was about, well over a year ago, that I had am meeting in my conference room with a group of women. And I walked in and, Senator Grassley, I looked at faces with expressions that I had never seen before. And I realized that it was something really serious.

And in the course of that discussion, events were related. We did a bill. Others joined. That bill has passed, and we’ve taken a giant step forward.

Last week, in an extraordinary moment broadcast for the whole world to see, U.S. Olympic gymnasts Aly Raisman, Jordyn Wieber, Jamie Dantzscher, along with 100 athletes, took the stage at the ESPY Awards to accept the Arthur Ashe courage award.

It was an incredibly moving presentation, and I thought about that time in my office when these frightened faces were in front of me, and the survivors, many of whom are here today, radiate remarkable grace, beauty, and strength. I would like each of these survivors to take a moment to stand, so that we can recognize them in this hearing room.

These ‘sister survivors’ took the stage after having endured hellish abuse over many years. This abuse was compounded by the toll it has taken on them to come forward to tell their story, tell their truth, despite certain institutions’ repeated attempts to silence them.

Their solidarity, and courage in coming forward—I marvel at it. I’ve worked with Chairman Grassley, Chairman Thune, and Ranking Member Nelson to protect future victims through the Protecting Victims from Sexual Abuse Act, and I appreciate the support of colleagues.

But the fact is, revelations regarding institutional failures continue to force these victims from having to relive their experience over and over again.

There must be a full and transparent accounting of what Michigan State University, the U.S. Olympic Committee, USA Gymnastics and the FBI, all knew and did about Dr. Larry Nassar while he continued to abuse young girls.

Earlier this month, Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, Senator Blumenthal, and I wrote a letter to FBI Director Chris Wray, requesting information about why, after the FBI first received information about Dr. Nassar in July 2015, the FBI failed to intervene while dozens of athletes continued to be treated—and abused—by Dr. Nassar.

Similarly, despite reports that officials within Michigan State University, the U.S. Olympic Committee, and U.S.A Gymnastics knew that Dr. Nassar was alleged to have abused athletes, he was allowed to continue to treat and molest young victims.

Even after Dr. Nassar was finally arrested and prosecuted, hundreds of victims and their parents were never notified, contacted or informed by these institutions about how they could obtain information about all that happened to their children.

To this day, many families of these survivors have yet to be contacted by officials at these institutions. Instead, it appears that these institutions undertook massive public relations campaigns to preserve themselves, rather than rallying to the side of these survivors and their families. That is simply unacceptable.

Last year, when we worked on the Protecting Victims from Sexual Abuse Act, the overarching principle for me was the question of, “how can we best support and empower survivors?” I believe each of the bill’s supporters had the same intention.

Tragically, it does not appear that Michigan State, the USOC, USA Gymnastics, or even the FBI, adhered to the same guiding principle. Instead there have been disturbing revelations of cover-up and of trying to silence vulnerable victims. Some victims were pressured to sign non-disclosure agreements to silence them from coming forward. I and other senators are looking closely at this issue.

Ultimately, these institutions must all continue to reexamine their mission and focus—to truly serve as a beacon to lift up the well-being of athletes, rather than to profit off of them and protect the bottom line.

Who can forget when Jessica Howard testified last year in the Judiciary Committee that USA Gymnastics officials stated its priority was ‘money and medals,”’ and not the well-being of young athletes in their care. As lawmakers, we must make sure that these institutions are held accountable.”