Reed Talks March For Our Lives, Priest Abuse, Stormy Daniels

By Katrina Fuller
Post-Journal
March 27, 2018

http://www.post-journal.com/news/page-one/2018/03/reed-talks-march-for-our-lives-priest-abuse-stormy-daniels/

U.S. Rep. Tom Reed said he is listening to the voice of the marchers from the March For Our Lives Movement.

The movement saw a multitude of marchers come out across the U.S. in support of common sense gun control and the school safety. Reed, R-Corning, said he hopes the movement can be part of a “foundational shift” that will allow the country to come together and “solve this problem of violence within our schools and within our country.”

“The outpouring of support you saw, I think, should be applauded and I appreciate that input and that engagement in the democratic process to make sure that voice is heard,” Reed said. “I can assure you I’m listening.”

Reed said proposals have come together in the Problem Solvers Caucus. Reed said issues have been discussed such as legislation to fund school resource officers; make sure the background check system is functioning; and mental illness.

“The enhanced funding that we’re starting to see come through the legislative process is good and a positive development,” he said. “We just have to build off those successes.”

Reed said he is hopeful the movement will make the issue more than a campaign issue. He said he still “stands firm” on the Second Amendment. He said it is important to be able to put aside some staunch beliefs and come up with solutions that will help keep students safe.

Reed also addressed the list of priests’ names who were accused of child sex abuse that was released last week by the Buffalo Diocese. He said he is aware of the list due to the news, and is also aware of the issue that involved the Catholic Church in the past several years. Reed said priests and clergy are some of the “most trusted folks in society.”

“First, obviously any type of abuse situation is completely unacceptable,” he said. “We stand with any victim who needs the resources to be able to deal with this abuse, and to address it and be given justice as well as healing to move forward.”

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Reed

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Reed said the issue of child sex abuse is currently being dealt with at the state level and at the federal level which includes support for anti-abuse and anti-human trafficking legislation.

“From a big picture federal level very much is in play, but when you get down to the state avenues of recourse, (it’s) really being handled, from my understanding of the situation, at the state capitals. Albany is dealing with the issue as we speak.”

Reed said his office is making sure any such issues are brought to his attention, but to his knowledge, his office has not dealt with a child sex abuse victim involving a priest.

“If we hear of anything, we’ll obviously be a voice and stand ready to assist anyone who wants that assistance,” he said. “We will be a resource, and we stand firm with them and in their corner as they go through a tremendously difficult situation.”

Reed also answered questions about the Stormy Daniels broadcast that aired on “60 Minutes” on Sunday. Daniels, who’s real name is Stephanie Clifford, is an adult film actress who is suing President Donald Trump. Clifford alleges she had a sexual relationship with Trump in 2006 and signed a nondisclosure agreement just before the presidential election. She alleges the agreement is invalid.

Reed said he did not see the broadcast, but had seen news reports about it.

“This is a matter that the White House is appropriately going to have to respond to and address going forward,” he said. “I know the president has taken steps on his own to address and respond to this situation. As you see this unfold, I would hope what we can do is let that process take its course and let the White House deal with this at the end of the day.”