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Senate Approves Child Soldiers Legislation

On December 19, the Senate passed, by unanimous consent, the Child Soldiers Accountability Act (S. 2135), sponsored by Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL). The bill would prohibit the recruitment or use of child soldiers, and would ensure that the United States does not act as a safe haven for individuals who participated in the use of child soldiers under the age of fifteen. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the measure on November 8 (see The Source, 11/09/07).

During consideration of the bill, the Senate adopted, by unanimous consent, an amendment by Rep. Russ Feingold (D-WI), to exclude non-violent political groups from the definition of an armed force or group.