{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://meng.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/meng-legislation-to-strengthen-rewards-program-that-fights-terrorism-and", "Meng Legislation to Strengthen Rewards Program that Fights Terrorism and International Crimes Signed into Law", "2016-12-20", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Grace Meng", "M001188", "meng.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) announced today that her measure to strengthen the Rewards for Justice Program, a key government initiative used to fight terrorism and other international crimes, has been signed into law by the President as part of the Department of State Authorities Act.\n\u00a0\nThe program allows the Secretary of State to pay cash rewards for information that leads to the apprehension of anybody involved in international terrorism, narcotics trafficking, transnational crime, war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide.\n\u00a0\nMeng\u2019s measure would allow rewards to be given to those who provide information on individuals who \u201caid\u201d or \u201cabet\u201d war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide. Presently, people who offer information on individuals who \u201caid\u201d or \u201cabet\u201d these kinds of criminal acts do not qualify for this type of financial reward.\n\u00a0\n\u201cMy legislation will expand the Rewards For Justice Program and make it an even stronger tool in helping our nation combat terrorism and other international crimes,\u201d said Meng, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. \u201cI am pleased that this important measure is now law. It is imperative that we do all we can to prevent these heinous acts, and this legislation will be a huge help in that effort. I applaud the President for signing the Department of State Authorities Act into law.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://meng.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/meng-legislation-to-strengthen-rewards-program-that-fights-terrorism-and"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.9787719938904047, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}