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U.S. Rep. Dave Trott is proposing to make female genital mutilation a 15-year crime nationwide, matching a tough new Michigan penalty signed into law earlier this month.
The Stopping Abusive Female Exploitation (SAFE) Act would increase the current federal punishment of up to five years in prison for mutilating the genitals of anyone under the age of 18.
The Birmingham Republican is introducing the bipartisan legislation Thursday with Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-New York.
"The Centers for Disease Control estimates that more than 500,000 females in the United States have undergone or are at risk for genital mutilation and recently this staggering statistic hit home in Southeast Michigan," Trott said in a statement.