‘These are the facts’: Congresswoman reads rape victim’s letter on House floor

U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Hillsborough) went to the House floor Tuesday morning to read part of the 12-page statement read aloud in court by the woman raped by a former Stanford University swimmer whose six-month jail sentence has been decried as a paltry punishment.

The House often sets aside time when members can have up to five minutes to address the chamber on any topic they want.

Some use the time to talk about constituents or topics they don’t think are getting enough attention.

Speier began her remarks on the California case, and the candid and blunt statement that has captivated public attention with the words, “These are facts.”

Warning, some graphic language: