[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 96 (Tuesday, June 6, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E763]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           PROTECTING AGAINST CHILD EXPLOITATION ACT OF 2017

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                               speech of

                         HON. SUZANNE BONAMICI

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2017

  Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1761, 
the Protecting Against Child Exploitation Act. Although I support the 
goal of the bill, which aims to strengthen existing laws that 
criminalize engaging in sexual acts with a child that result in the 
production of an image or video, I am concerned that its overly broad 
language could cause unintended consequents that go beyond the 
sponsors' intentions. Make no mistake, our children deserve the 
strongest possible protection against such heinous acts and abuse. I am 
deeply concerned; however, that the bill does not take into 
consideration situations between consenting teenagers. Teenagers today 
have access to more technology than ever before, and far too many of 
them do not comprehend the seriousness of exchanging sexually explicit 
images of themselves with one another. Although I do not condone such 
behavior, I cannot support a bill that does not distinguish between 
those situations and the morally reprehensible crimes against children. 
I commend my colleague, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, for offering 
an amendment that would make consensual activity between a minor who is 
fifteen years old or older and an adult who is nineteen years old or 
younger punishable as a misdemeanor, rather than a felony. The 
amendment was narrowly tailored to make sure that the punishment for 
such consensual situations is proportionate to the severity of the 
crime. I was disappointed that the House did not adopt the Jackson-Lee 
amendment, and I cannot support the underlying bill without the 
inclusion of this important policy provision.

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