[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 20, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H4416-H4417]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             ENACT STRICTER SENTENCES FOR CHILD TRAFFICKERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Guam 
(Mr. Moylan) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to share the introduction of 
my bill, the CHILD Act of 2023.
  This bill seeks to amend chapter 77, section 1591 of title 18, United 
States Code, by raising the mandatory minimum years of imprisonment for 
engaging in the trafficking of any person under the age of 18.
  The current law states that if convicted of trafficking a victim 
under the age of 14, there is a minimum of 15 years imprisonment. If 
convicted of trafficking a victim between the ages of 14 and 17, the 
minimum sentence is 10 years imprisonment.
  Child sex trafficking remains a pressing issue in the United States. 
In 2021, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children 
received over 17,200 reports of child sex trafficking in all 50 U.S. 
States, affecting every type of community, including cities, rural 
areas, and Tribal land.
  According to an NCMEC report from 2021, out of the 25,000 missing 
runaway children, 1 out of 6 are likely to be victims of sex 
trafficking.
  Offenders often target vulnerable children who are of lower income, 
live in dangerous circumstances, and seek out better lives for 
themselves. Victims come from all backgrounds and become trapped in a 
never-ending cycle

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of threats, abuse, false promises, isolation, shame, and debt.
  These victims are deprived of something every child deserves--a 
future.
  If enacted, this legislation would make the sentence for traffickers 
exploiting victims under the age of 18 the same regardless of their 
age. A child is still a minor, and there should be no differentiation 
at all.
  It would also increase the minimum sentence to 25 years for those who 
are convicted of child trafficking. This will convey the serious nature 
of their crime and ensure that traffickers know that they will be 
punished if they continue to exploit minors.
  By enacting more stringent penalties, this bill aims to bring justice 
for the victims and families affected by child trafficking and issues a 
strong statement to traffickers, who leave a lifetime of scars on 
innocent children.
  My message is clear: Sex trafficking is a heinous crime that will not 
be tolerated.
  Current laws are too soft on these criminals, and I am committed to 
ensuring stricter laws and harsher punishments to anyone who harms 
innocent children.
  Lastly, I urge my colleagues in Congress to support this crucial 
piece of legislation to protect all children.
  I also thank my co-leads--Congressman Don Davis, Congressman Buddy 
Carter, Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger, Congressman Don Bacon, and 
Congresswoman Amata Radewagen--for cosponsoring the CHILD Act of 2023.

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