Bean Reintroduces the Missing Children's Assistance Reauthorization Act

Representative Aaron Bean (R-FL) is looking for co-sponsors for his bipartisan Missing Children’s Assistance Reauthorization Act. Rep. Bean believes that this bill will pass easily, as it is something all members of Congress could get behind.

The Florida congressman spoke to The Floridian regarding the bill’s legitimacy when asked if he thought it would make it through the House of Representatives.

“It’s apple pie. It’s missing children and exploited children. It’s a big deal in our country. We just assume that an agency always is looking for them. But this expires, they go away unless we reauthorize them,” said Rep. Bean.

He addressed the “underlying issues,” however, mentioning the notion that border security and limiting government spending are a main goal as well.

“We want to spend less, we want to close that border. And that’s the underlying issue with what people care about more than anything else: the border and spending less,” said Rep. Bean.

He would go on to say that the Republican Conference is “giddy” to be reunited and get back to work.

“It’s a new day with Mike Johnson getting elected Speaker so I think I can’t wait ‘til our next Conference meeting. But today, I think everybody’s a little bit giddy because we’re so excited to be united and getting back to business, back to work.

According to Bean’s pamphlet obtained by The Floridian, the legislation – H.R. 5524 is “a non-controversial, bipartisan legislation to continue supporting the critical mission of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).”

Rep. Aaron Bean's Pamphlet

It would improve the Center’s ability to “recover missing children, reduce the risk of child sex trafficking, and offer support services to exploited children and their family,” as well as renew the Missing Children’s Assistance Act.

In August of 2022, Bean introduced this bill with co-sponsor Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT).

At the time, Bean stated “Reauthorizing the MCAA gives hope and encouragement to loved ones during a time of immense heartbreak and uncertainty. Time is a critical factor in the search and recovery effort, and this bill will modernize the reporting system, so law enforcement can more efficiently find missing persons and bring closure to countless families to ensure the NCMEC can continue their critical mission to help find missing children, reduce child sexual exploitation, and prevent child victimization."

The House of Representatives is finally back to work after removing former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA) was sworn in as the 56th Speaker of the House on Wednesday.