Representative Laurel Lee (R-FL) has played an integral role in sending the Revising Existing Procedures On Reporting via Technology (REPORT) Act to President Joe Biden’s (D) desk as a companion bill sponsor. The bill looks to change requirements regarding how electronic service providers submit reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) when they are alerted of violations involving sexual exploitation of children online.
The legislation passed in the Senate with unanimous consent.
When sent to the House of Representatives, Congresswoman Lee spoke on the bill’s behalf. Afterward, it was passed by a voice vote without objection.
On the House floor, Rep. Lee gave a stern speech on the topic.
Gaps in federal law prevent the preservation of reports for online child exploitation, hindering law enforcement from holding these criminals accountable.
Thank you to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for your support—the REPORT Act now heads to President Biden's desk. pic.twitter.com/eNhwLGb9B2
— Congresswoman Laurel Lee (@RepLaurelLee) April 30, 2024
“Reports of CSAM (child sexual abuse material) continue to grow exponentially, with 3,000 reports in 1998, growing to more than 1 million in 2014 and 36.2 million in 2023. We have gaps in federal law that prevent the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children – or NCMEC – from preserving reports of CSAM, which hinders law enforcement from holding these predators accountable,” said Rep. Lee. “With the growing proliferation of CSAM on the internet, NCMEC, Homeland Security investigations, and other entities that protect children need additional support and investigative tools to bring these predators to justice.”
She also released a statement, thanking both chambers and both sides of the aisle for coming together to pass this legislation in the Legislative Branch.
The REPORT Act will protect children from online threats and predators, ensuring law enforcement can quickly investigate, identify, and prosecute offenders.
I am proud that my House colleagues voted to pass this critical piece of legislation to protect our children. pic.twitter.com/klaRpA4RWI
— Congresswoman Laurel Lee (@RepLaurelLee) April 29, 2024
“The REPORT Act will help fight against the exploitation of children online by strengthening existing reporting procedures and requiring companies to disclose crimes involving child sexual abuse to NCMEC. I applaud both the House and Senate for passing this crucial legislation that will help law enforcement quickly identify and prosecute perpetrators to protect our children from threats online,” said Lee.
On the Senate side, the bill was introduced by Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). It was co-sponsored by Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Mike Lee (R-UT), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), James Lankford (R-OK), and Marco Rubio (R-FL). It passed the upper chamber in December.
On the House side, the companion bill was sponsored by Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), and Susie Lee (D-NV) alongside Rep. Lee. Co-sponsors included Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Barry Moore (R-AL), Bill Posey (R-FL), Russell Fry (R-SC), Carlos A. Gimenez (R-FL), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), and Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (D-GA).
