WASHINGTON – Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) today applauded the enactment of S. 2051, the Missing Children’s Assistance Reauthorization Act, as a key step in fulfilling the nation’s promise to protect the most vulnerable children.
The law, which was authored by Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee Chairman Aaron Bean (R-FL) and U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT), a senior member of the Committee, renews funding for the Missing Children’s Assistance Act (MCAA) through Fiscal Year 2028 (FY 2028) and updates the statute concerning the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). It will better equip law enforcement to respond to crimes affecting children, support youth who are missing, and prevent child sexual exploitation and victimization.
“One of the longstanding priorities of our nation is to protect the most vulnerable children – it is an issue that transcends politics, and one that Americans wholeheartedly support. With the bipartisan Missing Children’s Assistance Reauthorization Act having been signed into law, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children can continue its work serving as a national force for the common good. I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their efforts in supporting this legislation, and for their commitment to giving the most vulnerable children a fighting chance,” said Foxx.
“As a father of three, I cannot imagine the pain of a missing or exploited child. 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 effort, and this bill will modernize the reporting system, so law enforcement can quickly find missing children and bring closure to countless families. Today is an important step in the fight to prevent child victimization, sexual exploitation, and abductions, and I am proud to see our bill signed into law,” said Bean.
“In a narrowly divided Congress, it is very encouraging to see enactment of the bipartisan Missing Children’s Assistance Reauthorization Act, which I have co-led in the House alongside my Republican colleague Congressman Bean. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has provided critical lifesaving help for families, law enforcement, and child protection agencies that have to be maintained. With President Biden’s signature, we are ensuring the Center has the latest, up-to-date resources it needs to continue protecting children and supporting families, which is particularly important today as more children are falling victim to predatory online practices,” said Courtney.
“Every child deserves a safe, loving home. And when a child goes missing or suffers abuse, families experience unimaginable pain and horror. And for children, the trauma is much worse. Many survivors of exploitation or abuse suffer physical and mental harm that can impact them for years. Members on both sides of the aisle have long agreed the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is essential to protecting and supporting exploited children, as well as restoring hope for parents and loved ones. The Missing Children’s Assistance Reauthorization Act will renew the authorization for NCMEC’s grant program and ensure that NCMEC has the necessary tools to protect America’s most vulnerable children. I am grateful to my colleagues, Representatives Courtney and Bean, for their leadership on this important issue,” said Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, Ranking Member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce.
The legislation was championed by U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill passed both the House and Senate with unanimous votes.
“The horrors of the Internet are every parent’s worst nightmare. From the beginning of this Congress, Senator Graham and I have been on a mission in the Senate Judiciary Committee to raise awareness of the harms caused by Big Tech to our kids, pass legislation to hold Big Tech accountable for its failures, and bolster programs that support victims and their families. I’m immensely grateful for NCMEC and its work as an invaluable lifeline – to the tune of 100,000 CyberTips per day concerning child sexual exploitation – and I’m glad these programs will be stronger for years to come,” said Durbin.
“NCMEC is one of the most important organizations we have to protect children. I’m glad this bipartisan legislation to keep NCMEC’s programs up and running has been signed into law,” said Graham.
The Missing Children’s Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2023 improves NCMEC’s ability to:
● Assist law enforcement to identify, locate, and recover missing and exploited children;
● Develop educational materials to reduce the risk of child sex trafficking, online enticement, sexual extortion, and cyberbullying;
● Provide education and technical assistance on conducting background checks on individuals working with children;
● Offer support services to missing and exploited children and their families; and
● Facilitate requests to have child sexual abuse material removed from the internet.
