Missing Children's Assistance Act Amendment

Floor Speech

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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 246, a bill to improve the
response to victims of child sex trafficking.

The bipartisan bill, sponsored by the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs.
Beatty), would amend the Missing Children's Assistance Act by adding
the term ``child sex trafficking'' to the list of items which may be
reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's
CyberTipline.

Under the act, the center operates the CyberTipline to allow online
users and electronic service providers a way of reporting Internet-
related child sexual exploitation, including child prostitution.

The term ``trafficking'' more accurately describes the circumstances
by which children are sexually exploited and reinforces the notion that
they are victims, not criminals. Adding trafficking to the list of
items that may be reported to the center will not only help the center
continue its outstanding work of finding and helping victims, but it
will also help experts in the field of missing and exploited children
better understand the nature and extent of the problem.

I am grateful to the gentlewoman from Ohio for introducing this
important legislation, and I appreciate her partnership with the
majority, including the chairman of the full Committee on Education and
the Workforce, Chairman Kline; the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Walberg); and other sponsors.

I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I reserve the
balance of my time.

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