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Congress·Passed House·about 2 months ago

Congress Targets Online “Sextortion” by Making Threats to Share Minor Sexual Images a Federal Crime

Also known as: Combating Online Predators Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
✓ Review
✓ House
Senate
President

Impacts

Negative Impacts(1)
Criminal Record
Hurts
Mixed Impacts(2)
Child Tax Credit
Neutral
Federal Employee
Neutral
Positive Impacts(1)
Student
Helps

Key Points

  • Creates a new federal crime for threatening to share sexual images of a minor to pressure them into making or sending more images.
  • Covers threats sent online or across state or national lines, like messages, emails, or posts that travel through the internet.
  • Applies even if the target is someone the offender believes is a minor, aiming to stop “sextortion” attempts early.
  • Adds these threat-based crimes into existing federal child sexual exploitation laws, which can strengthen prosecution tools.
  • Could increase law enforcement investigations and criminal penalties for people who use threats to exploit kids online.
Criminal JusticeCivil RightsTechnology

Milestones

4 milestones12 actions
Jan 13, 2026Senate

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Jan 12, 2026House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Jan 12, 2026House

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H628)

Jan 12, 2026

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

Jan 12, 2026House

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6719.

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

After the bill becomes law (no date provided in text)

If Congress passes the bill and the President signs it, threatening a minor with sexual-image distribution to force new images becomes a clearer federal crime.

People making these threats face a higher chance of federal charges; victims and families may see faster, more direct enforcement options.

Related News

3 articles
Quiver Quantitative (CongressRadar)·about 2 months ago

U.S. House Unanimously Passes Combating Online Predators Act Introduced by Rep. Laurel Lee

AI summary of a press release stating the House unanimously passed H.R. 6719, the Combating Online Predators Act, to criminalize threats to distribute child sexual abuse material used in sextortion schemes.

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Rep. Julie Fedorchak official site (press release)·about 2 months ago

Fedorchak votes to protect kids online, hold online predators accountable

Press release summarizing passage of multiple child-exploitation bills; specifically notes H.R. 6719 criminalizes threats to distribute sexually explicit images of minors used to coerce more material (sextortion).

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The Floridian

Florida Congresswoman Laurel Lee’s Combating Online Predators Act Passes House Judiciary Committee

Covers House Judiciary Committee action on Lee’s bill, describing how it targets sextortion by criminalizing threats to distribute sexual images of minors to coerce additional content.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Combating Online Predators Act

Bill NumberHR 6719
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(2)
D: 1R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.