Federal kidnapping law now covers tricking or deceiving someone to obtain a child, not just using force. Attempted sexual abuse of minors carries the same penalties as completed abuse. A child under 16 can no longer be said to have 'consented' unless the accused proves they reasonably believed the child was at least 16.
Modern Action explains what the legislation does, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Latest action on H.R. 2735: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Who this affects: This bill primarily affects children who are victims of kidnapping and sexual abuse, federal prosecutors who handle these cases, and people accused of these crimes. It also impacts the federal prison system where the new touching offense applies, and potentially shifts some cases from state to federal courts.
Why this matters: Current federal law has gaps that can let child predators avoid serious charges. Someone who tricks a family to obtain a child might not face federal kidnapping charges because the law only covered force. A child's supposed 'consent' could be used as a defense even when the victim was very young. This bill closes those gaps and gives federal law enforcement stronger tools to protect children from exploitation.
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
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Officially: Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act
Federal kidnapping law now covers tricking or deceiving someone to obtain a child, not just using force. Attempted sexual abuse of minors carries the same penalties as completed abuse. A child under 16 can no longer be said to have 'consented' unless the accused proves they reasonably believed the child was at least 16.
Use this page to support, oppose, or ask Congress to amend HR2735. Modern Action explains what the bill does, helps identify the right senators or representative, and drafts a bill-specific message you can edit and send.
Where it stands
Sitting in House Committee
No vote scheduled. Constituent contact is what moves bills out of committee.
↓ Why your message matters here
This bill is sitting in committee with no scheduled vote — which means a small number of constituent messages can decide whether it moves forward or quietly dies.
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The debate
Where this bill is in the process
Introduced
Introduced in House
House Committee
Under House committee consideration
Latest: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (4/8/2025)
House Floor Vote
Voted on by House
Passed House
Approved by House
Senate Review
Sent to Senate for consideration
Passed Both Chambers
Approved by both House and Senate
Signed into Law
Signed by the President
For more detail
Choose one clear position: support, oppose, or amend. Then pick any reasons or personal context you want included. Modern Action uses that input and the bill context to draft a message you can edit and send.
Congressional offices prioritize messages from their own constituents. Modern Action uses your address to route the drafted message to your House representative when that is the most relevant target for this bill.
The draft includes the bill number, your position, the reasons you selected, any personal context you added, and a direct ask such as voting yes, voting no, cosponsoring, opposing, or seeking changes. You stay in control because you can edit the message before sending.
This page gives you an opportunity to support, oppose, or ask for changes to Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act, then contact the elected officials who can act. Modern Action drafts the message from your position and the reasons you select.
Modern Action keeps the action tied to the bill itself: what it does, where it is in the process (committee), which office can still act, and what ask belongs in the message.
You are not starting from a blank form. Modern Action drafts the message around HR2735, your stance, and the reasons you choose, then lets you edit and send when ready.
