Columbia Standard

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today applauded the signing of the Missing Children’s Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2023 into law by President Biden. The bill renews funding for the Missing Children’s Assistance Act (MCAA) through Fiscal Year 2028 and updates the statute concerning the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).

“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 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.

Historically, this legislation has been sponsored by the Ranking Member and Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Senate passed Graham and Durbin’s legislation by unanimous vote on July 28, 2023. The House passed an amended version of the legislation on April 9, 2024, where it was championed by U.S. Representatives Aaron Bean (R-FL-04), Joe Courtney (D-CT-02), Virginia Foxx (R-NC-05), and Bobby Scott (D-VA-03). The Senate passed the House version on June 5.

“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 fighting 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 that NCMEC has up-to-date resources needed to continue protecting children and supporting families which is particularly important today as more children fall victim to predatory online practices,” said Courtney.

“One longstanding priority of our nation is protecting vulnerable children – it transcends politics, receiving wholehearted support from Americans. With this bipartisan act now signed into law NCMEC can continue serving as a national force for good. Thanks go out to colleagues from both sides who supported this legislation aimed at giving vulnerable children a fighting chance,” said Foxx.

“Every child deserves a safe home; when they go missing or suffer abuse families experience unimaginable pain while survivors endure lasting trauma impacting them physically or mentally over years. Members across both aisles agree that NCMEC remains essential in protecting exploited children while restoring hope among parents/loved ones," said Scott.

Background on NCMEC:

NCMEC receives funding through MCAA describing itself as “a private non-profit corporation whose mission involves helping find missing children reducing child sexual exploitation preventing victimization.” It collaborates with “families victims private industry law enforcement public assisting prevention abductions recovery services combating exploitation.”

Among its many programs NCMEC operates:

1) A national toll-free hotline available around-the-clock allowing individuals report any information regarding missing children's whereabouts.

2) CyberTipline - nation's centralized reporting system handling online exploitation used both individuals/providers required submitting suspected CSAM offenses reports.

3) Child Victim Identification Program - clearinghouse identifying locating CSAM depicted children nationwide.

In 2013 approximately 1k+ daily CyberTips were received whereas ten years later figures rose significantly reaching about 100k/day.

The reauthorized grant ensures continued operational capability incorporating minor revisions such authorizing $49M annually FY24-FY28 allocated towards programs ($41M directed towards NCMEC); expanding family support services providing technical assistance background checks requiring state-sponsored care reports codifying current CSAM removal facilitation program run requests providers.