119-HR-6719 Journalist Public Summary

Headline Summary

The COP Act (H.R. 6719) would explicitly criminalize threatening to share sexual images of a minor to coerce more images or actions, a practice known as sextortion; it passed the House by voice vote and just moved forward in the Senate Judiciary Committee. (congress.gov)

What It Does

In plain terms, the bill adds a new federal offense: if someone threatens to distribute sexual images of a minor (or a person they believe is a minor) to pressure that child to send more sexual content, that threat itself becomes a crime. It updates two existing child‑exploitation statutes (18 U.S.C. §§ 2252 and 2252A) and covers attempts and conspiracies. Lawmakers cite rising sextortion reports and recent tragedies as the reason for acting. (congress.gov)

Who’s For It

• Broad bipartisan support in the House; it passed on January 12, 2026, under suspension of the rules by voice vote. (congress.gov)
• Sponsor Rep. Laurel Lee (R‑FL) and other backers say the bill closes a gap so prosecutors can directly charge sextortion involving minors. (laurellee.house.gov)
• Senate Judiciary leaders from both parties advanced the bill on February 26, 2026, as part of a bipartisan child‑safety package (the James T. Woods Act). (judiciary.senate.gov)

Who’s Against It

• No organized opposition was recorded during House passage; it cleared by voice vote without a roll‑call against. (congress.gov)
• Context: some civil‑liberties groups have criticized broader child‑safety proposals (like the STOP CSAM Act) for potential effects on speech or encryption, though those critiques were not specifically aimed at H.R. 6719. (en.wikipedia.org)

What’s Next

As of February 26, 2026, the Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a manager’s amendment incorporating the bill into a larger package, sending it to the full Senate. If the Senate passes an amended version, the House would need to agree to the changes (or go to conference) before it can go to the President. (judiciary.senate.gov)