Reps. Burchett, Cuellar introduce Preventing Child Sex Abuse Act of 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C., (Jan. 24, 2023) – Today, U.S. Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-02) introduced the Preventing Child Sex Abuse Act alongside U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28).  

In 2017, Larry Nassar, a sexual predator and former doctor for American Olympic gymnasts, was not charged federally for his illicit sexual contact with minors even though he had crossed state and international lines to commit his crimes against young athletes. This bill adds clarifying language to the U.S. Code that could have provided federal authorities to prosecute Nassar with confidence if it had existed at the time of his trial, and is aimed at improving protections for children from sexual predators in the future. 

“These disgusting sexual predators who prey on kids don’t deserve to be walking around in our society. They deserve to get the book thrown at them,” said Rep. Burchett. “This bill will help get more of these perverts off our streets and behind bars where they belong.”   

The Preventing Child Sex Abuse Act would: 

• Clarify that crossing state or international boundaries with the “intent to engage” in illicit sexual conduct constitutes a sex tourism offense. 
• Prohibit the use of an affiliation with international charities to further illicit sexual conduct. 
• Clarify that the definition of “sexual activity” doesn’t require physical contact. 

This bipartisan bill is the House companion to legislation introduced by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA). The text of the bill can be read here.