House Judiciary Committee advances bill to criminalize sextortion threats against children

Representative Miss Lee, the bill sponsor, told the House Judiciary Committee she introduced H.R. 6719, the Combating Online Predators Act of 2025, to address a “disturbing and rapidly growing form of exploitation” known as sextortion and to fill gaps in federal law. "This bill amends section 22 52 and 22 52 a of title 18 to explicitly criminalize the knowing threat to distribute child [sexual] abuse material when that threat is used to coerce a minor," Lee said, urging colleagues to support the legislation.

Why it matters: The measure would make clear that threatening to release sexual images of a child to compel further sexual activity or payment is a federal crime, which supporters said will give prosecutors more consistent charging tools. Lee cited reports that sextortion has risen in recent years and highlighted the human toll; she said some victims have died by suicide.

Support and concerns: The committee’s ranking member said he would back the bill because it addresses a serious issue but warned several bills on the agenda had not had prior hearings and that some provisions could be improved. He urged further work on components the bill does not address, including the financial elements of these crimes.

Procedure and vote: Representative Lee offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute described as a small change to the short title that did not alter the bill’s substance. The amendment was adopted, and the committee voted to report H.R. 6719 favorably to the House. Members were given two days to submit views, and staff were authorized to make technical and conforming edits.

What’s next: The bill was ordered to be reported favorably to the full House for further consideration; members may submit views within the two-day window in the committee record.