Last week, Representative Troy Nehls (R-TX) introduced legislation aimed at strengthening federal efforts to combat the trafficking and sexual exploitation of children.
The Preventing Trafficking of Minors Act of 2026 would make it a federal crime to buy, solicit, arrange or attempt to obtain commercial sex with a minor, directly targeting the demand that fuels child sex trafficking. The bill would also impose mandatory minimum prison sentences ranging from 10 to 15 years for offenders.
By establishing these parameters, Rep. Nehls said this bill sends a “clear message.”
“The exploitation of children will not be tolerated in the United States,” Rep. Nehls said. “My legislation aims to dismantle the demand side of trafficking while strengthening protections for minors.”
Rather than focusing solely on traffickers, the bill imposes stronger penalties on buyers to curb the entire market that relies on the trafficking of minors, Rep. Nehlds said.
“Those who exploit vulnerable individuals, including our nation’s children, should not be able to evade accountability for their heinous actions,” he said.
This approach is a major reason why Jenelle Goodrich, the founding executive director of From Silenced To Saved, pushed to advance the legislation.
"To truly and wholly combat child trafficking, we must hold buyers accountable and dismantle the systems that enable and normalize their behavior,” Goodrick said. “Addressing demand is not optional, it is the essential step to shutting down the engine that drives the abuse of children.”
Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO), one of the original co-sponsors of the bill, added that current federal law has “gaps” that allow predators to evade justice by explicitly not criminalizing certain kinds of conduct.
“This is unacceptable. We need clear, enforceable protections that ensure those who sex traffic or attempt to coerce minors face serious consequences,” Rep. Evans said.
But this bill is about much more than just tightening legal loopholes, he said.
“This legislation is about standing up for victims and making it absolutely clear: if you prey on children, you will be prosecuted,” Rep. Evans said.
