My legislation aims to dismantle the demand side of trafficking while strengthening protections for minors. Those who exploit vulnerable individuals, including our nation’s children, should not be able to evade accountability for their heinous actions.
Strengthen federal law to combat child trafficking by closing loopholes and holding buyers of commercial sex acts with minors accountable.
Occurrences
Today, Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) introduced the Preventing Trafficking of Minors Act of 2026, legislation that would strengthen existing federal law and help prevent the human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children.
Evidence
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H.R. 9071 would amend title 18 to include patronizing or soliciting a minor for a commercial sex act. Quiver lists Troy E. Nehls as sponsor and shows actions on May 29, 2026: introduced in House and referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
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Congress.gov lists Rep. Troy E. Nehls as sponsor of H.R.9047, introduced July 15, 2024, with latest action the same day: referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. The official title was to amend title 18 regarding kidnapping, sexual abuse, and illicit sexual conduct with respect to minors.
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Govwatch lists H.R.9071, Preventing Trafficking of Minors Act of 2026, sponsored by Rep. Troy E. Nehls, as introduced on 2026-05-29. Its latest action is 'Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary' on 2026-05-29, and the tracker shows only Introduced/In Committee, not passed or signed into law. The displayed GovInfo bill text would amend 18 U.S.C. 2422 to include engaging in, soliciting, patronizing, or paying for a commercial sex act with a minor and related defenses.
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The Office of the Law Revision Counsel page for 18 U.S.C. 2422 says the text contains laws in effect on July 21, 2026. Subsection (b) still covers persuading, inducing, enticing, or coercing a minor to engage in prostitution or criminal sexual activity, and the amendment notes list the latest amendment as Pub. L. 109-248 in 2006, with no 2026 amendment adding H.R.9071's commercial-sex-act buyer language.
Assessments
Nehls sponsored directly relevant federal legislation, H.R.9071, to expand 18 U.S.C. 2422 to cover soliciting, patronizing, or paying for commercial sex acts with minors. But the bill was only introduced and referred to the House Judiciary Committee, and current U.S. Code evidence does not show the promised statutory change enacted. H.R.9047 was another related attempt but also did not pass. This is a serious legislative effort without delivery of the promised outcome.
Nehls sponsored directly relevant federal legislation, including H.R.9047 in 2024 and H.R.9071 introduced May 29, 2026, aimed at amending title 18 to address minors and commercial sex acts. But the relevant bills are shown only as introduced and referred to the House Judiciary Committee, with no enacted statutory change as of June 1, 2026. Because the latest effort is still pending in the current Congress, the promise is not delivered but remains unresolved; the legislative effort warrants the effort badge.