WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) in introducing the Enhancing Necessary Federal Offenses Regarding Child Exploitation (ENFORCE) Act.
The ENFORCE Act would subject child predators who use generative artificial intelligence (AI) to create or distribute Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) to the same laws and penalties as criminals who create or distribute other forms of CSAM.
“Child predators are resorting to more advanced technology than ever to escape justice, so Congress needs to close every loophole possible to help law enforcement fight this evil. I’m proud to help introduce the ENFORCE Act, which would allow officials to better target the sick animals creating deepfake content of America’s kids,” said Kennedy.
“No one who abuses children in any way, shape, or form should be let off the hook due to outdated laws. This legislation would update current law to hold those who use AI to create and distribute CSAM and obscenity accountable, ensuring our justice system keeps up with the growing threats of a rapidly advancing online world,” said Cornyn.
“The ENFORCE Act bolsters protections for our nation’s children against online sexual exploitation and strengthens enforcement measures against such vile crimes. AI-generated child sexual abuse material haunts young people across our country. This legislation is critically needed to combat the scourge of online child sexual abuse and to provide children and families with tools to safeguard themselves from these harms,” said Blumenthal.
“Online predators victimize children through AI-generated imagery. Such filth is not protected speech, and I am proud to cosponsor the ENFORCE Act to empower federal prosecutors to defend our kids against AI exploitation and hold predators fully accountable. This bipartisan effort strengthens the TAKE IT DOWN Act signed by President Trump to protect America’s children from explicit deepfakes,” said Lee.
While current law, like the Kennedy-backed TAKE IT DOWN Act, protects children from the threat of AI-generated CSAM, the ENFORCE Act would update outdated definitions and enhance federal enforcement policies, ensuring that law enforcement can prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law.
Raven, Thorn, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), the National Children's Alliance, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), Rights 4 Girls and the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) all support the bill.
Full text of the ENFORCE Act is available here.
