House passes Ratcliffe bill to keep children safe by closing sentencing loopholes for repeat sex offenders

The House approved legislation on Monday that U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-TX) introduced to address loopholes in federal laws that sex offenders can use to skirt tougher punishments when also committing violent crimes.

The Strengthening Children’s Safety Act would clarify that violent crime convictions at the state level could be used to enhance penalties handed down under federal law when sex offenders commit a crime by failing to register or report information. Prior military sex offenses could also be considered when considering appropriate sentences.

“There are few things more shocking to the conscience and sickening to the soul than crimes against children — the most innocent, most vulnerable members of our society,” Ratcliffe said. “As a former federal prosecutor, I will always remember the child exploitation images I was forced to view from an evidentiary standpoint as the most disturbing and difficult part of my job.”

Speaking in support of the bill, U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said crimes against children are prevented by closely monitoring sex offenders and by imposing recidivist enhancements on those with prior criminal records.

“First, the bill closes a loophole in the statute that criminalizes a sex offender’s failure to register,” Goodlatte said. “An enhanced penalty applies to offenders who, while in non-compliant status, commit a federal crime of violence, a crime of violence under the D.C. code, a military code crime of violence, a tribal crime of violence, or a crime of violence in any territory or possession of the United States.”

“This is logical,” Goodlatte said, “since offenders who have been convicted of both crimes against children and crimes of violence are deserving of more severe punishment.”

U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), who supported Ratcliffe’s bill and five additional child safety measures approved by the House on Monday, said child predators must be brought to justice.

“More can and must be done to fight these terrible crimes,” said Issa, a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee. “These bills go after sex offenders, help fight child pornography, give new tools to combat human trafficking and punish the perpetrators of these heinous acts. I applaud the bills’ passage and look forward to continuing the fight to protect our children.”