The Child Protection Compact Act Bill Tracker
Follow the CPCA as it makes its way through different phases of consideration by the House and the Senate.
House of Representatives
I. Introduction
The bill is assigned a number and labeled with the sponsor’s name.
IJM’s goal is to get other members to sign on as co-sponsors.
The bill is assigned a number and labeled with the sponsor’s name.
IJM’s goal is to get other members to sign on as co-sponsors.
II. Referral
There are several stages in this process.
STAGE 1: REFERRAL TO COMMITTEE: The bill is referred to the appropriate committee – in the case of the Child Protection Compact Act, the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Bills are usually referred to a subcommittee at this point, though some may be held by the Committee chairman for consideration at the full Committee level.
During this stage, there may be public hearings held during which witnesses chosen by the chair and ranking minority member share their expertise on the issue.
STAGE 2: “MARK-UP” SESSION: If the chairman decides to proceed with referring the bill to a subcommittee, it is considered in a subcommittee “mark-up” session, where members can offer and vote on amendments to the bill. After subcommittee consideration, if the full Committee chooses to act on the bill, it may be “marked up” at full Committee without further hearings, or the full Committee can call further hearings if desired.
STAGE 3: BILL FINALIZED: After the full Committee votes to send the bill on for consideration by the full House, no more co-sponsors can be added. Under the Chairman’s direction, Committee staff write a report on the bill, explaining its contents, fiscal implications and any changes that have been made since it was introduced. Members of the committee who oppose the bill may write dissenting views, which are included in the same report.
IJM’s goal at this stage is to get the Committee to report the bill to the full House for a vote.
There are several stages in this process.
STAGE 1: REFERRAL TO COMMITTEE: The bill is referred to the appropriate committee – in the case of the Child Protection Compact Act, the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Bills are usually referred to a subcommittee at this point, though some may be held by the Committee chairman for consideration at the full Committee level.
During this stage, there may be public hearings held during which witnesses chosen by the chair and ranking minority member share their expertise on the issue.
STAGE 2: “MARK-UP” SESSION: If the chairman decides to proceed with referring the bill to a subcommittee, it is considered in a subcommittee “mark-up” session, where members can offer and vote on amendments to the bill. After subcommittee consideration, if the full Committee chooses to act on the bill, it may be “marked up” at full Committee without further hearings, or the full Committee can call further hearings if desired.
STAGE 3: BILL FINALIZED: After the full Committee votes to send the bill on for consideration by the full House, no more co-sponsors can be added. Under the Chairman’s direction, Committee staff write a report on the bill, explaining its contents, fiscal implications and any changes that have been made since it was introduced. Members of the committee who oppose the bill may write dissenting views, which are included in the same report.
IJM’s goal at this stage is to get the Committee to report the bill to the full House for a vote.
III. Consideration
Once the House leadership determines that there is time for the bill on the legislative calendar, it can be considered by the full House. At this point, members may debate the merit of the bill and propose additional amendments. (Since the bill will have followed a similar course in the Senate, the House and Senate versions of the bill may be different. Any differences must be resolved, usually by a conference committee, which sends the final version back to both bodies for a final vote.)
IJM’s goal at this stage is to get a majority of House members to vote in favor of the bill.
Once the House leadership determines that there is time for the bill on the legislative calendar, it can be considered by the full House. At this point, members may debate the merit of the bill and propose additional amendments. (Since the bill will have followed a similar course in the Senate, the House and Senate versions of the bill may be different. Any differences must be resolved, usually by a conference committee, which sends the final version back to both bodies for a final vote.)
IJM’s goal at this stage is to get a majority of House members to vote in favor of the bill.
IV. Signature
The President either signs the bill into law or vetoes it and sends it back to Congress.
IJM’s goal at this stage is to get the President to sign the bill into law.
The President either signs the bill into law or vetoes it and sends it back to Congress.
IJM’s goal at this stage is to get the President to sign the bill into law.
Senate
I. Introduction
The bill is assigned a number and labeled with the sponsor’s name.
IJM’s goal is to get other senators to sign on as co-sponsors.
The bill is assigned a number and labeled with the sponsor’s name.
IJM’s goal is to get other senators to sign on as co-sponsors.
II. Referral to and Consideration by Committee
There are several stages in this process.
STAGE 1: REFERRAL TO COMMITTEE: The bill is referred to the appropriate committee – in the case of the Child Protection Compact Act, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Bills are usually referred to a subcommittee at this point, though some may be held by the Committee chairman for consideration at the full Committee level.
During this stage, there may be public hearings held during which witnesses chosen by the chair and ranking minority member share their expertise on the issue.
STAGE 2: “MARK-UP” SESSION: If the chairman decides to proceed with referring the bill to a subcommittee, it is considered in a subcommittee “mark-up” session, where subcommittee members can offer and vote on amendments to the bill. After subcommittee consideration, if the full Committee chooses to act on the bill, it may be “marked up” at full Committee without further hearings, or the full Committee can call further hearings if desired.
STAGE 3: BILL FINALIZED: After the full Committee votes to send the bill on for consideration by the Senate, no more co-sponsors can be added. Under the Chairman’s direction, Committee staff write a report on the bill, explaining its contents, fiscal implications and any changes that have been made since it was introduced. Members of the committee who oppose the bill may write dissenting views, which are included in the same report.
IJM’s goal at this stage is to get the Committee to report the bill to the full Senate for a vote.
There are several stages in this process.
STAGE 1: REFERRAL TO COMMITTEE: The bill is referred to the appropriate committee – in the case of the Child Protection Compact Act, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Bills are usually referred to a subcommittee at this point, though some may be held by the Committee chairman for consideration at the full Committee level.
During this stage, there may be public hearings held during which witnesses chosen by the chair and ranking minority member share their expertise on the issue.
STAGE 2: “MARK-UP” SESSION: If the chairman decides to proceed with referring the bill to a subcommittee, it is considered in a subcommittee “mark-up” session, where subcommittee members can offer and vote on amendments to the bill. After subcommittee consideration, if the full Committee chooses to act on the bill, it may be “marked up” at full Committee without further hearings, or the full Committee can call further hearings if desired.
STAGE 3: BILL FINALIZED: After the full Committee votes to send the bill on for consideration by the Senate, no more co-sponsors can be added. Under the Chairman’s direction, Committee staff write a report on the bill, explaining its contents, fiscal implications and any changes that have been made since it was introduced. Members of the committee who oppose the bill may write dissenting views, which are included in the same report.
IJM’s goal at this stage is to get the Committee to report the bill to the full Senate for a vote.
III. Consideration
Once the Senate leadership determines that there is time for the bill on the legislative calendar, it can be considered by the full Senate. At this point, senators may debate the merit of the bill and propose additional amendments. (Since the bill will have followed a similar course in the House, the Senate and House versions of the bill may be different. Any differences must be resolved, usually by a conference committee, which sends the final version back to both bodies for a final vote.)
IJM’s goal at this stage is to get a majority of Senate members to vote in favor of the bill.
Once the Senate leadership determines that there is time for the bill on the legislative calendar, it can be considered by the full Senate. At this point, senators may debate the merit of the bill and propose additional amendments. (Since the bill will have followed a similar course in the House, the Senate and House versions of the bill may be different. Any differences must be resolved, usually by a conference committee, which sends the final version back to both bodies for a final vote.)
IJM’s goal at this stage is to get a majority of Senate members to vote in favor of the bill.
IV. Signature
The President either signs the bill into law or vetoes it and sends it back to Congress.
IJM’s goal at this stage is to get the President to sign the bill into law.
The President either signs the bill into law or vetoes it and sends it back to Congress.
IJM’s goal at this stage is to get the President to sign the bill into law.
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The Child Protection Compact Act
The Child Protection Compact Act, which was introduced in the House on June 5 by Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), will provide assistance to select “focus countries” through the U.S. Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP). These focus countries will receive support in building public justice systems that effectively investigate crimes against children and prosecute perpetrators in numbers sufficient to deter and eventually eliminate the crime. The legislation also authorizes increased assistance for care of survivors of trafficking. On March 25, 2010, Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Sam Brown back (R-KS) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced a similar bill in the Senate, called the Child Protection Compact Act (S.3184), legislation designed to increase U.S. support to eradicate child trafficking in countries that have the will to end the crime but lack resources. You can help IJM ensure that this vital legislation is passed by contacting your Member of Congress today to urge him/her to support the CPCA. Learn more about the Child Protection Compact Act with these resources:
Bill Summary: The Child Protection Compact Act IJM supporters Troy Groves, recording artist Sara Groves and author Susie Larson meet with their Representative’s legislative staff to express their support for the CPCA. 2. Declaration of Purpose: The purpose of the bill is to increase protection of vulnerable children in selected countries by providing assistance to address institutional weaknesses within governments. 3. Authorization of Assistance: The House bill authorizes assistance to be administered by the State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons for countries that meet certain eligibility criteria and enter into a Compact. The bill authorizes $50 million over three years for this purpose. The Senate bill differs by expressing a sense of Congress to appropriate $30 million over three years. 4. Selection Criteria: Countries are selected on the basis of demonstrated political will by the government to confront child trafficking, including by enactment and enforcement of law, cooperation with local and international NGOs, and treatment of victims in accordance with international standards. 5.Child Protection Compact: The compact is an agreement between the U.S. and the eligible country that contains specific objectives in a “national child protection strategy” and indicates benchmarks for measuring the achievement of them. 6.Congressional Notification/Reports: The executive branch shall consult with Congress prior to negotiating a compact with a country and shall notify Congress after entering into such compact. In addition, not later than 180 days after enactment and annually thereafter, the President shall submit a report on the achievement of objectives for each country for which a Compact has been negotiated. FAQ: The Child Protection Compact Act of 2009The Child Protection Compact Act (CPCA) gives the G/TIP office the authority to designate “focus countries” that need particular help in ending child trafficking and authorizes it to negotiate “Child Protection Compacts” with their governments on strategies to protect children from commercial sexual exploitation and to assist them in achieving specific, measurable goals during the bill’s three-year timeframe. International Justice Mission World Vision Polaris Project Equality Now The SOLD Project Amnesty International USA Sojourners Freedom House Not For Sale The figure reflects the aim of giving the G/TIP Office a new capacity for in-depth work. G/TIP has a current grant-making budget of approximately $18 million, which is spread out over 43 countries. In effect, this means that the G/TIP office must spend its funds broadly and shallowly. By providing G/TIP with an additional sum that is roughly equal to their current world-wide program, G/TIP will be able to go deep and finance significant investments to help specific focus countries actually eradicate child trafficking. The Senate version (S.3184) expresses a “sense of Congress” (which basically means a suggestion) to appropriate $30 million over three years. It is particularly challenging to pass any bills through Congress which require additional funding this year. This decrease in funding from the House version of the Bill still increases capacity at G/TIP and stands a better chance of passing in the Senate this year. Support for G/TIP, as legislated by the CPCA, also helps to pave the way for the Trafficking Victim’s Protection Reauthorization Act due next year, the legislation that originally established the G/TIP office. The G/TIP Office has a very strict process for vetting and funding proposals. In 2008, the G/TIP Office funded less than 20% of proposals submitted. The G/TIP office also follows strict protocols to ensure that funds are spent wisely and effectively. The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (HR 7311), which became law in December 2008, expands the G/TIP Office’s capacity for monitoring and evaluation to ensure that funds are appropriately spent. The Child Protection Compact Act would also require a plan to ensure appropriate fiscal accountability for the use of the funds provided. The CPCA is meant to add authority to G/TIP’s current program precisely so that it will not draw resources away from G/TIP’s current successful program of providing multiple grants to dozens of countries around the world. This bill adds to the G/TIP Office’s authority by allowing for additional investments in countries that have serious problems with child trafficking but that are willing to address them with vigor. The CPCA will require that recipient countries must not only have a serious trafficking problem, but a government with a demonstrated a commitment to undertaking meaningful steps to address the trafficking of children. 1. A documented high prevalence of trafficking of children within the country; and 2. Demonstrated political will and sustained commitment by the government to undertake meaningful measures to address the trafficking of children (as stipulated within section 5 of the CPCA). |
