The Judiciary Committee unanimously advanced H.R.6998, the Renewed Hope Act, which would add dedicated Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) personnel and training to help identify victims depicted in child‑sex‑abuse material (CSAM).

Rep. Lee (FL), a sponsor, described the results of Operation Renewed Hope and similar HSI efforts that led to hundreds of identifications and dozens of rescues; she asked the committee to fund the creation and training of specialized investigative and forensic positions. Ranking Member Raskin said he supported the bill while urging safeguards to ensure those positions remain focused on victim identification and not reassigned to other missions.

An amendment requiring that specified funding go directly to HSI for the identified positions was adopted by the committee. The amended substitute was adopted and the bill was ordered reported favorably to the House.

Implementation note: The measure directs DHS/HSI to hire analysts and investigators, authorizes a victim identification training program for federal, state, local, and foreign partners, and includes privacy protections for victims’ information.

What happens next: The committee ordered the bill reported favorably; staff will prepare the report and members may submit views into the record.