U.S Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace introduced legislation on February 26 2026 that would allow the federal government to impose the death penalty on people convicted of raping or sexually assaulting children according to a press release from her office.
Titled the Death Penalty for Child Rapists Act the bill is designed to expand capital punishment eligibility to several federal statutes on sexual offenses against children.
The proposal would amend Title 18 of the United States Code to authorize the death penalty for aggravated sexual abuse of a child sexual abuse of a minor and abusive sexual contact involving a child.
It would also apply to rape of a child offenses prosecuted in the military justice system.
'We have zero mercy for child rapists. Those who prey on our most vulnerable deserve the harshest consequences we can deliver. No predator should be allowed to walk away from the most unthinkable crimes against children,' Mace said in a statement.
Mace framed the legislation as part of her broader effort to increase accountability for sexual abuse crimes.
She pointed to her calls for transparency surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein case and for consequences for anyone who conspired or collaborated with the convicted sex trafficker.
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