(Washington, DC) --Congresswoman Cathy McMorris (WA-05) voted today in favor of H.R. 3132 the Children’s Safety Act of 2005. McMorris is a co-sponsor of this legislation to enforce stricter penalties for registered sex offenders.

“Our community has experienced first hand the tragedy of having our children fall prey to sexual predators,” said McMorris. “One of my top priorities is to keep our communities and nation safe. This legislation provides a comprehensive plan that will increase the safety and security of children in their homes, yards, and neighborhoods. Parents must have opportunity to know of potential dangers in their community and we must impose tougher registration requirements for child sex offenders.”

Nearly 100,000 sex offenders remain unregistered, and are moving freely about the country. Most recent high-profile abductions crimes were all committed by previously-convicted sex offenders. According to the US Department of Justice, sex offenders are four times more likely to be rearrested and child molesters on average only serve 43 percent of their sentence.

“In the Washington State Legislature I supported legislation to impose stricter sex offender penalties and I am pleased to be able to do the same at the federal level. With the passage of this bill, mothers and fathers can feel more secure knowing that their children are safer.”

In order to strengthen the security of families across the country, the Children’s Safety Act:

• Expands coverage of sex offenders to include any felony sex offense and misdemeanor sex offenses
• Requires sex offenders to register prior to release from prison
• Increases the duration of required periodic registration
• Authorizes the creation of up to ten demonstration programs for electronic monitoring of sex offenders
• Ensures mandatory-minimum punishment for violent and sexual crimes against children