House votes to reauthorize bill making it easier to go after human traffickers

[RAY BOGAN]

The House of Representatives passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act in a landslide 414 – 11 vote. The bill was first signed into law in 2000, and with this reauthorization, the programs and funding associated with it will last until 2028. 

[Kathy Manning, D-N.C.]

“This bill saves lives and it is a bipartisan cause. It is not about politics. This is about doing the right thing, it is about our common humanity,” Rep. Kathy Manning, D-N.C., said. 

[RAY BOGAN]

This year’s reauthorization was named the Frederick Douglass Act after the renowned abolitionist and endorsed by his great-great grandson. 

The bill: 

• Seeks to promote situational awareness training for elementary and secondary school students through grants; 
• Requires the Secretary of State to provide information to Congress about countries that don’t comply with the law’s anti-human trafficking standards;
• Authorizes survivors’ employment, housing, and education programs; and
• Authorizes $175 million over five years for DOJ Housing Assistance Grants for victims of human trafficking; in addition to other measures. 

[Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J.]

“One of the things we find is that a woman, or a man, are liberated, where do they go? Where do they go?”  Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., said.  “They need help. A house, a home so that they are less likely, or less vulnerable to being trafficked.” 

[RAY BOGAN]

Smith has held multiple hearings on human trafficking in which victims share stories of being raped, beaten and having necessities like food either given or withheld as reward or punishment. That can ultimately lead to psychological damage and the belief that what happened to them is their fault. That’s why trafficking is described as modern day slavery. 

[Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J.]

“Does this sound like anything a young person dreams of for their future? Being stripped and robbed of your peace of mind and your body. Being robbed of your dignity, and your respect?” Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., said.  

[RAY BOGAN]

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act has made it far easier for prosecutors to successfully bring charges against perpetrators by creating new statutes and clarifying definitions of certain crimes. 

According a Georgetown Law article, a Bureau of Justice Statistics on Human Trafficking study found that from 2011 to 2019, there was a 79% increase in defendants charged with human trafficking in U.S. district courts, an 80% increase in convictions, and an 82% increase in perpetrators who were sentenced.

The most publicized case of all was Jeffrey Epsteins. He faced charges under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act and when his victims entered into a $290 million settlement with JP Morgan Chase. According to NPR, the victims successfully argued that the bank was negligent when handling his finances and quote: “knowingly benefited from participating in a sex-trafficking venture … [and] obstructed enforcement of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.” 

One of the few who voted against it was Congressman Chip Roy. He said human trafficking is an abomination and must be rooted out. He also explained his no vote. 

[Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas]

“I cannot support a measure that irresponsibly reauthorizes these programs without actually paying for them. Indeed, the Congressional Budget Office estimates this bill could cost over $1.1 billion over the next decade,” Rep. Roy said. “I am committed to the fight to end human trafficking and will continue to support responsible solutions to do so.” 

[RAY BOGAN]

The bill still needs to pass the Senate and be signed by the President to be made official.