Congressional Record, Volume 151 Issue 160 (Wednesday, December 14, 2005)

[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 160 (Wednesday, December 14, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H11570-H11579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2005

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 972) to authorize appropriations for fiscal years
2006 and 2007 for the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, and
for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:

H.R. 972

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the
``Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of
2005''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.

TITLE I--COMBATTING INTERNATIONAL TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

Sec. 101. Prevention of trafficking in conjunction with post-conflict
and humanitarian emergency assistance.
Sec. 102. Protection of victims of trafficking in persons.
Sec. 103. Enhancing prosecutions of trafficking in persons offenses.
Sec. 104. Enhancing United States efforts to combat trafficking in
persons.
Sec. 105. Additional activities to monitor and combat forced labor and
child labor.

TITLE II--COMBATTING DOMESTIC TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

Sec. 201. Prevention of domestic trafficking in persons.
Sec. 202. Establishment of grant program to develop, expand, and
strengthen assistance programs for certain persons
subject to trafficking.
Sec. 203. Protection of juvenile victims of trafficking in persons.
Sec. 204. Enhancing State and local efforts to combat trafficking in
persons.
Sec. 205. Report to Congress.
Sec. 206. Senior Policy Operating Group.
Sec. 207. Definitions.

TITLE III--AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS

Sec. 301. Authorizations of appropriations.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) The United States has demonstrated international
leadership in combating human trafficking and slavery through
the enactment of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of
2000 (division A of Public Law 106-386; 22 U.S.C. 7101 et
seq.) and the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization
Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-193).
(2) The United States Government currently estimates that
600,000 to 800,000 individuals are trafficked across
international borders each year and exploited through forced
labor and commercial sex exploitation. An estimated 80
percent of such individuals are women and girls.
(3) Since the enactment of the Trafficking Victims
Protection Act of 2000, United States efforts to combat
trafficking in persons have focused primarily on the
international trafficking in persons, including the
trafficking of foreign citizens into the United States.
(4) Trafficking in persons also occurs within the borders
of a country, including the United States.
(5) No known studies exist that quantify the problem of
trafficking in children for the purpose of commercial sexual
exploitation in the United States. According to a report
issued by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania in
2001, as many as 300,000 children in the United States are at
risk for commercial sexual exploitation, including
trafficking, at any given time.
(6) Runaway and homeless children in the United States are
highly susceptible to being domestically trafficked for
commercial sexual exploitation. According to the National
Runaway Switchboard, every day in the United States, between
1,300,000 and 2,800,000 runaway and homeless youth live on
the streets. One out of every seven children will run away
from home before the age of 18.
(7) Following armed conflicts and during humanitarian
emergencies, indigenous populations face increased security
challenges and vulnerabilities which result in myriad forms
of violence, including trafficking for sexual and labor
exploitation. Foreign policy and foreign aid professionals
increasingly recognize the increased activity of human
traffickers in post-conflict settings and during humanitarian
emergencies.
(8) There is a need to protect populations in post-conflict
settings and humanitarian emergencies from being trafficked
for sexual or labor exploitation. The efforts of aid agencies
to address the protection needs of, among others, internally
displaced persons and refugees are useful in this regard.
Nonetheless, there is a need for further integrated programs
and strategies at the United States Agency for International
Development, the Department of State, and the Department of
Defense to combat human trafficking, including through
protection and prevention methodologies, in post-conflict
environments and during humanitarian emergencies.
(9) International and human rights organizations have
documented a correlation between international deployments of
military and civilian peacekeepers and aid workers and a
resulting increase in the number of women and girls
trafficked into prostitution in post-conflict regions.
(10) The involvement of employees and contractors of the
United States Government and members of the Armed Forces in
trafficking in persons, facilitating the trafficking in
persons, or exploiting the victims of trafficking in persons
is inconsistent with United States laws and policies and
undermines the credibility and mission of United States
Government programs in post-conflict regions.
(11) Further measures are needed to ensure that United
States Government personnel and contractors are held
accountable for involvement with acts of trafficking in
persons, including by expanding United States criminal
jurisdiction to all United States Government contractors
abroad.

TITLE I--COMBATTING INTERNATIONAL TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

SEC. 101. PREVENTION OF TRAFFICKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH POST-
CONFLICT AND HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.

(a) Amendment.--Section 106 of the Trafficking Victims
Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7104) is amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
``(h) Prevention of Trafficking in Conjunction With Post-
Conflict and Humanitarian Emergency Assistance.--The United
States Agency for International Development, the Department
of State, and the Department of Defense shall incorporate
anti-trafficking and protection measures for vulnerable
populations, particularly women and children, into their
post-conflict and humanitarian emergency assistance and
program activities.''.
(b) Study and Report.--
(1) Study.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary of State and the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense,
shall conduct a study regarding the threat and practice of
trafficking in persons generated by post-conflict and
humanitarian emergencies in foreign countries.
(B) Factors.--In carrying out the study, the Secretary of
State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development shall examine--
(i) the vulnerabilities to human trafficking of commonly
affected populations, particularly women and children,
generated by post-conflict and humanitarian emergencies;
(ii) the various forms of trafficking in persons, both
internal and trans-border, including both sexual and labor
exploitation;
(iii) a collection of best practices implemented to date to
combat human trafficking in such areas; and
(iv) proposed recommendations to better combat trafficking
in persons in conjunction with post-conflict reconstruction
and humanitarian emergencies assistance.
(2) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development, with the concurrence of the Secretary of
Defense, shall transmit to the Committee on International
Relations and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations and
the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate a report that
contains the results of the study conducted pursuant to
paragraph (1).

SEC. 102. PROTECTION OF VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS.

(a) Access to Information.--Section 107(c)(2) of the
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C.
7105(c)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
sentence: ``To the extent practicable, victims of severe
forms of trafficking shall have access to information about
federally funded or administered anti-trafficking programs
that provide services to victims of severe forms of
trafficking.''.
(b) Establishment of Pilot Program for Residential
Rehabilitative Facilities for Victims of Trafficking.--
(1) Study.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the United
States Agency for International Development shall carry out a
study to identify best practices for the rehabilitation of
victims of trafficking in group residential facilities in
foreign countries.
(B) Factors.--In carrying out the study under subparagraph
(A), the Administrator shall--
(i) investigate factors relating to the rehabilitation of
victims of trafficking in group residential facilities, such
as the appropriate size of such facilities, services to be
provided, length of stay, and cost; and
(ii) give consideration to ensure the safety and security
of victims of trafficking, provide alternative sources of
income for such victims, assess and provide for the
educational needs of such victims, including literacy, and
assess the psychological needs of

[[Page H11571]]

such victims and provide professional counseling, as
appropriate.
(2) Pilot program.--Upon completion of the study carried
out pursuant to paragraph (1), the Administrator of the
United States Agency for International Development shall
establish and carry out a pilot program to establish
residential treatment facilities in foreign countries for
victims of trafficking based upon the best practices
identified in the study.
(3) Purposes.--The purposes of the pilot program
established pursuant to paragraph (2) are to--
(A) provide benefits and services to victims of
trafficking, including shelter, psychological counseling, and
assistance in developing independent living skills;
(B) assess the benefits of providing residential treatment
facilities for victims of trafficking, as well as the most
efficient and cost-effective means of providing such
facilities; and
(C) assess the need for and feasibility of establishing
additional residential treatment facilities for victims of
trafficking.
(4) Selection of sites.--The Administrator of the United
States Agency for International Development shall select 2
sites at which to operate the pilot program established
pursuant to paragraph (2).
(5) Form of assistance.--In order to carry out the
responsibilities of this subsection, the Administrator of the
United States Agency for International Development shall
enter into contracts with, or make grants to, organizations
with relevant expertise in the delivery of services to
victims of trafficking.
(6) Report.--Not later than one year after the date on
which the first pilot program is established pursuant to
paragraph (2), the Administrator of the United States Agency
for International Development shall submit to the Committee
on International Relations of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report
on the implementation of this subsection.
(7) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to the Administrator of the United States
Agency for International Development to carry out this
subsection $2,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 and
2007.

SEC. 103. ENHANCING PROSECUTIONS OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
OFFENSES.

(a) Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Over Certain Trafficking
in Persons Offenses.--
(1) In general.--Part II of title 18, United States Code,
is amended by inserting after chapter 212 the following new
chapter:

``CHAPTER 212A--EXTRATERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OVER CERTAIN TRAFFICKING
IN PERSONS OFFENSES

``Sec.
``3271. Trafficking in persons offenses committed by persons employed
by or accompanying the Federal Government outside the
United States.
``3272. Definitions.

``Sec. 3271. Trafficking in persons offenses committed by
persons employed by or accompanying the Federal Government
outside the United States

``(a) Whoever, while employed by or accompanying the
Federal Government outside the United States, engages in
conduct outside the United States that would constitute an
offense under chapter 77 or 117 of this title if the conduct
had been engaged in within the United States or within the
special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United
States shall be punished as provided for that offense.
``(b) No prosecution may be commenced against a person
under this section if a foreign government, in accordance
with jurisdiction recognized by the United States, has
prosecuted or is prosecuting such person for the conduct
constituting such offense, except upon the approval of the
Attorney General or the Deputy Attorney General (or a person
acting in either such capacity), which function of approval
may not be delegated.

``Sec. 3272. Definitions

``As used in this chapter:
``(1) The term `employed by the Federal Government outside
the United States' means--
``(A) employed as a civilian employee of the Federal
Government, as a Federal contractor (including a
subcontractor at any tier), or as an employee of a Federal
contractor (including a subcontractor at any tier);
``(B) present or residing outside the United States in
connection with such employment; and
``(C) not a national of or ordinarily resident in the host
nation.
``(2) The term `accompanying the Federal Government outside
the United States' means--
``(A) a dependant of--
``(i) a civilian employee of the Federal Government; or
``(ii) a Federal contractor (including a subcontractor at
any tier) or an employee of a Federal contractor (including a
subcontractor at any tier);
``(B) residing with such civilian employee, contractor, or
contractor employee outside the United States; and
``(C) not a national of or ordinarily resident in the host
nation.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of chapters at the
beginning of such part is amended by inserting after the item
relating to chapter 212 the following new item:

``212A. Extraterritorial jurisdiction over certain trafficking in
persons offenses............................................3271''.

(b) Laundering of Monetary Instruments.--Section
1956(c)(7)(B) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in clause (v), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) in clause (vi), by adding ``or'' at the end; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new clause:
``(vii) trafficking in persons, selling or buying of
children, sexual exploitation of children, or transporting,
recruiting or harboring a person, including a child, for
commercial sex acts;''.
(c) Definition of Racketeering Activity.--Section
1961(1)(B) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``1581-1591'' and inserting ``1581-1592''.
(d) Civil and Criminal Forfeitures.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 117 of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
section:

``Sec. 2428. Forfeitures

``(a) In General.--The court, in imposing sentence on any
person convicted of a violation of this chapter, shall order,
in addition to any other sentence imposed and irrespective of
any provision of State law, that such person shall forfeit to
the United States--
``(1) such person's interest in any property, real or
personal, that was used or intended to be used to commit or
to facilitate the commission of such violation; and
``(2) any property, real or personal, constituting or
derived from any proceeds that such person obtained, directly
or indirectly, as a result of such violation.
``(b) Property Subject to Forfeiture.--
``(1) In general.--The following shall be subject to
forfeiture to the United States and no property right shall
exist in them:
``(A) Any property, real or personal, used or intended to
be used to commit or to facilitate the commission of any
violation of this chapter.
``(B) Any property, real or personal, that constitutes or
is derived from proceeds traceable to any violation of this
chapter.
``(2) Applicability of chapter 46.--The provisions of
chapter 46 of this title relating to civil forfeitures shall
apply to any seizure or civil forfeiture under this
subsection.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the
following new item:

``2428. Forfeitures.''.

SEC. 104. ENHANCING UNITED STATES EFFORTS TO COMBAT
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS.

(a) Appointment to Interagency Task Force to Monitor and
Combat Trafficking.--Section 105(b) of the Trafficking
Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7103(b)) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``the Director of Central Intelligence''
and inserting ``the Director of National Intelligence''; and
(2) by inserting ``, the Secretary of Defense, the
Secretary of Homeland Security'' after ``the Director of
National Intelligence'' (as added by paragraph (1)).
(b) Minimum Standards for the Elimination of Trafficking.--
(1) Amendments.--Section 108(b) of the Trafficking Victims
Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7106(b)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (3), by adding at the end before the
period the following: ``, measures to reduce the demand for
commercial sex acts and for participation in international
sex tourism by nationals of the country, measures to ensure
that its nationals who are deployed abroad as part of a
peacekeeping or other similar mission do not engage in or
facilitate severe forms of trafficking in persons or exploit
victims of such trafficking, and measures to prevent the use
of forced labor or child labor in violation of international
standards''; and
(B) in the first sentence of paragraph (7), by striking
``persons,'' and inserting ``persons, including nationals of
the country who are deployed abroad as part of a peacekeeping
or other similar mission who engage in or facilitate severe
forms of trafficking in persons or exploit victims of such
trafficking,''.
(2) Effective date.--The amendments made by subparagraphs
(A) and (B) of paragraph (1) take effect beginning two years
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(c) Research.--
(1) Amendments.--Section 112A of the Trafficking Victims
Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7109a) is amended--
(A) in the first sentence of the matter preceding paragraph
(1)--
(i) by striking ``The President'' and inserting ``(a) In
General.--The President''; and
(ii) by striking ``the Director of Central Intelligence''
and inserting ``the Director of National Intelligence'';
(B) in paragraph (3), by adding at the end before the
period the following: ``, particularly HIV/AIDS'';
(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(4) Subject to subsection (b), the interrelationship
between trafficking in persons and terrorism, including the
use of profits from trafficking in persons to finance
terrorism.
``(5) An effective mechanism for quantifying the number of
victims of trafficking on a national, regional, and
international basis.
``(6) The abduction and enslavement of children for use as
soldiers, including steps

[[Page H11572]]

taken to eliminate the abduction and enslavement of children
for use as soldiers and recommendations for such further
steps as may be necessary to rapidly end the abduction and
enslavement of children for use as soldiers.''; and
(D) by further adding at the end the following new
subsections:
``(b) Role of Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center.--The
research initiatives described in subsection (a)(4) shall be
carried out by the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center
(established pursuant to section 7202 of the Intelligence
Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-
458)).
``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) AIDS.--The term `AIDS' means the acquired immune
deficiency syndrome.
``(2) HIV.--The term `HIV' means the human immunodeficiency
virus, the pathogen that causes AIDS.
``(3) HIV/AIDS.--The term `HIV/AIDS' means, with respect to
an individual, an individual who is infected with HIV or
living with AIDS.''.
(2) Report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Human Smuggling and
Trafficking Center (established pursuant to section 7202 of
the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004
(Public Law 108-458)) shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report on the results of the
research initiatives carried out pursuant to section 112A(4)
of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (as added
by paragraph (1)(C) of this subsection).
(B) Definition.--In this paragraph, the term ``appropriate
congressional committees'' means--
(i) the Committee on International Relations and the
Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives;
and
(ii) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee
on the Judiciary of the Senate.
(d) Foreign Service Officer Training.--Section 708(a) of
the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4028(a)) is
amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting ``,
the Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat
Trafficking,'' after ``the International Religious Freedom
Act of 1998'';
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(3) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) instruction on international documents and United
States policy on trafficking in persons, including provisions
of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (division A
of Public Law 106-386; 22 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.) which may
affect the United States bilateral relationships.''.
(e) Prevention of Trafficking by Peacekeepers.--
(1) Inclusion in trafficking in persons report.--Section
110(b)(1) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000
(22 U.S.C. 7107(b)(1)) is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(D) information on the measures taken by the United
Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and, as
appropriate, other multilateral organizations in which the
United States participates, to prevent the involvement of the
organization's employees, contractor personnel, and
peacekeeping forces in trafficking in persons or the
exploitation of victims of trafficking.''.
(2) Report by secretary of state.--At least 15 days prior
to voting for a new or reauthorized peacekeeping mission
under the auspices of the United Nations, the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization, or any other multilateral organization
in which the United States participates (or in an emergency,
as far in advance as is practicable), the Secretary of State
shall submit to the Committee on International Relations of
the House of Representatives, the Committee on Foreign
Relations of the Senate, and any other appropriate
congressional committee a report that contains--
(A) a description of measures taken by the organization to
prevent the organization's employees, contractor personnel,
and peacekeeping forces serving in the peacekeeping mission
from trafficking in persons, exploiting victims of
trafficking, or committing acts of sexual exploitation or
abuse, and the measures in place to hold accountable any such
individuals who engage in any such acts while participating
in the peacekeeping mission; and
(B) an analysis of the effectiveness of each of the
measures referred to in subparagraph (A).

SEC. 105. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES TO MONITOR AND COMBAT FORCED
LABOR AND CHILD LABOR.

(a) Activities of the Department of State.--
(1) Finding.--Congress finds that in the report submitted
to Congress by the Secretary of State in June 2005 pursuant
to section 110(b) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act
of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7107(b)), the list of countries whose
governments do not comply with the minimum standards for the
elimination of trafficking and are not making significant
efforts to bring themselves into compliance was composed of a
large number of countries in which the trafficking involved
forced labor, including the trafficking of women into
domestic servitude.
(2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
the Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking
of the Department of State should intensify the focus of the
Office on forced labor in the countries described in
paragraph (1) and other countries in which forced labor
continues to be a serious human rights concern.
(b) Activities of the Department of Labor.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Labor, acting through the
head of the Bureau of International Labor Affairs of the
Department of Labor, shall carry out additional activities to
monitor and combat forced labor and child labor in foreign
countries as described in paragraph (2).
(2) Additional activities described.--The additional
activities referred to in paragraph (1) are--
(A) to monitor the use of forced labor and child labor in
violation of international standards;
(B) to provide information regarding trafficking in persons
for the purpose of forced labor to the Office to Monitor and
Combat Trafficking of the Department of State for inclusion
in trafficking in persons report required by section 110(b)
of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C.
7107(b));
(C) to develop and make available to the public a list of
goods from countries that the Bureau of International Labor
Affairs has reason to believe are produced by forced labor or
child labor in violation of international standards;
(D) to work with persons who are involved in the production
of goods on the list described in subparagraph (C) to create
a standard set of practices that will reduce the likelihood
that such persons will produce goods using the labor
described in such subparagraph; and
(E) to consult with other departments and agencies of the
United States Government to reduce forced and child labor
internationally and ensure that products made by forced labor
and child labor in violation of international standards are
not imported into the United States.

TITLE II--COMBATTING DOMESTIC TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

SEC. 201. PREVENTION OF DOMESTIC TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS.

(a) Program to Reduce Trafficking in Persons and Demand for
Commercial Sex Acts in the United States.--
(1) Comprehensive research and statistical review and
analysis of incidents of trafficking in persons and
commercial sex acts.--
(A) In general.--The Attorney General shall use available
data from State and local authorities as well as research
data to carry out a biennial comprehensive research and
statistical review and analysis of severe forms of
trafficking in persons, and a biennial comprehensive research
and statistical review and analysis of sex trafficking and
unlawful commercial sex acts in the United States, and shall
submit to Congress separate biennial reports on the findings.
(B) Contents.--The research and statistical review and
analysis under this paragraph shall consist of two separate
studies, utilizing the same statistical data where
appropriate, as follows:
(i) The first study shall address severe forms of
trafficking in persons in the United States and shall
include, but need not be limited to--

(I) the estimated number and demographic characteristics of
persons engaged in acts of severe forms of trafficking in
persons; and
(II) the number of investigations, arrests, prosecutions,
and incarcerations of persons engaged in acts of severe forms
of trafficking in persons by States and their political
subdivisions.

(ii) The second study shall address sex trafficking and
unlawful commercial sex acts in the United States and shall
include, but need not be limited to--

(I) the estimated number and demographic characteristics of
persons engaged in sex trafficking and commercial sex acts,
including purchasers of commercial sex acts;
(II) the estimated value in dollars of the commercial sex
economy, including the estimated average annual personal
income derived from acts of sex trafficking;
(III) the number of investigations, arrests, prosecutions,
and incarcerations of persons engaged in sex trafficking and
unlawful commercial sex acts, including purchasers of
commercial sex acts, by States and their political
subdivisions; and
(IV) a description of the differences in the enforcement of
laws relating to unlawful commercial sex acts across the
United States.

(2) Trafficking conference.--
(A) In general.--The Attorney General, in consultation and
cooperation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services,
shall conduct an annual conference in each of the fiscal
years 2006, 2007, and 2008, and thereafter conduct a biennial
conference, addressing severe forms of trafficking in persons
and commercial sex acts that occur, in whole or in part,
within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States. At
each such conference, the Attorney General, or his designee,
shall--
(i) announce and evaluate the findings contained in the
research and statistical reviews carried out under paragraph
(1);

[[Page H11573]]

(ii) disseminate best methods and practices for enforcement
of laws prohibiting acts of severe forms of trafficking in
persons and other laws related to acts of trafficking in
persons, including, but not limited to, best methods and
practices for training State and local law enforcement
personnel on the enforcement of such laws;
(iii) disseminate best methods and practices for training
State and local law enforcement personnel on the enforcement
of laws prohibiting sex trafficking and commercial sex acts,
including, but not limited to, best methods for investigating
and prosecuting exploiters and persons who solicit or
purchase an unlawful commercial sex act; and
(iv) disseminate best methods and practices for training
State and local law enforcement personnel on collaborating
with social service providers and relevant nongovernmental
organizations and establishing trust of persons subjected to
commercial sex acts or severe forms of trafficking in
persons.
(B) Participation.--Each annual conference conducted under
this paragraph shall involve the participation of persons
with expertise or professional responsibilities with
relevance to trafficking in persons, including, but not
limited to--
(i) Federal government officials, including law enforcement
and prosecutorial officials;
(ii) State and local government officials, including law
enforcement and prosecutorial officials;
(iii) persons who have been subjected to severe forms of
trafficking in persons or commercial sex acts;
(iv) medical personnel;
(v) social service providers and relevant nongovernmental
organizations; and
(vi) academic experts.
(C) Reports.--The Attorney General and the Secretary of
Health and Human Services shall prepare and post on the
respective Internet Web sites of the Department of Justice
and the Department of Health and Human Services reports on
the findings and best practices identified and disseminated
at the conference described in this paragraph.
(b) Termination of Certain Grants, Contracts, and
Cooperative Agreements.--Section 106(g) of the Trafficking
Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7104) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Cooperative Agreements.--'' and all that
follows through ``The President shall'' and inserting
``Cooperative Agreements.--The President shall'';
(2) by striking ``described in paragraph (2)''; and
(3) by striking paragraph (2).
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated--
(1) $2,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 and 2007
to carry out the activities described in subsection
(a)(1)(B)(i) and $2,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006
and 2007 to carry out the activities described in subsection
(a)(1)(B)(ii); and
(2) $1,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through
2007 to carry out the activities described in subsection
(a)(2).

SEC. 202. ESTABLISHMENT OF GRANT PROGRAM TO DEVELOP, EXPAND,
AND STRENGTHEN ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR CERTAIN
PERSONS SUBJECT TO TRAFFICKING.

(a) Grant Program.--The Secretary of Health and Human
Services may make grants to States, Indian tribes, units of
local government, and nonprofit, nongovernmental victims'
service organizations to establish, develop, expand, and
strengthen assistance programs for United States citizens or
aliens admitted for permanent residence who are the subject
of sex trafficking or severe forms of trafficking in persons
that occurs, in whole or in part, within the territorial
jurisdiction of the United States.
(b) Selection Factor.--In selecting among applicants for
grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give
priority to applicants with experience in the delivery of
services to persons who have been subjected to sexual abuse
or commercial sexual exploitation and to applicants who would
employ survivors of sexual abuse or commercial sexual
exploitation as a part of their proposed project.
(c) Limitation on Federal Share.--The Federal share of a
grant made under this section may not exceed 75 percent of
the total costs of the projects described in the application
submitted.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years
2006 and 2007 to carry out the activities described in this
section.

SEC. 203. PROTECTION OF JUVENILE VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING IN
PERSONS.

(a) Establishment of Pilot Program.--Not later than 180
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish and
carry out a pilot program to establish residential treatment
facilities in the United States for juveniles subjected to
trafficking.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the pilot program
established pursuant to subsection (a) are to--
(1) provide benefits and services to juveniles subjected to
trafficking, including shelter, psychological counseling, and
assistance in developing independent living skills;
(2) assess the benefits of providing residential treatment
facilities for juveniles subjected to trafficking, as well as
the most efficient and cost-effective means of providing such
facilities; and
(3) assess the need for and feasibility of establishing
additional residential treatment facilities for juveniles
subjected to trafficking.
(c) Selection of Sites.--The Secretary of Health and Human
Services shall select three sites at which to operate the
pilot program established pursuant to subsection (a).
(d) Form of Assistance.--In order to carry out the
responsibilities of this section, the Secretary of Health and
Human Services shall enter into contracts with, or make
grants to, organizations that--
(1) have relevant expertise in the delivery of services to
juveniles who have been subjected to sexual abuse or
commercial sexual exploitation; or
(2) have entered into partnerships with organizations that
have expertise as described in paragraph (1) for the purpose
of implementing the contracts or grants.
(e) Report.--Not later than one year after the date on
which the first pilot program is established pursuant to
subsection (a), the Secretary of Health and Human Services
shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation of
this section.
(f) Definition.--In this section, the term ``juvenile
subjected to trafficking'' means a United States citizen, or
alien admitted for permanent residence, who is the subject of
sex trafficking or severe forms of trafficking in persons
that occurs, in whole or in part, within the territorial
jurisdiction of the United States and who has not attained 18
years of age at the time the person is identified as having
been the subject of sex trafficking or severe forms of
trafficking in persons.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary of Health and Human
Services to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of the
fiscal years 2006 and 2007.

SEC. 204. ENHANCING STATE AND LOCAL EFFORTS TO COMBAT
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS.

(a) Establishment of Grant Program for Law Enforcement.--
(1) In general.--The Attorney General may make grants to
States and local law enforcement agencies to establish,
develop, expand, or strengthen programs--
(A) to investigate and prosecute acts of severe forms of
trafficking in persons, and related offenses, which involve
United States citizens, or aliens admitted for permanent
residence, and that occur, in whole or in part, within the
territorial jurisdiction of the United States;
(B) to investigate and prosecute persons who engage in the
purchase of commercial sex acts;
(C) to educate persons charged with, or convicted of,
purchasing or attempting to purchase commercial sex acts; and
(D) to educate and train law enforcement personnel in how
to establish trust of persons subjected to trafficking and
encourage cooperation with prosecution efforts.
(2) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``related
offenses'' includes violations of tax laws, transacting in
illegally derived proceeds, money laundering, racketeering,
and other violations of criminal laws committed in connection
with an act of sex trafficking or a severe form of
trafficking in persons.
(b) Multi-Disciplinary Approach Required.--Grants under
subsection (a) may be made only for programs in which the
State or local law enforcement agency works collaboratively
with social service providers and relevant nongovernmental
organizations, including organizations with experience in the
delivery of services to persons who are the subject of
trafficking in persons.
(c) Limitation on Federal Share.--The Federal share of a
grant made under this section may not exceed 75 percent of
the total costs of the projects described in the application
submitted.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to the Attorney General to carry out this
section $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 and
2007.

SEC. 205. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

Section 105(d)(7) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act
of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7103(d)(7)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (G) as subparagraph (H);
and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following new
subparagraph:
``(G) the amount, recipient, and purpose of each grant
under sections 202 and 204 of the Trafficking Victims
Protection Act of 2005; and''.

SEC. 206. SENIOR POLICY OPERATING GROUP.

Each Federal department or agency involved in grant
activities related to combatting trafficking or providing
services to persons subjected to trafficking inside the
United States shall, as the department or agency determines
appropriate, apprise the Senior Policy Operating Group
established by section 105(f) of the Victims of Trafficking
and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7103(f)),
under the procedures established by the Senior Policy
Operating Group, of such activities of the department or
agency to ensure that the activities are consistent with the
purposes of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000
(22 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.).

SEC. 207. DEFINITIONS.

In this title:
(1) Severe forms of trafficking in persons.--The term
``severe forms of trafficking

[[Page H11574]]

in persons'' has the meaning given the term in section 103(8)
of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C.
7102(8)).
(2) Sex trafficking.--The term ``sex trafficking'' has the
meaning given the term in section 103(9) of the Trafficking
Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102(9)).
(3) Commercial sex act.--The term ``commercial sex act''
has the meaning given the term in section 103(3) of the
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C.
7102(3)).

TITLE III--AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 301. AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS.

Section 113 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of
2000 (22 U.S.C. 7110) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``and $5,000,000'' and inserting
``$5,000,000'';
(B) by adding at the end before the period the following:
``, and $5,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 and
2007''; and
(C) by further adding at the end the following new
sentence: ``In addition, there are authorized to be
appropriated to the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking
for official reception and representation expenses $3,000 for
each of the fiscal years 2006 and 2007.'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``2004 and 2005'' and
inserting ``2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007'';
(3) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``2004 and 2005''
each place it appears and inserting ``2004, 2005, 2006, and
2007'';
(4) in subsection (d), by striking ``2004 and 2005'' each
place it appears and inserting ``2004, 2005, 2006, and
2007'';
(5) in subsection (e)--
(A) in paragraphs (1) and (2), by striking ``2003 through
2005'' and inserting ``2003 through 2007''; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``$300,000 for fiscal
year 2004 and $300,000 for fiscal year 2005'' and inserting
``$300,000 for each of the fiscal years 2004 through 2007'';
(6) in subsection (f), by striking ``2004 and 2005'' and
inserting ``2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007''; and
(7) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations to Director of the
FBI.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the Director
of the Federal Bureau of Investigation $15,000,000 for fiscal
year 2006, to remain available until expended, to investigate
severe forms of trafficking in persons.
``(i) Authorization of Appropriations to the Secretary of
Homeland Security.--There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Secretary of Homeland Security, $18,000,000 for each
of the fiscal years 2006 and 2007, to remain available until
expended, for investigations by the Bureau of Immigration and
Customs Enforcement of severe forms of trafficking in
persons.''

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, 5 years ago when Congress passed the Trafficking Victims
Protection Act of 2000, the United States assumed a leadership role in
combating the modern-day slavery known as human trafficking. As chief
sponsor of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, or TVPA, helped
transform the way governments and the private sector around the world
respond to human trafficking.
Enactment of H.R. 972, the reauthorization of the act, will ensure
that we continue to make progress and significant in-roads. Along with
many new initiatives, H.R. 972 also reauthorizes appropriations for
fiscal years 2006 and 2007 for antitrafficking programs of all relevant
Federal agencies.
It is worth noting, Mr. Speaker, that in the past 4 years twice as
many people in the United States have been prosecuted and convicted for
trafficking than in the prior 4-year period. I would note
parenthetically in my own State, Christopher Christie, the U.S.
Attorney, has gone after one group of traffickers after another,
Russian mobsters and those who have trafficked women in from Latin
America, and has gotten convictions while simultaneously liberating the
women from this scourge of modern-day slavery. Worldwide, more than
3,000 traffickers were convicted last year, a significant increase from
the previous year. These numbers reflect an increasing number of
countries adopting the laws necessary to combat trafficking and having
the political will to implement those laws.
I would also note that since 2001, more than 800 survivors of
trafficking in the United States have been found eligible for
assistance. More than 400 victims have received a T visa. Likewise, in
many countries, victims--mostly women and young girls--are now
receiving shelter, job training, and critical medical assistance.
Just a few weeks ago, my wife and I were in Lima, Peru, and went to a
trafficking shelter and saw young women who had been trafficked, who
were now getting life skills, but also getting the kind of medical and
psychological assistance to get their lives back together again.
Without a doubt, Mr. Speaker, much has been accomplished; and yet an
estimated 600,000 to 800,000 people are still being trafficked across
international borders each and every year. Possibly millions more are
trafficked internally within the borders of countries.
Upon enactment, title I of this bill would continue to fight against
international trafficking. H.R. 972 will put pressure on international
organizations to implement reforms needed to tackle the unconscionable
situation of peacekeepers or other international workers being
complicit in trafficking and sexual exploitation.
I would point out that on December 6, the OSCE adopted a decision
calling on States to prevent peacekeepers from being complicit in
trafficking or abusing in a sexual way the local population. We only
have to remember what happened in the Congo, where little 13- and 14-
year-old girls were raped by U.N. peacekeepers, and that is as recent
as just a few months ago. Thankfully, there is a zero tolerance policy
now; and, hopefully, it will have real meaning in the field.
Indeed, as confirmed in an October report by Refugees International,
peacekeeper reform has not been implemented at some U.N. missions in
places such as Haiti and in Liberia because of a deep-seated culture of
tolerating sexual exploitation.
H.R. 972 would also require the annual Trafficking in Persons report
to include information by groups like the U.N., the OSCE and NATO to
eliminate involvement in trafficking by any of the organizations'
personnel. We know we can recount one instance after another where in-
country when they are in a very authoritative position these personnel,
peacekeeping and non-peacekeeping alike, have exploited the local
population.
Under H.R. 972, the Secretary of State would also report to Congress
before voting for a peacekeeping mission about the measures taken to
prevent and, if necessary, punish trafficking or sexual exploitation by
peacekeepers.
To ensure that our own house is in order, the bill would create
criminal jurisdiction over Federal employees and contractors for
trafficking offenses committed overseas while on official business.
The bill will also focus the State Department, USAID and DOD on
improving trafficking prevention strategies for post-conflict
situations and humanitarian emergencies in which indigenous populations
face a heightened vulnerability to violence.
The legislation also would amend the criteria used in the annual TIP
report, or Trafficking in Persons report. The new criteria will include
consideration of governments' efforts to reduce demand for
prostitution, to prevent sex tourism, to ensure that peacekeeping
troops do not exploit trafficking victims, and to prevent forced labor
or child labor in violation of international standards.
Unlike transnational cases of trafficking, few governments are yet
willing to recognize internal trafficking within their own borders.
Even in the United States, Mr. Speaker, American citizens and nationals
who are trafficked domestically, often from one State to another, are
still viewed through the lens of juvenile delinquency, rather than
victims of crime, worthy of compassion and assistance.
Title II of H.R. 972 shines a new light on our own domestic
trafficking problem. Enactment of this bill will begin to shift the
paradigms so that these exploited girls and women will receive
assistance that they so desperately need.
I would like to thank my good friend and colleague, Deborah Pryce for
her good work on this provision. The gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Pryce)
was the author of legislation, the End Demand Act, and those provisions
are in this legislation, mostly intact, and I want to thank her for her
leadership in

[[Page H11575]]

doing that. It will make a difference for many American girls, mostly
the runaways who are then victimized by the traffickers; and I
certainly appreciate her work on this.
The bill's domestic provisions, Mr. Speaker, respond to a very real
need, and I will give my colleagues one example. On December 6, there
was an article in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that said that Seattle
has become a major hub on the child trafficking circuit. The article
states: ``Despite Seattle's extensive network of services for youths,
there is one 15-bed temporary shelter, it is the only place, other than
a jail cell, where children trapped in prostitution can find respite,
albeit brief. There is nothing in the city, or even in Washington
State, dedicated to helping young people permanently free themselves
from sex work.''
We find that is the case all over the country, including my own State
of New Jersey.
Having seen this void, again, this legislation responds. It also
provides money for a pilot program under the Department of Health and
Human Services to help these victims of trafficking.
The bill also, Mr. Speaker, enhances State and local efforts through
grants to encourage the enforcement of antitrafficking and
antiprostitution laws, re-education programs, modeled after what they
call ``john schools'' for people arrested for soliciting prostitution,
and training for law enforcement on how to work compassionately and
effectively with trafficked persons. All of the funded programs will
involve collaboration between law enforcement agencies and NGOs.
Again, I would just like to thank my colleagues on both sides of the
aisle for their work on this legislation: Chairman Sensenbrenner, who
marked this legislation up and wrote some very, very good provisions;
again, I mentioned Chairman Pryce who, again, was so effective in
getting the domestic language into this bill; Chairman Hunter, Chairman
Barton, Chairman Hyde, my good friend and colleague, Mr. Lantos, who is
ever a great friend and colleague when it comes to anything dealing
with human rights and, in particular, on human trafficking.

{time} 1730

I also want to thank our Republican leadership, particularly Majority
Leader Blunt and Mike Pence, who were original cosponsors, along with
almost 100 Members of the House, both sides of the aisle, that have
joined in to make this legislation possible. I also want to thank a
number of staff members who were instrumental in getting this bill to
the floor: Eleanor Nagy, Director of Policy for the Africa, Global
Human Rights and International Operations Subcommittee of the committee
I serve as chairman; Maureen Walsh, to my left, General Counsel of the
OSCE, or Helsinki Commission; Renee Austell; Jack Scharfen; and David
Abramowitz. Again, David and I worked with Joseph Reese, way back when
the first bill was enacted, and he did yeomen's work on writing
provisions and working with us. Dr. King as well for his great work.
Katy Crooks from the Judiciary Committee. And Cassie Bevin from the
Majority Leader's Office. There are just so many people who have
corroborated on this, and I want to thank them for their tremendous
work.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution,
and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, once again, this House is considering a measure that
will demonstrate leadership in the fight to end the heinous act of
trafficking in human beings, another manifestation of the dark side of
globalization that has locked thousands of women, children and men into
sexual and labor bondage.
This fight has not been without its victories. Over the past 5 years,
since our House first approved the Trafficking Victims Protection Act
of 2000, thousands of victims of modern-day slavery have been freed; a
number of countries have adopted new comprehensive anti-trafficking
legislation; and countries across the globe have woken up to the
ravages of this heinous crime.
The international community, Mr. Speaker, continues to ratchet up the
pressure on the traffickers, as more and more countries join the
International Protocol Against Trafficking negotiated at the United
Nations, with the United States ratifying this critical document
earlier this month after bipartisan urging by our International
Relations Committee.
While we can be proud of what we have accomplished so far on a
bipartisan basis, it remains the tragic truth that the problem of
trafficking in persons continues to be a human rights violation of
extraordinary magnitude. According to our Department of Justice,
600,000 to 800,000 human beings are sent across national borders every
year in a state of near or actual slavery, with 15,000 to 20,000 coming
to our own shores. Mr. Speaker, we must continue to keep the pressure
on our own government and all governments to address this severe human
rights violation.
I want to commend my distinguished colleague from New Jersey (Chris
Smith) for his extraordinary and persistent work on this most important
legislation. He is the hero of this bill and deserves unlimited praise.
The bill provides for increased focus on labor trafficking; it launches
an initiative in the critical area of child soldiers; establishes new
programs for Federal-State partnerships in the area of trafficking here
in our own country; and provides for robust funding of U.S. anti-
trafficking programs.
Mr. Speaker, let me just say a word about Federal-State cooperation
in the area of anti-trafficking legislation. Our 2000 Act has spurred
efforts by State and local governments to take responsibility for doing
their part to combat this scourge. For example, in California, the
State legislature recently adopted legislation supported by
Assemblywoman Sally Lieber and State Senator Sheila Kuehl, with key
support from San Francisco's outstanding District Attorney Kamala
Harris, that creates a new State felony for trafficking and provides
extensive protections to trafficking victims that are unique in the
United States.
Mr. Speaker, California's leadership on this has been critical. We
need to understand that those who are subject to trafficking are not
criminals but are victims subject to one of the most devastating
practices that leave them in a permanent state of shock. Some of them
will never be able to testify against their accusers, and we should not
expect them to do so.
I think we must recognize that, here in the United States, this
devastating human rights abuse can only be contained and then
eradicated with the help of local enforcement and social service
agencies which have the contacts in the community to identify
trafficking victims and criminal rings. Earlier this year, using many
local contacts in our community, San Francisco District Attorney Harris
was able to break up a trafficking ring with roots in the Bay area,
arresting 27 suspects and freeing over 100 innocent victims.
We need to empower more Kamala Harrises, and for this reason, I fully
support the provisions of our legislation that provides support to
State authorities to bring them into the alliance to eliminate
trafficking. It is the only way we will make real progress in combating
this scourge.
Mr. Speaker, I include at this point for the Record a more fulsome
explanation of the California law.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the actions of three California
leaders who have shown great vision, dedication and care in their
advocacy for victims of human trafficking by passing through the State
legislature and into law the California Trafficking Victims Protection
Act, also known as Assembly Bill 22. The sons and daughters of the
great State of California owe a great debt of gratitude to
Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, State Senator Sheila Kuehl, and San
Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris for shepherding through the
passage of AB22 earlier this year.
The bill provides an essential remedy to an ongoing human tragedy.
Human trafficking is effectively modern-day slavery. It is the forced
movement of innocent people against their will for the purpose of
extracting labor from them, usually in the most degrading of duties.
Victims of this crime against humanity are often coerced into becoming
workers in the sex trade or in sweatshops. Also, forced domestic and
agricultural servitude reflect areas where abuse is rampant.
The extent of the human trafficking epidemic is shocking. The State
Department estimates

[[Page H11576]]

that globally well over half a million people, most of them women, are
traded in such a manner as if they were mere property every year.
However, the problem is not solely a concern for those who conduct the
foreign policy of our Nation; there is a notable domestic component to
the issue as well. A recent report by the Human Rights Center at my
alma mater, the University of California at Berkeley, identified 57
different forced-labor operations in the State of California alone
during the period between 1998 and 2003, and its authors estimate that
at any given time there are more than 10,000 such victims in our
country working under the threat of violence.
This is the remarkable tragedy that the proponents of AB22 have
sought so rightfully to address. The most basic function of the bill is
to designate a special crime in the State penal code for the category
of human trafficking. Whereas the Federal Government passed the Victims
of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act in the year 2000, that bill
only allows for courts to punish traffickers once they have crossed
State lines.
While the existing State law used to bind prosecutors' hands by
forcing them to charge these disgusting crimes under various indirect
categories such as kidnapping or false imprisonment, the California
Trafficking Victims Protection Act creates a special State crime that
is punishable with a minimum of 3 years in jail and directs State law
enforcement to make human trafficking cases an organizational priority
along with combating drug trafficking and gang activities.
The act positions California to be a national leader on this issue.
Although in recent months a number of other States have passed laws
designed to close the human trafficking loophole in their penal codes
at the urging of the Department of Justice--including Minnesota,
Missouri, Arizona, and Texas--California has passed a far more
comprehensive bill that surpasses Federal guidelines by providing
victims of human trafficking with fuller protections under the law.
The California Trafficking Victims Protection Act establishes a
victim-caseworker privilege to coax survivors of this brutal crime to
seek justice. The bill allows victims to bring civil cases against
their captors, and it includes asset-forfeiture provisions to cut into
traffickers' profits and take some of the financial incentives out of
this black-market phenomenon. The bill also provides for a State-
appointed task force to coordinate efforts among nonprofits, law
enforcement, and victims' groups to fight human trafficking on a
grassroots level.
The bill's author, State Assemblywoman Sally Lieber of Mountain View,
CA, has been committed to fighting human trafficking ever since as a
city official she was involved in the breakup of a $6 million
trafficking ring that forced Chinese women to work at illicit massage
parlors in a form of indentured servitude. Assemblywoman Lieber
deserves special commendation for her admirable devotion to the fight
against human trafficking, as does State Senator Sheila Kuehl, who
helped push the bill through the State's upper legislative body.
Senator Kuehl played an especially important role in advancing the
provision for the antitrafficking task force, in my opinion one of the
most commendable aspects of the new law.
I would also like to thank San Francisco District Attorney Kamala D.
Harris for her crucial involvement in this cause as well. Under her
watch local law enforcement officials unearthed a human trafficking
network with roots in the Bay Area, in the city of San Francisco alone
arresting 27 suspects and rescuing over 100 victims, most of whom were
women who had made their way from South Korea to America in search of
opportunity and encountered captivity and enslavement instead.
Ms. Harris also spearheaded a public-relations campaign to raise the
profile of AB22, elucidating the need to revise our penal codes to
better confront traffickers and winning the endorsement of the
California District Attorneys Association for the bill. She properly
characterized the issue as a matter of ``fundamental women's rights as
well as human rights,'' issues that, as you know, are quite near and
dear to my heart, and which I believe are fundamental American values.
The legislation before us today holds out the hope of helping more
States to follow California's lead, and to enhance prosecutions against
trafficking rings. The legislation provides for a program to assist
States with their trafficking investigations and prosecutions,
providing critical Federal aid to assist the States efforts. We know
that the State law enforcement authorities have the contacts in the
community to ferret out these trafficking rings, as District Attorney
Harris did in the Bay Area. By bringing Federal resources and expertise
to bear, we can build on our specialized capacity to curb this scourge.
Mr. Speaker, most victims of human trafficking--like the exploited
South Korean women mentioned above to whom my heart goes out--come to
America in search of a dream and instead find misery and denigration
where hope had been before. As an immigrant to this great land myself,
I know the promise of the American dream, and I know this hope they
hold in their hearts.
Mr. Speaker, I commend District Attorney Harris, Assemblywoman
Lieber, and State Senator Kuehl for their heroic efforts to share that
dream with those among us who truly are the most in need. Our Nation is
better off thanks to them, and for that I extend to them the most
heartfelt of thanks. Now let us give them the support they deserve and
adopt H.R. 972.
Before reserving my time, Mr. Speaker, I want to pay tribute to David
Abramowitz of my staff who did extraordinary work on this subject, as
well as the staff people on the other side who my colleague (Mr. Smith)
has mentioned.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may
consume to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Pryce) and recognize her
great contribution.
Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Smith so much for
his leadership on this issue which is so important to both of us. It is
near and dear to our hearts. I want to express my gratitude and just
say how grateful I am to have worked with him and Chairman
Sensenbrenner on the coordination of these efforts to bring this most
important issue to the floor.
When I first learned about trafficking in human beings, I could not
believe that slavery or the slave trade still existed. I remember
asking, what do you mean women and children and young boys are being
bought and sold? This is the 21st century; how can this be happening?
And the answers that I got were very grim.
I found out from John Miller, the very esteemed Ambassador at the
State Department's Trafficking in Persons Office, that as many as
800,000 men, women and children are trafficked across international
borders every year, including the borders of the United States of
America.
The trafficking of people is a $9 billion industry. It has recently
tied illegal arms dealing as the second fastest growing criminal
activity in the world. The legislation before us today will increase
our Nation's ability to bring diplomatic pressure to bear on countries
who actively or tacitly engage in this heinous practice.
More than that, however, this legislation reflects our Nation's
commitment to abolishing the unlawful sexual exploitation of women and
children and boys occurring within our own borders. A Nation that
stands for the freedom and dignity of every human being cannot tolerate
the degradation and exploitation of the innocent occurring on its own
soil.
To eradicate sex trafficking in our Nation, we must focus on
eradicating the demand for sex trafficking, and I am pleased that this
bipartisan legislation that I authored with my good friend and
colleague from New York (Mrs. Maloney) has been incorporated into the
legislation before us today.
This is not a partisan issue, Mr. Speaker. There is no politics in
sex trade. And when this body is constantly portrayed as bitterly
partisan, it is a joy to provide one more example that this is not
always the case.
The End Demand for Sex Trafficking Act has received extraordinary
support from a diverse and passionate coalition of anti-trafficking and
human rights organizations. This measure will combat unlawful
trafficking in this country. For the first time, we are going to
address demand in our own country.
The provision in the final measure which will require U.S. embassies
around the world to report on and monitor countries' efforts to reduce
the demand for sex trafficking will be a key motivator overseas as
well, because the results of these investigations will be included in
the Trafficking in Persons report released by the State Department each
year for all the world to see and for our own government to use if
sanctions are required.
Mr. Speaker, as the President noted in his speech before the United
Nations General Assembly in 2003, there is a special evil in the abuse
and exploitation of the most innocent and vulnerable. Today, the House
will be able to take an important step toward eradicating this special,
special evil. I urge my colleagues to support this important
legislation, and thank, once again, the chairman.

[[Page H11577]]

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield such time as she may
consume to my good friend and distinguished colleague from New York
(Mrs. Maloney), who has been a champion on this issue from the day she
entered the House of Representatives.
(Mrs. MALONEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend her
remarks.)
Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Lantos for yielding
me this time, and really thank him for his consistent voice and work
for human rights across the globe and for his particular focus on
moving this legislation forward as well as Chairman Smith. And to my
dear friend and colleague Deborah Pryce, with whom I worked on the End
Demand for Sex Trafficking Act, which has been incorporated in this
bill, I thank her for her tenacious, determined persistence in working
towards bringing this to the floor. I thank you deeply.
This bill seeks to reduce the demand for sex trafficking by providing
critical funding to law enforcement to prosecute the demand side, the
purchasers of commercial sex acts, sex traffickers and exploiters. Sex
trafficking in people is modern-day slavery, and human trafficking is
the slavery of the 21st century.
I had no idea what a huge, huge problem it is: Over 600,000 to
800,000 people are trafficked across international borders each year,
mostly women and children, and potentially many more are trafficked
within our own borders. This is a $10 billion worldwide industry and
the second largest organized crime ring in history.
On the committee on which my colleague Deborah and I serve, she
serves as the chair and I as the ranking member, the Domestic and
International Monetary Policy Subcommittee, we had a series of hearings
earlier this year on tracing and trying to track the flow of funds that
are derived from trafficking.
For many years, I have been working with Equality Now and Attorney
General Eliot Spitzer to end sex tourism and shut down sex tour
companies based in New York and in my district. This legislation will
help stop sex tour operators, like Big Apple Oriental Tours, which is
based in my district, from advertising and taking sex tourists to
Thailand, the Philippines and other countries to exploit impoverished
young girls and boys. We need to protect all people who are being
manipulated and tricked into entering a life of prostitution, no matter
where they are from.

{time} 1745

The State Department has been issuing this excellent report,
Trafficking in Persons report, and it tracks what is happening
internationally, and it rates what other countries are doing; but we
cannot focus only on what other countries are doing without working
with law enforcement to address the problems here in the United States,
and that is what this bipartisan legislation will do. It will provide
critical assistance to the victims of sex trafficking, and it will also
go after the purchasers of commercial sex acts by providing law
enforcement with grants and with improved tools to fight sex
trafficking.
It is important that we protect the victims of the sex trade industry
and punish the predators and those who are doing this terrible thing.
Many, many people were part of this passage. I would like to thank
Lifetime TV, which has highlighted it in programs that they have put on
TV. They have also championed Ms. Pryce's bill and my bill and started
a letter-writing campaign in support of it. Oprah Winfrey advocated for
those who have no voice and started the Stop Child Sex Trafficking, a
letter-writing campaign in support of this bill.
I want to thank everyone who has worked on it. I thank the ranking
member, Mr. Lantos, for yielding me this time and for his extraordinary
leadership on this and so many other areas, as well as Mr. Bobby Scott
for all of his hard work.
Mr. Speaker, I spend a great deal of time working on women's issues.
The stories I have heard from American girls that have been trafficked
have been the most heart-wrenching, the most terrible stories I have
ever heard in my entire life. This bill will save lives. It is
important. It is will protect young girls and boys. It will go a long
way toward ending this terrible attack on human dignity; and I include
for the Record a list of organizations that have come out in support of
this bill.

The following groups/individuals have endorsed the end
demand for Sex Trafficking Act: AEGIS Foundation; Basic
Ministries, International, of Midland, TX; Breaking Free;
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women; Concerned Women for
America; Dignity House; End Child Prostitution, Child
Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes-
USA, Inc.); Equality Now; Faces of Children; Hudson
Institute; Institute on Religion and Democracy; Institute on
Religion and Public Policy; Leadership Council for Human
Rights; National Association of Evangelicals; Polaris
Project; Religious Freedom Coalition; Salvation Army; Shared
Hope International; Southern Baptist Convention; Standing
Against Global Exploitation (SAGE); Survivor Services and
Education NetWork; Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of
America; VERONICA'S Voice; World Vision; Professor Donna
Hughes; Oprah Winfrey; Lifetime Television.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder).
(Mr. SOUDER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, anyone who has been exposed to this is just
appalled. And one thing that surprises me is even as our own country
was lackadaisical on international prostitution for many years and
would not stand up on international conferences, and as we are
lackadaisical about looking at the horror of pornography worldwide, we
are then surprised that there is this huge demand for both young boys
and young girls in sexual trafficking. We need to understand what some
of the core issues are that are driving this.
In the subcommittee I chair, we got involved in a case where USAID
funded an NGO that was complicit in human trafficking. With one group
of funds to one NGO from the State Department, they were trying to
rescue minor girls from a brothel in India. Another NGO funded by our
tax dollars at USAID interfered in the rescue and ultimately
facilitated the potential retrafficking of the girls.
We need legislation like this so we can be the leader in stopping sex
trafficking and go directly after those agencies in the United States
that are complicit in this. Lastly, I want to thank our former
colleague, Linda Smith, for devoting so much of her personal time in
rescuing these young girls.
Human trafficking is--plain and simple--modern slavery. The victims
of human trafficking, by and large, are women and children in extreme
poverty. They suffer some of the worst crimes imaginable.
This bill makes the necessary provisions for our country to continue
as the global leader in fighting human trafficking, and to do what is
right at every level of government in order to effectively combat the
scourge of human trafficking.
This bill effectively ensures that various agencies in our government
are united in their efforts and armed with appropriate tools to combat
trafficking in humans. I absolutely do not want to see another
situation, like that being investigated by the Subcommittee I chair,
where a USAID-funded NGO is complicit in human trafficking. This
situation involved the efforts of one NGO, with funds from the State
Department, trying to rescue minor girls from a brothel in India, and
another NGO, funded by USAID, interfering in the rescue, and ultimately
facilitating the potential retrafficking of the girls.
It is critical that the United States and its agencies and programs
are united in efforts to combat human trafficking. This bill is
essential for such efforts.
Among the key provisions of this bill that strengthen our efforts
against the crime of human trafficking, while also providing necessary
help for the victims:
First, it strengthens our efforts to combat sexual exploitation and
trafficking crimes committed by ``peacekeepers'' in war-torn countries;
It directs the U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID, to
establish a pilot program to help victims of trafficking by providing
residential treatment facilities;
It authorizes new programs aimed at reducing demand for commercial
sex while also strengthening law enforcement programs aimed at
investigating and prosecuting trafficking in persons;
Includes compassionate, essential, provisions to assist victims of
human trafficking--those women and children who have seen the worst
side of humanity--to put their lives back together.

[[Page H11578]]

This bill strengthens existing human trafficking laws by reaching out
to help the victims with various forms of emotional and material
support programs, such as providing guardians ad litem for alien
children who are suspected victims of human trafficking, and providing
victims with access to legal counsel.
H.R. 972 gives our law enforcement agencies the tools necessary to
fight against this terrible crime of human trafficking, domestically
and internationally.
The bill also incorporates child protection and trafficking
prevention activities into USAID, State, and DOD post-conflict, and
post natural-disaster relief programs, increasing anti-trafficking
efforts in situations where so many women and children are exploited.
I commend my colleague, Mr. Chris Smith, for his leadership on this
important issue. He has done more than anyone I know to bring attention
to this terrible crime and its victims, and he has been the driving
force behind efforts to combat human trafficking.
Mr. Speaker, thank you for bringing this vital legislation to the
Floor today. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 972, the Trafficking
Victims Protection Reauthorization Act.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Scott) who has been a leader on this issue in the
Judiciary Committee.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
California for yielding me this time.
I rise in support of this bill. The trafficking of persons as work
slaves, sex slaves, or other exploitive and illicit purposes is a
modern slave trade that occurs all too often around the world,
including in the United States. Through the Trafficking Victims
Protection Act of 2000, we have begun a concerted effort around the
world to address this terrible business of trafficking in persons,
internationally as well as domestically. We must continue that effort
by reauthorizing that law by passing H.R. 972.
At the Judiciary markup of this bill, we added a section to implement
the essential provisions of H.R. 2012, the End Demand for Sex
Trafficking Act of 2005, which is designed to more effectively get at
the issue of domestic trafficking and commercial sex acts in this
country as part of the overall effort to address domestic trafficking
in persons.
For over a year, I have been working with a bipartisan and
politically diverse group of Members of the House and Senate, along
with nongovernmental organizations, committed individuals, and others
to get at an aspect of trafficking in persons in this country that is
just as pernicious as the trafficking in persons anywhere in the world,
and that is the brutal pimp system of prostitution of women and young
girls. The horrific nature and the appalling magnitude of this scourge
is evident by the following information:
It is estimated that the number of women and children trapped in
prostitution in the United States ranges between hundreds of thousands
to well over a million; the average age of entry into prostitution in
the United States is estimated to be about 16 years old; nearly 85
percent of the women and girls in prostitution in the United States
have a pimp to whom all of the proceeds of their activities go. Among
these women and girls are some as young as 11. Most are physically
abused or sexually assaulted; most are controlled by drugs and are
isolated, confined, and restrained. Many have weapons used against them
and have death threats against them and their families.
Pimping is a lucrative criminal practice. Oakland, California, had a
study just a few years ago where they identified 218 minors ages 11 to
15 being prostituted by 155 pimps. They found that the average revenue
was about $200,000 a year for each pimp.
When we try to get cooperation of other countries to go after sex
trafficking in their country, some point to our toleration of this
brutal system of prostitution in this country to suggest that we have
no moral authority to criticize them. H.R. 972 with the provisions of
the End Demand Act strikes a crushing blow against this brutal system
of domestic trafficking in this country; and it is done in a way that
is most effective, by funding local law enforcement rather than
creating new Federal crimes that will require us to divert Federal
assets to this problem. We can fund local law enforcement where it is
most effective.
I would like to thank Ms. Pryce of Ohio and Mrs. Maloney of New York,
the chief sponsors of the End Demand Act; Chairman Sensenbrenner and
the subcommittee chairman, Mr. Coble; the ranking member, Mr. Conyers;
Chairman Hyde and the subcommittee chairman, Mr. Smith; Mr. Lantos, the
ranking member; and the subcommittee ranking member, Mr. Payne, and
their staffs. My staff person, Bobby Vassar, has been working on this
extremely hard over the course of at least a year. I thank them for
their hard work in putting together an End Demand bill and getting its
provisions in a bill in a form on which we can all agree. I urge my
colleagues to support the legislation.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Menendez) with mixed feeling because he has made enormous
contributions to this body over many years, and soon he will be leaving
us. So while I deeply regret we will not have in the coming years his
brilliance and insight and energy and dedication, I am pleased we will
see him across the campus in the other body.
(Mr. MENENDEZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my dear friend and
distinguished ranking member of the committee. It has been a privilege
to serve with him under his leadership and all of my colleagues on the
International Relations Committee. If I miss one thing, it will be
those Members I have had close associations with in this body, but I
continue to see in the days ahead.
I want to thank Congressman Smith for his leadership on this issue. I
am proud that someone from my home State of New Jersey has dedicated
himself to ending trafficking of people around the world. I want to
thank all of my other colleagues collectively because of their
leadership, countries around the world have been forced to change their
laws and improve enforcement.
All of us know the shocking statistics: somewhere between 600 and 800
people per year are forced across borders to become slaves and
prostitutes. If we include those who are trafficked within their own
countries, the numbers are even worse, somewhere between 2 and 4
million people. The vast majority of these are women and girls. So as
we fight to end trafficking, we are also fighting for the rights of
women and girls around the world.
It is easy to forget that each of those numbers represents a person,
a daughter, a sister, a mother, or a son who is suffering. It is easy
to forget that each of these people is part of a family that has been
torn apart by trafficking, and it is easy to forget that the number of
individuals trafficked hides the even greater number of families around
the world devastated by trafficking.
I am proud to be a cosponsor and strong supporter of this legislation
which reauthorizes programs designed to attack trafficking both here at
home and abroad. And in particular, the legislation addresses issues of
trafficking after natural disasters in postconflict areas.
As we learned after the devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean,
children are among the most vulnerable victims after any disaster and
conflict. If there are no adults to protect them and take care of them,
these children become particularly susceptible to disease, hunger, and
exploitation. In the chaotic environment following a disaster, when
normal protection mechanisms may be disrupted, unaccompanied children
are more exposed to traffickers; and that is why I strongly support the
new focus in this legislation on postconflict and postdisaster areas.
But this law is not only designed to stop trafficking. It is also
designed to take care of the victims of trafficking. I cannot imagine
the pain that someone goes through after being taken away from their
family, their country, and their life. I cannot imagine how it feels to
be forced into slavery or prostitution, but I do know that we can and
we must take action to help these victims as they once again return to
their lives.
The pilot programs authorized in this legislation are designed to
provide a safe haven and rehabilitation for the victims of trafficking.
We must ensure

[[Page H11579]]

their success so we can eventually expand them in future pieces of
legislation.
Finally, I want to focus our attention on the countries of our own
hemisphere. I am deeply concerned to see that five of the 14 tier 3
countries designated by the State Department are from Latin America or
the Caribbean. These are the countries that are designated as the worse
violators. They are not even complying with the minimum standards to
eliminate trafficking. Even worse, they are not making a significant
effort to be able to change the course of events. So I hope that this
legislation will have our own hemisphere focused on what they must do
to stop the hurting and trafficking of their own people.
Finally, I would remind my colleagues of article 5 of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, which states: ``No one shall be subjected
to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.''
This legislation takes those words and turns them into action. I urge
all Members to support this important legislation.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of our time to the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), a champion for human rights.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to first of all simply
commend and congratulate Chairman Hyde and Mr. Lantos on their
leadership of the International Relations Committee. I also commend the
gentleman from New Jersey for his introduction of this outstanding
piece of legislation.
I speak because I have a constituent in my community, a woman named
Oprah Winfrey, who almost every week sends me a letter talking about
this issue and urging that Congress must do as much as it can to bring
some help to those individuals throughout the world who are victimized;
and so I am strongly in favor of the passage of this bill. I want to
thank my constituent for keeping me abreast of the issue by at least
writing me once every week or two about this issue.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
I want to thank all of the Members who have participated in this
debate, and more importantly, note the work that they did to bring this
legislation to fruition.
Let me also point out that the modest sanctions that are in the
Trafficking Victims Protection Act have yielded significant new laws
throughout the world. In 2004 alone, 39 countries enacted new laws or
strengthened existing laws. We know when we put some carrots and
sticks, the sticks being the possibility of losing nonhumanitarian
foreign aid, security aid for example, and then when we place countries
in a ranking system that makes determinations concerning a country's
achievement in meeting ``minimum standards''--tier 1, tier 2, tier 3,
and tier 3 being the egregious violators with a new watch list, we get
their attention. Many countries have taken action and today we work in
a partnership to try to end trafficking.
After drugs and weapons, trafficking in human persons is the biggest
moneymaker for organized crime. The ILO suggested in a June study
approximately $32 billion a year goes into the coffers of those who are
committing such nefarious crimes against innocent individuals.
Finally, I would just say we have in this legislation a provision--a
study--that seeks to find whether or not there is a nexus between
terrorism and trafficking.

{time} 1800

With that kind of money flowing into trafficking enterprises, these
horrific enterprises, we tend to think that there probably is a link
with terrorism. We do not know. We want to find out.
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support and as an original
cosponsor of H.R. 972, the Trafficking Victims Protection
Reauthorization Act of 2005. As the Ranking Member of the Helsinki
Commission, let me commend Chairman Chris Smith for all of his hard
work on this issue both in the United States and around the world. I
also want to thank International Relations Committee Ranking Member Tom
Lantos for his strong support.
In 2000 Congress enacted the Trafficking Victims Protection Act
(TVRA), which for the first time provided definitive protection for
victims of human trafficking. Governments estimate that between 600,000
and 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every
year, yielding approximately $10 billion annually in illegal gains.
When considering internal trafficking within a country, this number
rises to an estimated 4 million persons.
Human trafficking destroys families and communities across the world.
Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery, which traps people
into forced labor or sexual slavery. Human traffickers violate the most
basic human rights of their victims. The international community must
oppose human trafficking in all its forms, and work together to
eradicate this scourge on humanity. I commend the work of the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for
addressing this issue in a comprehensive manner, by creating an Action
Plan to combat trafficking and appointing a Special Representative on
Combating Trafficking in Human Beings.
The United States also has a problem with human trafficking as a
destination country for many trafficking victims, as we heard in a
recent Helsinki Commission hearing on domestic trafficking. The State
Department believes that more than 14,500 people are trafficked into
the U.S. every year, either for forced labor or sexual exploitation and
slavery. Traffickers bring these victims--mainly women and children--
from all over the globe, including Southeast Asia and the Americas.
Traffickers often use criminal gangs to transport their human cargo. I
am pleased that the government has created special ``T'' visas for
victims of human trafficking who cooperate with law enforcement
officials.
In 2003 Congress adopted the Trafficking Victims Protection
Reauthorization Act, which created a new country ``watch list'' under
the supervision of the Department of State. This list has had a
measurable effect on the behavior of offending countries. The State
Department places the worst offenders on Tier 3 and makes these
countries subject to certain economic and trade sanctions by the U.S.
The number of Tier 3 countries has dropped from 27 in 2001 to 14 in
2005, so we have made measurable progress in raising awareness on this
issue, but more work needs to be done.
This legislation will require USAID and the Department of Defense to
include anti-trafficking policies in post-conflict and humanitarian
assistance programs. Governments must put in place special measures to
combat trafficking in countries that do not have a functioning and
effective central government. This bill would enhance U.S. efforts to
combat trafficking involving international peacekeepers.
The bill also authorizes $15 million annually for the Secretary of
Health and Human Services to carry out a pilot program to establish
U.S. residential treatment facilities for minors who are victims of
domestic trafficking. The bill also expands counseling programs for
victims of severe forms of trafficking. In total, the bill authorizes
$68 million annually to combat human trafficking and assist victims.
We must keep the pressure up on other countries that do little to
stop human trafficking, by implementing sanctions when needed and by
using all available diplomatic channels. United States courts need to
prosecute those individuals who commit these crimes on U.S. soil to the
full extent of the law, and to send a message that the United States
does not and will not tolerate human trafficking. I urge my colleagues
to support this bill.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Davis of Kentucky). The question is on
the motion offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) that
the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 972, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will
be postponed.

____________________