[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 158 (Monday, December 10, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S7698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              HUMAN RIGHTS

  Mr. COONS. Mr. President, today is Human Rights Day, and I wanted to 
simply add my voice to the many others who have spoken about the 
important work the United States can do to continue our leadership 
around the world as a country that holds itself accountable and leads 
others toward being accountable for a world in which human rights have 
meaning and substance. There are two things we can do between now and 
the end of this calendar year that will make a significant contribution 
to human rights and to the U.S. global leadership.
  First, the House of Representatives can take up and pass VAWA, the 
Violence Against Women Act reauthorization bill passed months ago by 
this Chamber. It is a strong, broad, sensible reauthorization bill that 
I think well deserves consideration and passage by the other Chamber.
  Second, TVPA, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, needs to be 
reauthorized. I was proud last month to join with Senator Portman and 
the Presiding Officer, Senator Blumenthal, as the three of us jointly 
founded the Caucus to End Human Trafficking. Slavery exists in the 
world today. In this country and around the world, there are victims of 
human trafficking whose voices demand to be heard. By reauthorizing 
TVPA, this Chamber and this country can make a meaningful contribution 
toward ending trafficking of persons in the United States and around 
the world.
  I simply wanted to add today, Human Rights Day, those two simple 
calls for action so this Congress and this country can continue our 
global leadership.
  The House of Representatives needs to take up and pass VAWA and the 
Senate needs to pass the TVPA reauthorization. Together let us continue 
to make history in America's leadership on human rights.
  With that, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Udall of New Mexico). The Senator from 
Maine.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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