Congressional Record, Volume 161 Issue 12 (Monday, January 26, 2015)

[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 12 (Monday, January 26, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H548-H549]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

ENHANCING SERVICES FOR RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS VICTIMS OF YOUTH
TRAFFICKING ACT OF 2015

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 468) to amend the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to increase
knowledge concerning, and improve services for, runaway and homeless
youth who are victims of trafficking.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 468

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Enhancing Services for
Runaway and Homeless Victims of Youth Trafficking Act of
2015''.

SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS.

The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5701 et seq.)
is amended--
(1) in section 343(b)(5)--
(A) in subparagraph (A) by inserting ``, severe forms of
trafficking in persons (as defined in section 103(9) of the
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C.
7102(9))), and sex trafficking (as defined in section 103(10)
of such Act (22 U.S.C. 7102(10)))'' before the semicolon at
the end;
(B) in subparagraph (B) by inserting ``, severe forms of
trafficking in persons (as defined in section 103(9) of the
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C.
7102(9))), and sex trafficking (as defined in section 103(10)
of such Act (22 U.S.C. 7102(10)))'' after ``assault''; and
(C) in subparagraph (C) by inserting ``, including such
youth who are victims of trafficking (as defined in section
103(15) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22
U.S.C. 7102(15)))'' before the semicolon at the end; and
(2) in section 351(a) by striking ``or sexual
exploitation'' and inserting ``sexual exploitation, severe
forms of trafficking in persons (as defined in section 103(9)
of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C.
7102(9))), or sex trafficking (as defined in section 103(10)
of such Act (22 U.S.C. 7102(10)))''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Walberg) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.

General Leave

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 468.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Enhancing
Services for Runaway and Homeless Victims of Youth Trafficking Act, and
I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, human trafficking is not just a concern in foreign
countries. It is happening right here in the United States and many
times in our own backyards.
In Michigan, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
has referred more than 13,000 CyberTipline reports of suspected child
sexual exploitation to law enforcement.
Last Congress, I hosted a series of human trafficking forums in my
district which brought together county prosecutors, sheriffs, the State
police, and members of the southern Michigan Task Force on Human
Trafficking to discuss how our community is dealing with these heinous
crimes and hear feedback on what additional actions Congress can take
to help local law enforcement combat trafficking.
One of the things I heard at my district roundtables is the need for
improved resources for victims' advocacy and support, especially for
youth victims and at-risk youth. Federal and State officials, law
enforcement, the courts, all of us have a moral obligation to eradicate
trafficking and support its victims.
It will take close coordination between all stakeholders to achieve
the dual goals of ending the human trafficking epidemic and assisting
the victims. That is why I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 468, the
Enhancing Services for Runaway and Homeless Victims of Youth
Trafficking Act.
This legislation will help better serve our most vulnerable youth who
are victims of extreme trafficking. This legislation amends the Runaway
and Homeless Youth Act to use existing grant resources to train staff
on the effects of human trafficking in runaway and homeless youth
victims and for developing statewide strategies to reach such youth.
It also allows the Secretary to utilize the existing Street Outreach
Program to provide street-based services for runaway and homeless youth
who are victims of trafficking.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, Congressman Joe
Heck, for his leadership on this bill, as well as the Education and the
Workforce Committee chairman, Mr. Kline, and the ranking member, Mr.
Scott, for their work on moving this legislation forward. Our Nation's
runaway and homeless youth deserve access to services that will help
them escape a life of crime, abuse, and neglect.
Passing this simple fix to the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act will
help ensure that those suffering from the trauma of these deplorable
crimes

[[Page H549]]

will have access to the care and support they need.
I urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 468, and I reserve the balance
of my time.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 468, the Enhancing Services
for Runaway and Homeless Victims of Youth Trafficking Act of 2015.
I am honored to join my colleagues, the gentleman from Nevada (Mr.
Heck), the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg), and the chairman of
the full committee, Mr. Kline, and appreciate their leadership on this
important issue.
Our bill makes important changes in the Runaway and Homeless Youth
Act, so that victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking can get
more of the help that they need. We know that trafficking and youth
homelessness are often affecting the same populations.
Young people that have run away or are homeless are particularly
vulnerable to sexual exploitation and trafficking, and programs
targeted towards the runaway and homeless youth should be
simultaneously equipped to support victims of trafficking when there is
such an overlap.
Research consistently confirms the correlation between running away
and becoming exploited through prostitution. For example, according to
a 2006 FBI Uniform Crime Report, girls who run away from their homes,
group homes, foster homes, or treatment centers are at high risk of
being targeted by a trafficker or becoming exploited.
Street outreach programs were created to provide services to runaway
and homeless and street youth who have been subjected to or are at risk
of being subjected to sexual abuse. Every year, 25,000 of these young
people find shelter as a result of these programs.
The legislation being considered today ensures that street outreach
programs can rely on funding already available through the Runaway and
Homeless Youth Act. This allows the Department of Health and Human
Services to provide street-based services such as individual
assessments, treatment, counseling, or other shelter for runaway and
homeless youth who are also victims of trafficking.
Additionally, the bill authorizes States, organizations, and other
entities to use runaway and homeless youth research grants for staff
training to work with these young victims. Such additional training
will allow service providers to successfully address the behavioral and
emotional effects of the abuse and assault that these victims endure.
Our bill also enhances training programs so that staff will be able
to recognize and respond to the unique needs of trafficking victims.
This is a small but important change, one necessary to improve services
available.
Updating the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act with this legislation is
an important first step, but it is also important for Congress to
consider reauthorizing the entire act, which expired last year.

{time} 1630

In the 113th Congress, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a
bipartisan reauthorization bill that would provide other critical
support to runaway and homeless youth, including extending time for
safe and appropriate shelter, establishing performance standards for
assistance programs, strengthening data collection, and ensuring that
adequate resources for all runaway and homeless youths are available.
It is my hope that the House can continue the spirit of
bipartisanship and comprehensively update the Runaway and Homeless
Youth Act. Our Nation's most vulnerable youth need us to come together
and work together on their behalf.
Meanwhile, Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support
the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline), the chairman of the Education and
the Workforce Committee.
Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding the time
and for his consistent, continuous leadership on this issue.
Mr. Speaker, as a father and grandfather, I find it difficult to
imagine anything more terrifying than a loved one falling victim to
youth sex trafficking. Yet each year, hundreds of thousands of children
and families are forced to live with the pain and suffering that stems
from this deplorable crime.
Mr. Speaker, let me be clear. This crime is taking place right here
in our own country. It is impacting our communities, our families, and
our children. We face a national crisis, and it demands a national
response.
Fortunately, there are heroic efforts underway to fight this heinous
crime, care for the victims, and support their families.
The dedicated staff at the National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children, or NCMEC, are on the front lines every day identifying
victims, assisting law enforcement in the recovery of missing children,
and returning children to their loved ones.
NCMEC is also partnering with schools and employers to enhance
support for victims and their families. Parents with children in school
are probably familiar with Lifetouch photography. Through its SmileSafe
Kids initiative, Lifetouch is making it easier for parents and NCMEC to
alert law enforcement of a missing child in order to accelerate the
search and rescue.
NCMEC and others are always finding new ways to help, and so should
we, and that is why we are here today. We have learned too often
victims fall through the cracks of States' child welfare systems. Those
who may be runaway or homeless youth do not have access to the full
range of services they need.
And believe it or not, due to a flaw in the law, there are times when
children are treated as criminals--as criminals, Mr. Speaker--rather
than the victims of a violent crime.
Congress has an opportunity to address these challenges and
strengthen our support for victims of youth sex trafficking. I want to
thank my Republican and Democratic colleagues for working with us on
this important effort, including Mr. Walberg, as I mentioned earlier;
the ranking member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, Mr.
Scott; and Representatives Joe Heck, Karen Bass, and Joyce Beatty.
I am pleased that in the early days of the 114th Congress, we are
taking action to address youth sex trafficking. It reflects both the
seriousness of this crime and our commitment to the victims and their
families.
I urge my colleagues to support these important legislative
proposals.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for his
statements in support of this legislation, I thank Mr. Heck for
sponsoring it, and Mr. Kline as the leader on this committee.
This is a privilege of service in this body, when we can come
together in a bipartisan fashion to do what is right for our country;
but, in this case, to do what is right for our defenseless young
people, many of whom have been caught into a web that offers nothing
but pain and misfortune for the future. To take a stand on this issue,
to stand for opportunity, to push back against the dark clouds of crime
that prey on young people is something that we can stand together on.
I think we have said significant words in support of this
legislation. Now it is time to get to work, and the best way to do
that, Mr. Speaker, as you and I both know, is to pass it.
So I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 468, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 468.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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