[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 10, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1349-S1366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING ACT OF 2015

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will 
proceed to the consideration of S. 178, which the clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 178) to provide justice for the victims of 
     trafficking.

  Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, which had been 
reported from the Committee on the Judiciary, with an amendment to 
strike all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu thereof the 
following:

                                 S. 178

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Justice 
     for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

              TITLE I--JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING

Sec. 101. Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund.
Sec. 102. Clarifying the benefits and protections offered to domestic 
              victims of human trafficking.
Sec. 103. Victim-centered child human trafficking deterrence block 
              grant program.
Sec. 104. Direct services for victims of child pornography.
Sec. 105. Increasing compensation and restitution for trafficking 
              victims.
Sec. 106. Streamlining human trafficking investigations.
Sec. 107. Enhancing human trafficking reporting.
Sec. 108. Reducing demand for sex trafficking.
Sec. 109. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 110. Using existing task forces and components to target offenders 
              who exploit children.
Sec. 111. Targeting child predators.
Sec. 112. Monitoring all human traffickers as violent criminals.
Sec. 113. Crime victims' rights.
Sec. 114. Combat Human Trafficking Act.
Sec. 115. Survivors of Human Trafficking Empowerment Act.
Sec. 116. Bringing Missing Children Home Act.
Sec. 117. Grant accountability.

                 TITLE II--COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING

  Subtitle A--Enhancing Services for Runaway and Homeless Victims of 
                           Youth Trafficking

Sec. 201. Amendments to the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.

 Subtitle B--Improving the Response to Victims of Child Sex Trafficking

Sec. 211. Response to victims of child sex trafficking.

  Subtitle C--Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking

Sec. 221. Victim of trafficking defined.
Sec. 222. Interagency task force report on child trafficking primary 
              prevention.
Sec. 223. GAO Report on intervention.
Sec. 224. Provision of housing permitted to protect and assist in the 
              recovery of victims of trafficking.

                          TITLE III--HERO ACT

Sec. 301. Short title.
Sec. 302. HERO Act.

              TITLE I--JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING

     SEC. 101. DOMESTIC TRAFFICKING VICTIMS' FUND.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 201 of title 18, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 3014. Additional special assessment

       ``(a) In General.--Beginning on the date of enactment of 
     the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 and ending 
     on September, 30 2019, in addition to the assessment imposed 
     under section 3013, the court shall assess an amount of 
     $5,000 on any non-indigent person or entity convicted of an 
     offense under--
       ``(1) chapter 77 (relating to peonage, slavery, and 
     trafficking in persons);
       ``(2) chapter 109A (relating to sexual abuse);
       ``(3) chapter 110 (relating to sexual exploitation and 
     other abuse of children);
       ``(4) chapter 117 (relating to transportation for illegal 
     sexual activity and related crimes); or
       ``(5) section 274 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
     U.S.C. 1324) (relating to human smuggling), unless the person 
     induced, assisted, abetted, or aided only an individual who 
     at the time of such action was the alien's spouse, parent, 
     son, or daughter (and no other individual) to enter the 
     United States in violation of law.
       ``(b) Satisfaction of Other Court-Ordered Obligations.--An 
     assessment under subsection (a) shall not be payable until 
     the person subject to the assessment has satisfied all 
     outstanding court-ordered fines and orders of restitution 
     arising from the criminal convictions on which the special 
     assessment is based.
       ``(c) Establishment of Domestic Trafficking Victims' 
     Fund.--There is established in

[[Page S1350]]

     the Treasury of the United States a fund, to be known as the 
     `Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund' (referred to in this 
     section as the `Fund'), to be administered by the Attorney 
     General, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security and the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
       ``(d) Deposits.--Notwithstanding section 3302 of title 31, 
     or any other law regarding the crediting of money received 
     for the Government, there shall be deposited in the Fund an 
     amount equal to the amount of the assessments collected under 
     this section, which shall remain available until expended.
       ``(e) Use of Funds.--
       ``(1) In general.--From amounts in the Fund, in addition to 
     any other amounts available, and without further 
     appropriation, the Attorney General, in coordination with the 
     Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, for each of 
     fiscal years 2016 through 2020, use amounts available in the 
     Fund to award grants or enhance victims' programming under--
       ``(A) sections 202, 203, and 204 of the Trafficking Victims 
     Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 14044a, 
     14044b, and 14044c);
       ``(B) subsections (b)(2) and (f) of section 107 of the 
     Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7105); 
     and
       ``(C) section 214(b) of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 
     1990 (42 U.S.C. 13002(b)).
       ``(2) Grants.--Of the amounts in the Fund used under 
     paragraph (1), not less than $2,000,000, if such amounts are 
     available in the Fund during the relevant fiscal year, shall 
     be used for grants to provide services for child pornography 
     victims under section 214(b) of the Victims of Child Abuse 
     Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 13002(b)).
       ``(3) Limitations.--Amounts in the Fund, or otherwise 
     transferred from the Fund, shall be subject to the 
     limitations on the use or expending of amounts described in 
     sections 506 and 507 of division H of the Consolidated 
     Appropriations Act, 2014 (Public Law 113-76; 128 Stat. 409) 
     to the same extent as if amounts in the Fund were funds 
     appropriated under division H of such Act.
       ``(f) Transfers.--
       ``(1) In general.--Effective on the day after the date of 
     enactment of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 
     2015, on September 30 of each fiscal year, all unobligated 
     balances in the Fund shall be transferred to the Crime 
     Victims Fund established under section 1402 of the Victims of 
     Crime Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10601).
       ``(2) Availability.--Amounts transferred under paragraph 
     (1)--
       ``(A) shall be available for any authorized purpose of the 
     Crime Victims Fund; and
       ``(B) shall remain available until expended.
       ``(g) Collection Method.--The amount assessed under 
     subsection (a) shall, subject to subsection (b), be collected 
     in the manner that fines are collected in criminal cases.
       ``(h) Duration of Obligation.--Subject to section 3613(b), 
     the obligation to pay an assessment imposed on or after the 
     date of enactment of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking 
     Act of 2015 shall not cease until the assessment is paid in 
     full.''.
       (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of 
     sections for chapter 201 of title 18, United States Code, is 
     amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3013 
     the following:

``3014. Additional special assessment.''.

     SEC. 102. CLARIFYING THE BENEFITS AND PROTECTIONS OFFERED TO 
                   DOMESTIC VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

       Section 107(b)(1) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act 
     of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7105(b)(1)) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) and (G) as 
     subparagraphs (G) and (H), respectively;
       (2) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following:
       ``(F) No requirement of official certification for united 
     states citizens and lawful permanent residents.--Nothing in 
     this section may be construed to require United States 
     citizens or lawful permanent residents who are victims of 
     severe forms of trafficking to obtain an official 
     certification from the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
     in order to access any of the specialized services described 
     in this subsection or any other Federal benefits and 
     protections to which they are otherwise entitled.''; and
       (3) in subparagraph (H), as redesignated, by striking 
     ``subparagraph (F)'' and inserting ``subparagraph (G)''.

     SEC. 103. VICTIM-CENTERED CHILD HUMAN TRAFFICKING DETERRENCE 
                   BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Section 203 of the Trafficking Victims 
     Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 14044b) is 
     amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 203. VICTIM-CENTERED CHILD HUMAN TRAFFICKING 
                   DETERRENCE BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.

       ``(a) Grants Authorized.--The Attorney General may award 
     block grants to an eligible entity to develop, improve, or 
     expand domestic child human trafficking deterrence programs 
     that assist law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judicial 
     officials, and qualified victims' services organizations in 
     collaborating to rescue and restore the lives of victims, 
     while investigating and prosecuting offenses involving child 
     human trafficking.
       ``(b) Authorized Activities.--Grants awarded under 
     subsection (a) may be used for--
       ``(1) the establishment or enhancement of specialized 
     training programs for law enforcement officers, first 
     responders, health care officials, child welfare officials, 
     juvenile justice personnel, prosecutors, and judicial 
     personnel to--
       ``(A) identify victims and acts of child human trafficking;
       ``(B) address the unique needs of child victims of human 
     trafficking;
       ``(C) facilitate the rescue of child victims of human 
     trafficking;
       ``(D) investigate and prosecute acts of human trafficking, 
     including the soliciting, patronizing, or purchasing of 
     commercial sex acts from children, as well as training to 
     build cases against complex criminal networks involved in 
     child human trafficking; and
       ``(E) utilize, implement, and provide education on safe 
     harbor laws enacted by States, aimed at preventing the 
     criminalization and prosecution of child sex trafficking 
     victims for prostitution offenses, and other laws aimed at 
     the investigation and prosecution of child human trafficking;
       ``(2) the establishment or enhancement of dedicated anti-
     trafficking law enforcement units and task forces to 
     investigate child human trafficking offenses and to rescue 
     victims, including--
       ``(A) funding salaries, in whole or in part, for law 
     enforcement officers, including patrol officers, detectives, 
     and investigators, except that the percentage of the salary 
     of the law enforcement officer paid for by funds from a grant 
     awarded under this section shall not be more than the 
     percentage of the officer's time on duty that is dedicated to 
     working on cases involving child human trafficking;
       ``(B) investigation expenses for cases involving child 
     human trafficking, including--
       ``(i) wire taps;
       ``(ii) consultants with expertise specific to cases 
     involving child human trafficking;
       ``(iii) travel; and
       ``(iv) other technical assistance expenditures;
       ``(C) dedicated anti-trafficking prosecution units, 
     including the funding of salaries for State and local 
     prosecutors, including assisting in paying trial expenses for 
     prosecution of child human trafficking offenders, except that 
     the percentage of the total salary of a State or local 
     prosecutor that is paid using an award under this section 
     shall be not more than the percentage of the total number of 
     hours worked by the prosecutor that is spent working on cases 
     involving child human trafficking;
       ``(D) the establishment of child human trafficking victim 
     witness safety, assistance, and relocation programs that 
     encourage cooperation with law enforcement investigations of 
     crimes of child human trafficking by leveraging existing 
     resources and delivering child human trafficking victims' 
     services through coordination with--
       ``(i) child advocacy centers;
       ``(ii) social service agencies;
       ``(iii) State governmental health service agencies;
       ``(iv) housing agencies;
       ``(v) legal services agencies; and
       ``(vi) nongovernmental organizations and shelter service 
     providers with substantial experience in delivering wrap-
     around services to victims of child human trafficking; and
       ``(E) the establishment or enhancement of other necessary 
     victim assistance programs or personnel, such as victim or 
     child advocates, child-protective services, child forensic 
     interviews, or other necessary service providers; and
       ``(3) the establishment or enhancement of problem solving 
     court programs for trafficking victims that include--
       ``(A) mandatory and regular training requirements for 
     judicial officials involved in the administration or 
     operation of the court program described under this 
     paragraph;
       ``(B) continuing judicial supervision of victims of child 
     human trafficking, including case worker or child welfare 
     supervision in collaboration with judicial officers, who have 
     been identified by a law enforcement or judicial officer as a 
     potential victim of child human trafficking, regardless of 
     whether the victim has been charged with a crime related to 
     human trafficking;
       ``(C) the development of a specialized and individualized, 
     court-ordered treatment program for identified victims of 
     child human trafficking, including--
       ``(i) State-administered outpatient treatment;
       ``(ii) life skills training;
       ``(iii) housing placement;
       ``(iv) vocational training;
       ``(v) education;
       ``(vi) family support services; and
       ``(vii) job placement;
       ``(D) centralized case management involving the 
     consolidation of all of each child human trafficking victim's 
     cases and offenses, and the coordination of all trafficking 
     victim treatment programs and social services;
       ``(E) regular and mandatory court appearances by the victim 
     during the duration of the treatment program for purposes of 
     ensuring compliance and effectiveness;
       ``(F) the ultimate dismissal of relevant non-violent 
     criminal charges against the victim, where such victim 
     successfully complies with the terms of the court-ordered 
     treatment program; and
       ``(G) collaborative efforts with child advocacy centers, 
     child welfare agencies, shelters, and nongovernmental 
     organizations with substantial experience in delivering wrap-
     around services to victims of child human trafficking to 
     provide services to victims and encourage cooperation with 
     law enforcement.
       ``(c) Application.--
       ``(1) In general.--An eligible entity shall submit an 
     application to the Attorney General for a grant under this 
     section in such form and manner as the Attorney General may 
     require.
       ``(2) Required information.--An application submitted under 
     this subsection shall--
       ``(A) describe the activities for which assistance under 
     this section is sought;
       ``(B) include a detailed plan for the use of funds awarded 
     under the grant;
       ``(C) provide such additional information and assurances as 
     the Attorney General determines

[[Page S1351]]

     to be necessary to ensure compliance with the requirements of 
     this section; and
       ``(D) disclose--
       ``(i) any other grant funding from the Department of 
     Justice or from any other Federal department or agency for 
     purposes similar to those described in subsection (b) for 
     which the eligible entity has applied, and which application 
     is pending on the date of the submission of an application 
     under this section; and
       ``(ii) any other such grant funding that the eligible 
     entity has received during the 5-year period ending on the 
     date of the submission of an application under this section.
       ``(3) Preference.--In reviewing applications submitted in 
     accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2), the Attorney General 
     shall give preference to grant applications if--
       ``(A) the application includes a plan to use awarded funds 
     to engage in all activities described under paragraphs (1) 
     through (3) of subsection (b); or
       ``(B) the application includes a plan by the State or unit 
     of local government to continue funding of all activities 
     funded by the award after the expiration of the award.
       ``(d) Duration and Renewal of Award.--
       ``(1) In general.--A grant under this section shall expire 
     3 years after the date of award of the grant.
       ``(2) Renewal.--A grant under this section shall be 
     renewable not more than 2 times and for a period of not 
     greater than 2 years.
       ``(e) Evaluation.--The Attorney General shall--
       ``(1) enter into a contract with a nongovernmental 
     organization, including an academic or nonprofit 
     organization, that has experience with issues related to 
     child human trafficking and evaluation of grant programs to 
     conduct periodic evaluations of grants made under this 
     section to determine the impact and effectiveness of programs 
     funded with grants awarded under this section;
       ``(2) instruct the Inspector General of the Department of 
     Justice to review evaluations issued under paragraph (1) to 
     determine the methodological and statistical validity of the 
     evaluations; and
       ``(3) submit the results of any evaluation conducted 
     pursuant to paragraph (1) to--
       ``(A) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate; and
       ``(B) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
     Representatives.
       ``(f) Mandatory Exclusion.--An eligible entity awarded 
     funds under this section that is found to have used grant 
     funds for any unauthorized expenditure or otherwise 
     unallowable cost shall not be eligible for any grant funds 
     awarded under the block grant for 2 fiscal years following 
     the year in which the unauthorized expenditure or unallowable 
     cost is reported.
       ``(g) Compliance Requirement.--An eligible entity shall not 
     be eligible to receive a grant under this section if within 
     the 5 fiscal years before submitting an application for a 
     grant under this section, the grantee has been found to have 
     violated the terms or conditions of a Government grant 
     program by utilizing grant funds for unauthorized 
     expenditures or otherwise unallowable costs.
       ``(h) Administrative Cap.--The cost of administering the 
     grants authorized by this section shall not exceed 5 percent 
     of the total amount expended to carry out this section.
       ``(i) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the cost of a 
     program funded by a grant awarded under this section shall 
     be--
       ``(1) 70 percent in the first year;
       ``(2) 60 percent in the second year; and
       ``(3) 50 percent in the third year, and in all subsequent 
     years.
       ``(j) Authorization of Funding; Fully Offset.--For purposes 
     of carrying out this section, the Attorney General, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, 
     is authorized to award not more than $7,000,000 of the funds 
     available in the Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund, 
     established under section 3014 of title 18, United States 
     Code, for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020.
       ``(k) Definitions.--In this section--
       ``(1) the term `child' means a person under the age of 18;
       ``(2) the term `child advocacy center' means a center 
     created under subtitle A of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 
     1990 (42 U.S.C. 13001 et seq.);
       ``(3) the term `child human trafficking' means 1 or more 
     severe forms of trafficking in persons (as defined in section 
     103 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 
     U.S.C. 7102)) involving a victim who is a child; and
       ``(4) the term `eligible entity' means a State or unit of 
     local government that--
       ``(A) has significant criminal activity involving child 
     human trafficking;
       ``(B) has demonstrated cooperation between Federal, State, 
     local, and, where applicable, tribal law enforcement 
     agencies, prosecutors, and social service providers in 
     addressing child human trafficking;
       ``(C) has developed a workable, multi-disciplinary plan to 
     combat child human trafficking, including--
       ``(i) the establishment of a shelter for victims of child 
     human trafficking, through existing or new facilities;
       ``(ii) the provision of trauma-informed, gender-responsive 
     rehabilitative care to victims of child human trafficking;
       ``(iii) the provision of specialized training for law 
     enforcement officers and social service providers for all 
     forms of human trafficking, with a focus on domestic child 
     human trafficking;
       ``(iv) prevention, deterrence, and prosecution of offenses 
     involving child human trafficking, including soliciting, 
     patronizing, or purchasing human acts with children;
       ``(v) cooperation or referral agreements with organizations 
     providing outreach or other related services to runaway and 
     homeless youth;
       ``(vi) law enforcement protocols or procedures to screen 
     all individuals arrested for prostitution, whether adult or 
     child, for victimization by sex trafficking and by other 
     crimes, such as sexual assault and domestic violence; and
       ``(vii) cooperation or referral agreements with State child 
     welfare agencies and child advocacy centers; and
       ``(D) provides an assurance that, under the plan under 
     subparagraph (C), a victim of child human trafficking shall 
     not be required to collaborate with law enforcement officers 
     to have access to any shelter or services provided with a 
     grant under this section.
       ``(l) Grant Accountability; Specialized Victims' Service 
     Requirement.--No grant funds under this section may be 
     awarded or transferred to any entity unless such entity has 
     demonstrated substantial experience providing services to 
     victims of human trafficking or related populations (such as 
     runaway and homeless youth), or employs staff specialized in 
     the treatment of human trafficking victims.''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents in section 
     1(b) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization 
     Act of 2005 (22 U.S.C. 7101 note) is amended by striking the 
     item relating to section 203 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 203. Victim-centered child human trafficking deterrence block 
              grant program.''.

     SEC. 104. DIRECT SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.

       The Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 13001 et 
     seq.) is amended--
       (1) in section 212(5) (42 U.S.C. 13001a(5)), by inserting 
     ``, including human trafficking and the production of child 
     pornography'' before the semicolon at the end; and
       (2) in section 214 (42 U.S.C. 13002)--
       (A) by redesignating subsections (b), (c), and (d) as 
     subsections (c), (d), and (e), respectively; and
       (B) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
       ``(b) Direct Services for Victims of Child Pornography.--
     The Administrator, in coordination with the Director and with 
     the Director of the Office of Victims of Crime, may make 
     grants to develop and implement specialized programs to 
     identify and provide direct services to victims of child 
     pornography.''.

     SEC. 105. INCREASING COMPENSATION AND RESTITUTION FOR 
                   TRAFFICKING VICTIMS.

       (a) Amendments to Title 18.--Section 1594 of title 18, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) by striking ``that was used or'' and inserting ``that 
     was involved in, used, or''; and
       (ii) by inserting ``, and any property traceable to such 
     property'' after ``such violation''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, or any property 
     traceable to such property'' after ``such violation'';
       (2) in subsection (e)(1)(A)--
       (A) by striking ``used or'' and inserting ``involved in, 
     used, or''; and
       (B) by inserting ``, and any property traceable to such 
     property'' after ``any violation of this chapter'';
       (3) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and
       (4) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
       ``(f) Transfer of Forfeited Assets.--
       ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, the Attorney General shall transfer assets forfeited 
     pursuant to this section, or the proceeds derived from the 
     sale thereof, to satisfy victim restitution orders arising 
     from violations of this chapter.
       ``(2) Priority.--Transfers pursuant to paragraph (1) shall 
     have priority over any other claims to the assets or their 
     proceeds.
       ``(3) Use of nonforfeited assets.--Transfers pursuant to 
     paragraph (1) shall not reduce or otherwise mitigate the 
     obligation of a person convicted of a violation of this 
     chapter to satisfy the full amount of a restitution order 
     through the use of non-forfeited assets or to reimburse the 
     Attorney General for the value of assets or proceeds 
     transferred under this subsection through the use of 
     nonforfeited assets.''.
       (b) Amendment to Title 28.--Section 524(c)(1)(B) of title 
     28, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``chapter 77 
     of title 18,'' after ``criminal drug laws of the United 
     States or of''.
       (c) Amendments to Title 31.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 97 of title 31, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (A) by redesignating section 9703 (as added by section 
     638(b)(1) of the Treasury, Postal Service, and General 
     Government Appropriations Act, 1993 (Public Law 102-393; 106 
     Stat. 1779)) as section 9705; and
       (B) in section 9705(a), as redesignated--
       (i) in paragraph (1)--

       (I) in subparagraph (I)--

       (aa) by striking ``payment'' and inserting ``Payment''; and
       (bb) by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting a 
     period; and

       (II) in subparagraph (J), by striking ``payment'' and 
     inserting ``Payment''; and

       (ii) in paragraph (2)--

       (I) in subparagraph (B)--

       (aa) in clause (iii)--
       (AA) in subclause (I), by striking ``or'' and inserting 
     ``of''; and
       (BB) in subclause (III), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (bb) in clause (iv), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (cc) by inserting after clause (iv) the following:
       ``(v) United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement 
     with respect to a violation of chapter 77 of title 18 
     (relating to human trafficking);'';

[[Page S1352]]

       (II) in subparagraph (G), by adding ``and'' at the end; and
       (III) in subparagraph (H), by striking ``; and'' and 
     inserting a period.

       (2) Technical and conforming amendments.--
       (A) Cross references.--
       (i) Title 28.--Section 524(c) of title 28, United States 
     Code, is amended--

       (I) in paragraph (4)(C), by striking ``section 
     9703(g)(4)(A)(ii)'' and inserting ``section 9705(g)(4)(A)'';
       (II) in paragraph (10), by striking ``section 9703(p)'' and 
     inserting ``section 9705(o)''; and
       (III) in paragraph (11), by striking ``section 9703'' and 
     inserting ``section 9705''.

       (ii)  Title 31.--Title 31, United States Code, is amended--

       (I) in section 312(d), by striking ``section 9703'' and 
     inserting ``section 9705''; and
       (II) in section 5340(1), by striking ``section 9703(p)(1)'' 
     and inserting ``section 9705(o)''.

       (iii) Title 39.--Section 2003(e)(1) of title 39, United 
     States Code, is amended by striking ``section 9703(p)'' and 
     inserting ``section 9705(o)''.
       (B) Table of sections.--The table of sections for chapter 
     97 of title 31, United States Code, is amended to read as 
     follows:

``9701. Fees and charges for Government services and things of value.
``9702. Investment of trust funds.
``9703. Managerial accountability and flexibility.
``9704. Pilot projects for managerial accountability and flexibility.
``9705. Department of the Treasury Forfeiture Fund.''.

     SEC. 106. STREAMLINING HUMAN TRAFFICKING INVESTIGATIONS.

       Section 2516 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) in subparagraph (a), by inserting a comma after 
     ``weapons)'';
       (B) in subparagraph (c)--
       (i) by inserting ``section 1581 (peonage), section 1584 
     (involuntary servitude), section 1589 (forced labor), section 
     1590 (trafficking with respect to peonage, slavery, 
     involuntary servitude, or forced labor),'' before ``section 
     1591'';
       (ii) by inserting ``section 1592 (unlawful conduct with 
     respect to documents in furtherance of trafficking, peonage, 
     slavery, involuntary servitude, or forced labor),'' before 
     ``section 1751'';
       (iii) by inserting a comma after ``virus)'';
       (iv) by striking ``,, section'' and inserting a comma;
       (v) by striking ``or'' after ``misuse of passports),''; and
       (vi) by inserting ``or'' before ``section 555'';
       (C) in subparagraph (j), by striking ``pipeline,)'' and 
     inserting ``pipeline),''; and
       (D) in subparagraph (p), by striking ``documents, section 
     1028A (relating to aggravated identity theft))'' and 
     inserting ``documents), section 1028A (relating to aggravated 
     identity theft)''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``human trafficking, 
     child sexual exploitation, child pornography production,'' 
     after ``kidnapping''.

     SEC. 107. ENHANCING HUMAN TRAFFICKING REPORTING.

       Section 505 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and 
     Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3755) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(i) Part 1 Violent Crimes To Include Human Trafficking.--
     For purposes of this section, the term `part 1 violent 
     crimes' shall include severe forms of trafficking in persons 
     (as defined in section 103 of the Trafficking Victims 
     Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102)).''.

     SEC. 108. REDUCING DEMAND FOR SEX TRAFFICKING.

       (a) In General.--Section 1591 of title 18, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``or maintains'' and 
     inserting ``maintains, patronizes, or solicits'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``or obtained'' and 
     inserting ``obtained, patronized, or solicited''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or obtained'' and 
     inserting ``obtained, patronized, or solicited''; and
       (3) in subsection (c)--
       (A) by striking ``or maintained'' and inserting ``, 
     maintained, patronized, or solicited''; and
       (B) by striking ``knew that the person'' and inserting 
     ``knew, or recklessly disregarded the fact, that the 
     person''.
       (b) Definition Amended.--Section 103(10) of the Trafficking 
     Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102(10)) is 
     amended by striking ``or obtaining'' and inserting 
     ``obtaining, patronizing, or soliciting''.
       (c) Purpose.--The purpose of the amendments made by this 
     section is to clarify the range of conduct punished as sex 
     trafficking.

     SEC. 109. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) section 1591 of title 18, United States Code, defines a 
     sex trafficker as a person who ``knowingly. . .recruits, 
     entices, harbors, transports, provides, obtains, or maintains 
     by any means a person. . .knowing, or in reckless disregard 
     of the fact, that means of force, threats of force, fraud, 
     coercion. . .or any combination of such means will be used to 
     cause the person to engage in a commercial sex act, or that 
     the person has not attained the age of 18 years and will be 
     caused to engage in a commercial sex act'';
       (2) while use of the word ``obtains'' in section 1591, 
     United States Code, has been interpreted, prior to the date 
     of enactment of this Act, to encompass those who purchase 
     illicit sexual acts from trafficking victims, some confusion 
     persists;
       (3) in United States vs. Jungers, 702 F.3d 1066 (8th Cir. 
     2013), the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth 
     Circuit ruled that section 1591 of title 18, United States 
     Code, applied to persons who purchase illicit sexual acts 
     with trafficking victims after the United States District 
     Court for the District of South Dakota erroneously granted 
     motions to acquit these buyers in two separate cases; and
       (4) section 108 of this title amends section 1591 of title 
     18, United States Code, to add the words ``solicits or 
     patronizes'' to the sex trafficking statute making absolutely 
     clear for judges, juries, prosecutors, and law enforcement 
     officials that criminals who purchase sexual acts from human 
     trafficking victims may be arrested, prosecuted, and 
     convicted as sex trafficking offenders when this is merited 
     by the facts of a particular case.

     SEC. 110. USING EXISTING TASK FORCES AND COMPONENTS TO TARGET 
                   OFFENDERS WHO EXPLOIT CHILDREN.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Attorney General shall ensure that--
       (1) all task forces and working groups within the Innocence 
     Lost National Initiative engage in activities, programs, or 
     operations to increase the investigative capabilities of 
     State and local law enforcement officers in the detection, 
     investigation, and prosecution of persons who patronize, or 
     solicit children for sex; and
       (2) all components and task forces with jurisdiction to 
     detect, investigate, and prosecute cases of child labor 
     trafficking engage in activities, programs, or operations to 
     increase the capacity of such components to deter and punish 
     child labor trafficking.

     SEC. 111. TARGETING CHILD PREDATORS.

       (a) Clarifying That Child Pornography Producers Are Human 
     Traffickers.--Section 2423(f) of title 18, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``means (1) a'' and inserting the 
     following: ``means--
       ``(1) a'';
       (2) by striking ``United States; or (2) any'' and inserting 
     the following: ``United States;
       ``(2) any''; and
       (3) by striking the period at the end and inserting the 
     following: ``; or
       ``(3) production of child pornography (as defined in 
     section 2256(8)).''.
       (b) Holding Sex Traffickers Accountable.--Section 2423(g) 
     of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ``a 
     preponderance of the evidence'' and inserting ``clear and 
     convincing evidence''.

     SEC. 112. MONITORING ALL HUMAN TRAFFICKERS AS VIOLENT 
                   CRIMINALS.

       Section 3156(a)(4)(C) of title 18, United States Code, is 
     amended by inserting ``77,'' after ``chapter''.

     SEC. 113. CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS.

       (a) In General.--Section 3771 of title 18, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:
       ``(9) The right to be informed in a timely manner of any 
     plea bargain or deferred prosecution agreement.
       ``(10) The right to be informed of the rights under this 
     section and the services described in section 503(c) of the 
     Victims' Rights and Restitution Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
     10607(c)) and provided contact information for the Office of 
     the Victims' Rights Ombudsman of the Department of 
     Justice.'';
       (2) in subsection (d)(3), in the fifth sentence, by 
     inserting ``, unless the litigants, with the approval of the 
     court, have stipulated to a different time period for 
     consideration'' before the period; and
       (3) in subsection (e)--
       (A) by striking ``this chapter, the term'' and inserting 
     the following: ``this chapter:
       ``(1) Court of appeals.--The term `court of appeals' 
     means--
       ``(A) the United States court of appeals for the judicial 
     district in which a defendant is being prosecuted; or
       ``(B) for a prosecution in the Superior Court of the 
     District of Columbia, the District of Columbia Court of 
     Appeals.
       ``(2) Crime victim.--
       ``(A) In general.--The term'';
       (B) by striking ``In the case'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(B) Minors and certain other victims.--In the case''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) District court; court.--The terms `district court' 
     and `court' include the Superior Court of the District of 
     Columbia.''.
       (b) Crime Victims Fund.--Section 1402(d)(3)(A)(i) of the 
     Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10601(d)(3)(A)(i)) is 
     amended by inserting ``section'' before ``3771''.
       (c) Appellate Review of Petitions Relating to Crime 
     Victims' Rights.--
       (1) In general.--Section 3771(d)(3) of title 18, United 
     States Code, as amended by subsection (a)(2) of this section, 
     is amended by inserting after the fifth sentence the 
     following: ``In deciding such application, the court of 
     appeals shall apply ordinary standards of appellate 
     review.''.
       (2) Application.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall 
     apply with respect to any petition for a writ of mandamus 
     filed under section 3771(d)(3) of title 18, United States 
     Code, that is pending on the date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 114. COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING ACT.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Combat 
     Human Trafficking Act of 2015''.
       (b) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Commercial sex act; severe forms of trafficking in 
     persons; state; task force.--The terms ``commercial sex 
     act'', ``severe forms of trafficking in persons'', ``State'', 
     and ``Task Force'' have the meanings given those terms in

[[Page S1353]]

     section 103 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 
     (22 U.S.C. 7102).
       (2) Covered offender.--The term ``covered offender'' means 
     an individual who obtains, patronizes, or solicits a 
     commercial sex act involving a person subject to severe forms 
     of trafficking in persons.
       (3) Covered offense.--The term ``covered offense'' means 
     the provision, obtaining, patronizing, or soliciting of a 
     commercial sex act involving a person subject to severe forms 
     of trafficking in persons.
       (4) Federal law enforcement officer.--The term ``Federal 
     law enforcement officer'' has the meaning given the term in 
     section 115 of title 18, United States Code.
       (5) Local law enforcement officer.--The term ``local law 
     enforcement officer'' means any officer, agent, or employee 
     of a unit of local government authorized by law or by a local 
     government agency to engage in or supervise the prevention, 
     detection, investigation, or prosecution of any violation of 
     criminal law.
       (6) State law enforcement officer.--The term ``State law 
     enforcement officer'' means any officer, agent, or employee 
     of a State authorized by law or by a State government agency 
     to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, 
     investigation, or prosecution of any violation of criminal 
     law.
       (c) Department of Justice Training and Policy for Law 
     Enforcement Officers, Prosecutors, and Judges.--
       (1) Training.--
       (A) Law enforcement officers.--The Attorney General shall 
     ensure that each anti-human trafficking program operated by 
     the Department of Justice, including each anti-human 
     trafficking training program for Federal, State, or local law 
     enforcement officers, includes technical training on--
       (i) effective methods for investigating and prosecuting 
     covered offenders; and
       (ii) facilitating the provision of physical and mental 
     health services by health care providers to persons subject 
     to severe forms of trafficking in persons.
       (B) Federal prosecutors.--The Attorney General shall ensure 
     that each anti-human trafficking program operated by the 
     Department of Justice for United States attorneys or other 
     Federal prosecutors includes training on seeking restitution 
     for offenses under chapter 77 of title 18, United States 
     Code, to ensure that each United States attorney or other 
     Federal prosecutor, upon obtaining a conviction for such an 
     offense, requests a specific amount of restitution for each 
     victim of the offense without regard to whether the victim 
     requests restitution.
       (C) Judges.--The Federal Judicial Center shall provide 
     training to judges relating to the application of section 
     1593 of title 18, United States Code, with respect to 
     ordering restitution for victims of offenses under chapter 77 
     of such title.
       (2) Policy for federal law enforcement officers.--The 
     Attorney General shall ensure that Federal law enforcement 
     officers are engaged in activities, programs, or operations 
     involving the detection, investigation, and prosecution of 
     covered offenders.
       (d) Minimum Period of Supervised Release for Conspiracy To 
     Commit Commercial Child Sex Trafficking.--Section 3583(k) of 
     title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
     ``1594(c),'' after ``1591,''.
       (e) Bureau of Justice Statistics Report on State 
     Enforcement of Human Trafficking Prohibitions.--The Director 
     of the Bureau of Justice Statistics shall--
       (1) prepare an annual report on--
       (A) the rates of--
       (i) arrest of individuals by State law enforcement officers 
     for a covered offense;
       (ii) prosecution (including specific charges) of 
     individuals in State court systems for a covered offense; and
       (iii) conviction of individuals in State court systems for 
     a covered offense; and
       (B) sentences imposed on individuals convicted in State 
     court systems for a covered offense; and
       (2) submit the annual report prepared under paragraph (1) 
     to--
       (A) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (B) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
       (C) the Task Force;
       (D) the Senior Policy Operating Group established under 
     section 105(g) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 
     2000 (22 U.S.C. 7103(g)); and
       (E) the Attorney General.

     SEC. 115. SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING EMPOWERMENT ACT.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the 
     ``Survivors of Human Trafficking Empowerment Act''.
       (b) Establishment.--There is established the United States 
     Advisory Council on Human Trafficking (referred to in this 
     section as the ``Council''), which shall provide advice and 
     recommendations to the Senior Policy Operating Group 
     established under section 105(g) of the Trafficking Victims 
     Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7103(g)) (referred to in 
     this section as the ``Group'') and the President's 
     Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking 
     established under section 105(a) of such Act (referred to in 
     this section as the ``Task Force'').
       (c) Membership.--
       (1) Composition.--The Council shall be composed of not less 
     than 8 and not more than 14 individuals who are survivors of 
     human trafficking.
       (2) Representation of survivors.--To the extent 
     practicable, members of the Council shall be survivors of 
     trafficking, who shall accurately reflect the diverse 
     backgrounds of survivors of trafficking, including--
       (A) survivors of sex trafficking and survivors of labor 
     trafficking; and
       (B) survivors who are United States citizens and survivors 
     who are aliens lawfully present in the United States.
       (3) Appointment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the President shall appoint the 
     members of the Council.
       (4) Term; reappointment.--Each member of the Council shall 
     serve for a term of 2 years and may be reappointed by the 
     President to serve 1 additional 2-year term.
       (d) Functions.--The Council shall--
       (1) be a nongovernmental advisory body to the Group;
       (2) meet, at its own discretion or at the request of the 
     Group, not less frequently than annually to review Federal 
     Government policy and programs intended to combat human 
     trafficking, including programs relating to the provision of 
     services for victims and serve as a point of contact for 
     Federal agencies reaching out to human trafficking survivors 
     for input on programming and policies relating to human 
     trafficking in the United States;
       (3) formulate assessments and recommendations to ensure 
     that policy and programming efforts of the Federal Government 
     conform, to the extent practicable, to the best practices in 
     the field of human trafficking prevention; and
       (4) meet with the Group not less frequently than annually, 
     and not later than 45 days before a meeting with the Task 
     Force, to formally present the findings and recommendations 
     of the Council.
       (e) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act and each year thereafter until the date 
     described in subsection (h), the Council shall submit a 
     report that contains the findings derived from the reviews 
     conducted pursuant to subsection (d)(2) to--
       (1) the chair of the Task Force;
       (2) the members of the Group;
       (3) the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, 
     Appropriations, and the Judiciary of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (4) the Committees on Foreign Relations, Appropriations, 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Judiciary 
     of the Senate.
       (f) Employee Status.--Members of the Council--
       (1) shall not be considered employees of the Federal 
     Government for any purpose; and
       (2) shall not receive compensation other than reimbursement 
     of travel expenses and per diem allowance in accordance with 
     section 5703 of title 5, United States Code.
       (g) Nonapplicability of FACA.--The Council shall not be 
     subject to the requirements under the Federal Advisory 
     Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
       (h) Sunset.--The Council shall terminate on September 30, 
     2020.

     SEC. 116. BRINGING MISSING CHILDREN HOME ACT.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the 
     ``Bringing Missing Children Home Act''.
       (b) Crime Control Act Amendments.--Section 3702 of the 
     Crime Control Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 5780) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (3)--
       (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as 
     subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively; and
       (B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
       ``(B) a recent photograph of the child, if available;''; 
     and
       (3) in paragraph (4)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``paragraph (2)'' and inserting ``paragraph (3)'';
       (B) in subparagraph (A)--
       (i) by striking ``60 days'' and inserting ``30 days''; and
       (ii) by inserting ``and a photograph taken during the 
     previous 180 days'' after ``dental records'';
       (C) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (D) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D);
       (E) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
       ``(C) notify the National Center for Missing and Exploited 
     Children of each report received relating to a child reported 
     missing from a foster care family home or childcare 
     institution;'';
       (F) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated--
       (i) by inserting ``State and local child welfare systems 
     and'' before ``the National Center for Missing and Exploited 
     Children''; and
       (ii) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; 
     and''; and
       (G) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(E) grant permission to the National Crime Information 
     Center Terminal Contractor for the State to update the 
     missing person record in the National Crime Information 
     Center computer networks with additional information learned 
     during the investigation relating to the missing person.''.

     SEC. 117. GRANT ACCOUNTABILITY.

       (a) Definition.--In this section, the term ``covered 
     grant'' means a grant awarded by the Attorney General under 
     section 203 of the Trafficking Victims Protection 
     Reauthorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 14044b), as amended by 
     section 103.
       (b) Accountability.--All covered grants shall be subject to 
     the following accountability provisions:
       (1) Audit requirement.--
       (A) In general.--Beginning in the first fiscal year 
     beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, and in 
     each fiscal year thereafter, the Inspector General of the 
     Department of Justice shall conduct audits of recipients of a 
     covered grant to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of funds by 
     grantees. The Inspector General shall determine the 
     appropriate number of grantees to be audited each year.

[[Page S1354]]

       (B) Definition.--In this paragraph, the term ``unresolved 
     audit finding'' means a finding in the final audit report of 
     the Inspector General that the audited grantee has utilized 
     grant funds for an unauthorized expenditure or otherwise 
     unallowable cost that is not closed or resolved within 12 
     months from the date when the final audit report is issued.
       (C) Mandatory exclusion.--A recipient of a covered grant 
     that is found to have an unresolved audit finding shall not 
     be eligible to receive a covered grant during the following 2 
     fiscal years.
       (D) Priority.--In awarding covered grants the Attorney 
     General shall give priority to eligible entities that did not 
     have an unresolved audit finding during the 3 fiscal years 
     prior to submitting an application for a covered grant.
       (E) Reimbursement.--If an entity is awarded a covered grant 
     during the 2-fiscal-year period in which the entity is barred 
     from receiving grants under subparagraph (C), the Attorney 
     General shall--
       (i) deposit an amount equal to the grant funds that were 
     improperly awarded to the grantee into the General Fund of 
     the Treasury; and
       (ii) seek to recoup the costs of the repayment to the fund 
     from the grant recipient that was erroneously awarded grant 
     funds.
       (2) Nonprofit organization requirements.--
       (A) Definition.--For purposes of this paragraph and covered 
     grants, the term ``nonprofit organization'' means an 
     organization that is described in section 501(c)(3) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is exempt from taxation 
     under section 501(a) of such Code.
       (B) Prohibition.--The Attorney General may not award a 
     covered grant to a nonprofit organization that holds money in 
     offshore accounts for the purpose of avoiding paying the tax 
     described in section 511(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
     1986.
       (C) Disclosure.--Each nonprofit organization that is 
     awarded a covered grant and uses the procedures prescribed in 
     regulations to create a rebuttable presumption of 
     reasonableness for the compensation of its officers, 
     directors, trustees and key employees, shall disclose to the 
     Attorney General, in the application for the grant, the 
     process for determining such compensation, including the 
     independent persons involved in reviewing and approving such 
     compensation, the comparability data used, and 
     contemporaneous substantiation of the deliberation and 
     decision. Upon request, the Attorney General shall make the 
     information disclosed under this subsection available for 
     public inspection.
       (3) Conference expenditures.--
       (A) Limitation.--No amounts transferred to the Department 
     of Justice under this title, or the amendments made by this 
     title, may be used by the Attorney General, or by any 
     individual or organization awarded discretionary funds 
     through a cooperative agreement under this title, or the 
     amendments made by this title, to host or support any 
     expenditure for conferences that uses more than $20,000 in 
     Department funds, unless the Deputy Attorney General or such 
     Assistant Attorney Generals, Directors, or principal deputies 
     as the Deputy Attorney General may designate, provides prior 
     written authorization that the funds may be expended to host 
     a conference.
       (B) Written approval.--Written approval under subparagraph 
     (A) shall include a written estimate of all costs associated 
     with the conference, including the cost of all food and 
     beverages, audiovisual equipment, honoraria for speakers, and 
     any entertainment.
       (C) Report.--The Deputy Attorney General shall submit an 
     annual report to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate 
     and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
     Representatives on all approved conference expenditures 
     referenced in this paragraph.
       (D) Annual certification.--Beginning in the first fiscal 
     year beginning after the date of enactment of this title, the 
     Attorney General shall submit, to the Committee on the 
     Judiciary and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate 
     and the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives, an annual 
     certification that--
       (i) all audits issued by the Office of the Inspector 
     General under paragraph (1) have been completed and reviewed 
     by the appropriate Assistant Attorney General or Director;
       (ii) all mandatory exclusions required under paragraph 
     (1)(C) have been issued;
       (iii) all reimbursements required under paragraph (1)(E) 
     have been made; and
       (iv) includes a list of any grant recipients excluded under 
     paragraph (1) from the previous year.
       (4) Prohibition on lobbying activity.--
       (A) In general.--Amounts awarded under this title, or any 
     amendments made by this title, may not be utilized by any 
     grant recipient to--
       (i) lobby any representative of the Department of Justice 
     regarding the award of grant funding; or
       (ii) lobby any representative of a Federal, State, local, 
     or tribal government regarding the award of grant funding.
       (B) Penalty.--If the Attorney General determines that any 
     recipient of a covered grant has violated subparagraph (A), 
     the Attorney General shall--
       (i) require the grant recipient to repay the grant in full; 
     and
       (ii) prohibit the grant recipient from receiving another 
     covered grant for not less than 5 years.

                 TITLE II--COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING

  Subtitle A--Enhancing Services for Runaway and Homeless Victims of 
                           Youth Trafficking

     SEC. 201. AMENDMENTS TO THE RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH ACT.

       The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5701 et seq.) 
     is amended--
       (1) in section 343(b)(5) (42 U.S.C. 5714-23(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))), or 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) (42 U.S.C. 5714-41(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)))''.

 Subtitle B--Improving the Response to Victims of Child Sex Trafficking

     SEC. 211. RESPONSE TO VICTIMS OF CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING.

       Section 404(b)(1)(P)(iii) of the Missing Children's 
     Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5773(b)(1)(P)(iii)) is amended by 
     striking ``child prostitution'' and inserting ``child sex 
     trafficking, including child prostitution''.

  Subtitle C--Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking

     SEC. 221. VICTIM OF TRAFFICKING DEFINED.

       In this subtitle, the term ``victim of trafficking'' has 
     the meaning given such term in section 103 of the Trafficking 
     Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102).

     SEC. 222. INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE REPORT ON CHILD TRAFFICKING 
                   PRIMARY PREVENTION.

       (a) Review.--The Interagency Task Force to Monitor and 
     Combat Trafficking, established under section 105 of the 
     Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7103), 
     shall conduct a review that, with regard to trafficking in 
     persons in the United States--
       (1) in consultation with nongovernmental organizations that 
     the Task Force determines appropriate, surveys and catalogs 
     the activities of the Federal Government and State 
     governments--
       (A) to deter individuals from committing trafficking 
     offenses; and
       (B) to prevent children from becoming victims of 
     trafficking;
       (2) surveys academic literature on--
       (A) deterring individuals from committing trafficking 
     offenses;
       (B) preventing children from becoming victims of 
     trafficking;
       (C) the commercial sexual exploitation of children; and
       (D) other similar topics that the Task Force determines to 
     be appropriate;
       (3) identifies best practices and effective strategies--
       (A) to deter individuals from committing trafficking 
     offenses; and
       (B) to prevent children from becoming victims of 
     trafficking; and
       (4) identifies current gaps in research and data that would 
     be helpful in formulating effective strategies--
       (A) to deter individuals from committing trafficking 
     offenses; and
       (B) to prevent children from becoming victims of 
     trafficking.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Interagency Task Force to Monitor 
     and Combat Trafficking shall provide to Congress, and make 
     publicly available in electronic format, a report on the 
     review conducted pursuant to subparagraph (a).

     SEC. 223. GAO REPORT ON INTERVENTION.

       On the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
     shall submit a report to Congress that includes information 
     on--
       (1) the efforts of Federal and select State law enforcement 
     agencies to combat human trafficking in the United States; 
     and
       (2) each Federal grant program, a purpose of which is to 
     combat human trafficking or assist victims of trafficking, as 
     specified in an authorizing statute or in a guidance document 
     issued by the agency carrying out the grant program.

     SEC. 224. PROVISION OF HOUSING PERMITTED TO PROTECT AND 
                   ASSIST IN THE RECOVERY OF VICTIMS OF 
                   TRAFFICKING.

       Section 107(b)(2)(A) of the Trafficking Victims Protection 
     Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7105(b)(2)(A)) is amended by inserting 
     ``, including programs that provide housing to victims of 
     trafficking'' before the period at the end.

                          TITLE III--HERO ACT

     SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Human Exploitation Rescue 
     Operations Act of 2015'' or the ``HERO Act of 2015''.

     SEC. 302. HERO ACT.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) The illegal market for the production and distribution 
     of child abuse imagery is a growing threat to children in the 
     United States. International demand for this material creates 
     a powerful incentive for the rape, abuse, and torture of 
     children within the United States.
       (2) The targeting of United States children by 
     international criminal networks is a threat to the homeland 
     security of the United States. This threat must be fought 
     with trained personnel and highly specialized counter-child-
     exploitation strategies and technologies.

[[Page S1355]]

       (3) The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement 
     of the Department of Homeland Security serves a critical 
     national security role in protecting the United States from 
     the growing international threat of child exploitation and 
     human trafficking.
       (4) The Cyber Crimes Center of the United States 
     Immigration and Customs Enforcement is a vital national 
     resource in the effort to combat international child 
     exploitation, providing advanced expertise and assistance in 
     investigations, computer forensics, and victim 
     identification.
       (5) The returning military heroes of the United States 
     possess unique and valuable skills that can assist law 
     enforcement in combating global sexual and child 
     exploitation, and the Department of Homeland Security should 
     use this national resource to the maximum extent possible.
       (6) Through the Human Exploitation Rescue Operative (HERO) 
     Child Rescue Corps program, the returning military heroes of 
     the United States are trained and hired to investigate crimes 
     of child exploitation in order to target predators and rescue 
     children from sexual abuse and slavery.
       (b) Cyber Crimes Center, Child Exploitation Investigations 
     Unit, and Computer Forensics Unit.--
       (1) In general.--Subtitle H of title VIII of the Homeland 
     Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 451 et seq.) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 890A. CYBER CRIMES CENTER, CHILD EXPLOITATION 
                   INVESTIGATIONS UNIT, COMPUTER FORENSICS UNIT, 
                   AND CYBER CRIMES UNIT.

       ``(a) Cyber Crimes Center.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall operate, within 
     United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a Cyber 
     Crimes Center (referred to in this section as the `Center').
       ``(2) Purpose.--The purpose of the Center shall be to 
     provide investigative assistance, training, and equipment to 
     support United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement's 
     domestic and international investigations of cyber-related 
     crimes.
       ``(b) Child Exploitation Investigations Unit.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall operate, within the 
     Center, a Child Exploitation Investigations Unit (referred to 
     in this subsection as the `CEIU').
       ``(2) Functions.--The CEIU--
       ``(A) shall coordinate all United States Immigration and 
     Customs Enforcement child exploitation initiatives, including 
     investigations into--
       ``(i) child exploitation;
       ``(ii) child pornography;
       ``(iii) child victim identification;
       ``(iv) traveling child sex offenders; and
       ``(v) forced child labor, including the sexual exploitation 
     of minors;
       ``(B) shall, among other things, focus on--
       ``(i) child exploitation prevention;
       ``(ii) investigative capacity building;
       ``(iii) enforcement operations; and
       ``(iv) training for Federal, State, local, tribal, and 
     foreign law enforcement agency personnel, upon request;
       ``(C) shall provide training, technical expertise, support, 
     or coordination of child exploitation investigations, as 
     needed, to cooperating law enforcement agencies and 
     personnel;
       ``(D) shall provide psychological support and counseling 
     services for United States Immigration and Customs 
     Enforcement personnel engaged in child exploitation 
     prevention initiatives, including making available other 
     existing services to assist employees who are exposed to 
     child exploitation material during investigations;
       ``(E) is authorized to collaborate with the Department of 
     Defense and the National Association to Protect Children for 
     the purpose of the recruiting, training, equipping and hiring 
     of wounded, ill, and injured veterans and transitioning 
     service members, through the Human Exploitation Rescue 
     Operative (HERO) Child Rescue Corps program; and
       ``(F) shall collaborate with other governmental, 
     nongovernmental, and nonprofit entities approved by the 
     Secretary for the sponsorship of, and participation in, 
     outreach and training activities.
       ``(3) Data collection.--The CEIU shall collect and maintain 
     data concerning--
       ``(A) the total number of suspects identified by United 
     States Immigration and Customs Enforcement;
       ``(B) the number of arrests by United States Immigration 
     and Customs Enforcement, disaggregated by type, including--
       ``(i) the number of victims identified through 
     investigations carried out by United States Immigration and 
     Customs Enforcement; and
       ``(ii) the number of suspects arrested who were in 
     positions of trust or authority over children;
       ``(C) the number of cases opened for investigation by 
     United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and
       ``(D) the number of cases resulting in a Federal, State, 
     foreign, or military prosecution.
       ``(4) Availability of data to congress.--In addition to 
     submitting the reports required under paragraph (7), the CEIU 
     shall make the data collected and maintained under paragraph 
     (3) available to the committees of Congress described in 
     paragraph (7).
       ``(5) Cooperative agreements.--The CEIU is authorized to 
     enter into cooperative agreements to accomplish the functions 
     set forth in paragraphs (2) and (3).
       ``(6) Acceptance of gifts.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to accept 
     monies and in-kind donations from the Virtual Global 
     Taskforce, national laboratories, Federal agencies, not-for-
     profit organizations, and educational institutions to create 
     and expand public awareness campaigns in support of the 
     functions of the CEIU.
       ``(B) Exemption from federal acquisition regulation.--Gifts 
     authorized under subparagraph (A) shall not be subject to the 
     Federal Acquisition Regulation for competition when the 
     services provided by the entities referred to in such 
     subparagraph are donated or of minimal cost to the 
     Department.
       ``(7) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
     enactment of the HERO Act of 2015, and annually for the 
     following 4 years, the CEIU shall--
       ``(A) submit a report containing a summary of the data 
     collected pursuant to paragraph (3) during the previous year 
     to--
       ``(i) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
     Affairs of the Senate;
       ``(ii) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
       ``(iii) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
       ``(iv) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives;
       ``(v) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       ``(vi) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       ``(B) make a copy of each report submitted under 
     subparagraph (A) publicly available on the website of the 
     Department.
       ``(c) Computer Forensics Unit.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall operate, within the 
     Center, a Computer Forensics Unit (referred to in this 
     subsection as the `CFU').
       ``(2) Functions.--The CFU--
       ``(A) shall provide training and technical support in 
     digital forensics to--
       ``(i) United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement 
     personnel; and
       ``(ii) Federal, State, local, tribal, military, and foreign 
     law enforcement agency personnel engaged in the investigation 
     of crimes within their respective jurisdictions, upon request 
     and subject to the availability of funds;
       ``(B) shall provide computer hardware, software, and 
     forensic licenses for all computer forensics personnel within 
     United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement;
       ``(C) shall participate in research and development in the 
     area of digital forensics, in coordination with appropriate 
     components of the Department; and
       ``(D) is authorized to collaborate with the Department of 
     Defense and the National Association to Protect Children for 
     the purpose of recruiting, training, equipping, and hiring 
     wounded, ill, and injured veterans and transitioning service 
     members, through the Human Exploitation Rescue Operative 
     (HERO) Child Rescue Corps program.
       ``(3) Cooperative agreements.--The CFU is authorized to 
     enter into cooperative agreements to accomplish the functions 
     set forth in paragraph (2).
       ``(4) Acceptance of gifts.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to accept 
     monies and in-kind donations from the Virtual Global Task 
     Force, national laboratories, Federal agencies, not-for-
     profit organizations, and educational institutions to create 
     and expand public awareness campaigns in support of the 
     functions of the CFU.
       ``(B) Exemption from federal acquisition regulation.--Gifts 
     authorized under subparagraph (A) shall not be subject to the 
     Federal Acquisition Regulation for competition when the 
     services provided by the entities referred to in such 
     subparagraph are donated or of minimal cost to the 
     Department.
       ``(d) Cyber Crimes Unit.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall operate, within the 
     Center, a Cyber Crimes Unit (referred to in this subsection 
     as the `CCU').
       ``(2) Functions.--The CCU--
       ``(A) shall oversee the cyber security strategy and cyber-
     related operations and programs for United States Immigration 
     and Customs Enforcement;
       ``(B) shall enhance United States Immigration and Customs 
     Enforcement's ability to combat criminal enterprises 
     operating on or through the Internet, with specific focus in 
     the areas of--
       ``(i) cyber economic crime;
       ``(ii) digital theft of intellectual property;
       ``(iii) illicit e-commerce (including hidden marketplaces);
       ``(iv) Internet-facilitated proliferation of arms and 
     strategic technology; and
       ``(v) cyber-enabled smuggling and money laundering;
       ``(C) shall provide training and technical support in cyber 
     investigations to--
       ``(i) United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement 
     personnel; and
       ``(ii) Federal, State, local, tribal, military, and foreign 
     law enforcement agency personnel engaged in the investigation 
     of crimes within their respective jurisdictions, upon request 
     and subject to the availability of funds;
       ``(D) shall participate in research and development in the 
     area of cyber investigations, in coordination with 
     appropriate components of the Department; and
       ``(E) is authorized to recruit participants of the Human 
     Exploitation Rescue Operative (HERO) Child Rescue Corps 
     program for investigative and forensic positions in support 
     of the functions of the CCU.
       ``(3) Cooperative agreements.--The CCU is authorized to 
     enter into cooperative agreements to accomplish the functions 
     set forth in paragraph (2).
       ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as 
     are necessary to carry out this section.''.
       (2) Table of contents amendment.--The table of contents in 
     section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 
     101 note) is amended by adding after the item relating to 
     section 890 the following:


[[Page S1356]]


``Sec. 890A. Cyber crimes center, child exploitation investigations 
              unit, computer forensics unit, and cyber crimes unit.''.
       (c) HERO Corps Hiring.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     Homeland Security Investigations of the United States 
     Immigration and Customs Enforcement should hire, recruit, 
     train, and equip wounded, ill, or injured military veterans 
     (as defined in section 101, title 38, United States Code) who 
     are affiliated with the HERO Child Rescue Corps program for 
     investigative, intelligence, analyst, and forensic positions.
       (d) Investigating Child Exploitation.--Section 307(b)(3) of 
     the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 187(b)(3)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) conduct research and development for the purpose of 
     advancing technology for the investigation of child 
     exploitation crimes, including child victim identification, 
     trafficking in persons, and child pornography, and for 
     advanced forensics.''.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the time until 12:30 
p.m. will be equally divided.
  The Senator from Iowa.
  (The remarks of Mr. Grassley pertaining to the introduction of S. 686 
are printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills 
and Joint Resolutions.'')
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, on this bill before the Senate, for a 
few days we will continue to debate legislation to fight crime and 
restore dignity to its survivors. I thank the majority leader for 
scheduling floor action on the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. 
This important bill is authored by our assistant majority leader, 
Senator Cornyn of Texas.
  Human trafficking is a serious crime that is too often overlooked in 
its various forms, which include both labor trafficking and sexual 
servitude. It causes drastic harm to its victims. A form of modern-day 
slavery, human trafficking includes both adults and children, as well 
as noncitizens and citizens of our country. Experts tell us it is not 
limited to big cities or our Nation's coasts but stretches across the 
whole Nation, even to the rural parts of our country, including my 
Midwest. Indeed, it happens every day, everywhere in this country.
  The Judiciary Committee met 2 weeks ago to hear testimony from a 
victim advocate, a law enforcement official, and a sex trafficking 
survivor about the challenges we face in fighting human trafficking. 
One witness, a criminal investigator from my State of Iowa who works 
for our Democratic attorney general Tom Miller, told us about a 20-
year-old from my State who in December was abducted and forced into 
sexual servitude.
  We have made progress in curbing human trafficking since the passage 
in 2000 of the Federal Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection 
Act--a measure I supported at that time--but there is still much work 
that remains to be done on this front. This bill before the Senate 
takes a creative and comprehensive approach to what is a pervasive and 
very troubling problem. The measure has been endorsed by over 200 
groups, and it passed the Senate Judiciary Committee without a 
dissenting vote.
  The centerpiece of this bill is its creation of a new fund called the 
Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund, which will be used to support a 
host of programs and services for human trafficking and child 
pornography survivors. The fund will be financed not by taxpayers' 
dollars but by fines collected from individuals convicted of human 
trafficking and human smuggling crimes, making it deficit neutral.
  If enacted, this bill will also equip law enforcement with new tools 
to fight trafficking. For example, it would make it easier for State 
law enforcement officials to wiretap human trafficking suspects without 
Federal approval. It also would expand the categories of persons who 
can be prosecuted for human trafficking. In addition, it clarifies that 
child pornography is a form of human trafficking.
  This bill takes an extremely thoughtful and comprehensive approach, 
tackling not only the supply of human trafficking victims but also the 
demand for these victims. Tackling the problem on both fronts is 
something the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service tells us is 
absolutely necessary if we are to successfully curb human trafficking. 
If enacted, this bill will ensure that both the trafficker and the 
buyer will be prosecuted for their crimes.
  We had an open and productive markup of this bill. I offered an 
amendment, which was accepted by voice vote, clarifying that Federal 
grant resources can be used to meet the housing needs of trafficking 
victims and offer training on the effects of sex trafficking to those 
who serve runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth.
  This amendment also updates the reauthorization language for the 
CyberTipline of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children 
to ensure that child trafficking is specifically mentioned as a form of 
Internet-related child exploitation.
  Finally, this amendment would require the Interagency Task Force to 
monitor and combat trafficking to identify best practices to prevent 
human trafficking.
  Senator Blumenthal from the State of Connecticut also offered an 
amendment based on a bill he and Senator Kirk filed earlier this year, 
which was accepted in committee by a voice vote. Their bill, S. 575, 
known as the HERO Act, provides authorization for a program at the 
Department of Homeland Security that trains wounded warriors to assist 
in the effort to locate missing children.
  I am proud to be a cosponsor of the bill now before if Senate. I 
commend Senator Cornyn, the lead sponsor of this measure, for his 
efforts to refine the bill and build such a substantial, very 
bipartisan coalition supporting it. I hope we will show the same 
bipartisan cooperation and support on the floor as we consider 
amendments. I look forward to a vote on this bill as soon as possible.
  I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record letters in 
support of S. 178 from various organizations.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                                February 23, 2015.
     Senator Chuck Grassley,
     Chair, U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, Dirksen Senate Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
     Senator Patrick Leahy,
     Ranking Member, Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, 
         DC.
     Senator Dianne Feinstein,
     Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
     Senator John Cornyn,
     Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
     Senator Amy Klobuchar,
     Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senators Grassley, Leahy, Feinstein, Cornyn, and 
     Klobuchar: We write to you, the leaders of the U.S. Senate 
     Judiciary Committee, and to three committee Senators who have 
     been particularly sensitive to our (often ignored) 
     perspective. We write to you as survivors of sex trafficking 
     and commercial sexual exploitation. We write as survivors who 
     know, profoundly and personally, the harm caused by this 
     crime. And we write to you as survivor leaders of 
     organizations trying to prevent sex trafficking before it 
     victimizes others.
       We write to express our support for legislation that makes 
     progress in three essential areas:
       1. Identify new funding streams for victim services. 
     Current public budgets are stressed. Victims of sex 
     trafficking typically suffer multiple harms, requiring a 
     range of services from medical and psychological assistance 
     to treatment for the drug and alcohol addiction that so often 
     accompanies trafficking (addictions that make people 
     vulnerable to trafficking; addictions that develop or worsen 
     as people try to cope with the pain of this intimate form of 
     abuse). We've been told by law enforcement in numerous 
     jurisdictions that when services don't exist (mainly because 
     they are expensive) there's a disincentive to enforcing anti-
     trafficking laws and identifying victims.
       The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA), S. 178, 
     is innovative for creating a new fund to finance victim--
     services an essential goal. It also achieves a second 
     principle we stand for: Making sex buyers accountable for the 
     harm they cause.
       2. Prevent sex trafficking by targeting the buyers who 
     create demand. Logically, trafficking will never end until we 
     shrink the demand that creates the market. People still in 
     the life, still being exploited, sometimes avoid this 
     conclusion because they see no other options but the cycle of 
     violence in which they are trapped. We are strong witnesses 
     to the necessity of making the buyers pay, to make the crime 
     end.
       Two bills in particular strength accountability in the sex 
     trafficking legal regime: S. 178 and Combat Human Trafficking 
     Act of 2015, S. 140. By clarifying congressional intent that 
     sex buyers be considered parties to the trafficking crime, by 
     compelling the Department of Justice to incorporate training 
     and technical assistance on investigating and prosecuting 
     buyers in its anti-trafficking programming, and by making the 
     crime more ``costly,'' we can finally begin to shrink its 
     incidence.

[[Page S1357]]

       3. Treat victims as victims, not criminals, and let 
     survivor voices inform anti-trafficking policy. Two bills in 
     particular recognize these realities: the Stop Exploitation 
     Through Trafficking Act, S. 166, which gives states 
     incentives to approve ``Safe Harbor'' laws as well as job 
     training options for victims and the Survivors of Human 
     Trafficking Empowerment Act, which creates a survivors-led 
     U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking to review federal 
     policy and programs.
       Other proposals may also make valuable contributions, but 
     these are the three most important principles to incorporate 
     in new legislative initiatives.
       Thank you for your consideration. Please let us know if you 
     have specific questions or would like more information on our 
     program activities.
           Sincerely,
       Windie Lazenko, 4her--North Dakota, ND; Brooke Axtell, 
     Allies Against Slavery, TX; Aliza Amar, Breaking the Silence 
     Together/Sole Sisters Project, San Diego, CA; Vednita Carter, 
     Breaking Free, St Paul, MN; Leah J. Albright-Byrd, Executive 
     Director/Founder, Bridget's Dream, Sacramento, CA; Marian 
     Hatcher, Human Trafficking Coordinator, Cook County Sheriff's 
     Office, SPACE International Member, Chicago, IL; Tina Frundt, 
     Courtney's House, Washington, DC; Cherie Jimenez, Founder, 
     Eva Center, Boston, MA; D'Lita Miller, Founder/Executive 
     Director, Families Against Sex Trafficking, Los Angeles, CA; 
     Kathi Hardy, Founder/Executive Director, Freedom From 
     Exploitation, San Diego, CA; Cheryl Briggs, Founder/
     President, Mission at Serenity Ranch, TX; Necole Daniels, 
     MISSSEY, Inc., Oakland, CA; Dr. Brook Bello, More Too Life, 
     FL.
       Nola Brantley, Nola Brantley Speaks! Oakland, CA; Rebecca 
     Bender, Rebecca Bender Ministries, OR; Carissa Phelps, 
     Runaway Girl, Inc., CA; Natasha Falle, Co-Founder, Sex Trade 
     101/Canada; Bridget Perrier, Co-Founder, Sex Trade 101/
     Canada; Stella Marr, Survivor and a Founder, Sex Trafficking 
     Survivors United, USA; Amy Green, Survivors Consultation 
     Network, San Bernardino, CA; Rachel Thomas, Sowers Education 
     Group, Los Angeles, CA; Autumn Burris, Survivors for 
     Solutions/SPACE Int'l Member, San Diego, CA; Mark (Marq) 
     Daniel Taylor, The BUDDY House, Inc., GA; Tom Jones, Founder, 
     The H.O.P.E. Project for Male Survivors, San Diego, CA; 
     Kristy Childs, Veronica's Voice, Inc., Kansas City, MO; 
     Jeanette Westbrook, MSSW, Women Graduates--USA/SPACE Int'l 
     Member, KY; Beth Jacobs, Founder, Willow Way/Policy Chair, 
     National Survivor Network, Tuscan, AZ.
                                  ____

                                                February 23, 2015.
     Hon. Chuck Grassley,
     Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. Senate, 
         Washington, DC.
     Hon. Patrick J. Leahy,
     Ranking Member, Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. Senate, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Grassley and Ranking Member Leahy: We are a 
     coalition of organizations from across the United States 
     dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable women and 
     children and write to express our support for the Justice for 
     Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, S. 178 (JVTA). The JVTA 
     would provide much needed services and support to domestic 
     victims of trafficking and provide a tool for law 
     enforcement, courts, and the anti-trafficking task forces 
     throughout the country to effectively target the demand that 
     fuels the sex trafficking market.
       The JVTA provides unprecedented support to domestic victims 
     of trafficking, who are too often invisible and underserved, 
     by creating grants for state and local governments to develop 
     comprehensive support programs for victims. In addition, the 
     Act will directly assist domestic victims of trafficking by 
     finally allowing them access to the same services and support 
     systems that have been previously available only to foreign 
     victims of human trafficking in the U.S. The legislation 
     prioritizes victim assistance by training federal prosecutors 
     and judges on the importance of requesting and ordering 
     restitution, and training law enforcement on facilitating 
     physical and mental health services for trafficking victims 
     they encounter.
       Every day in this country, thousands of women and children 
     are bought and sold. The unfettered demand for sex, with 
     underage girls in particular, has caused pimps and exploiters 
     to resort to more extreme tactics in order to meet the 
     growing demand. Women and children, especially girls, are 
     advertised online where buyers purchase them with ease, 
     anonymity, and impunity. This happens in every city, in every 
     state.
       The elimination of sex trafficking is fundamentally linked 
     to targeting the demand for commercial sex. Any effort to 
     prevent sex trafficking must focus on the sex buyers and 
     facilitators. Without buyers of commercial sex, sex 
     trafficking would not exist.
       This legislation is vital. The Justice for Victims of 
     Trafficking Act of 2015 represents an effort to provide the 
     necessary support services to our domestic victims of 
     trafficking in the U.S. and to target the culture of impunity 
     for those who seek to purchase sex, especially with children. 
     As leaders in the anti-trafficking, anti-violence, child 
     welfare, civil rights, runaway and homeless youth, and human 
     rights movements, we urge Congress to pass this critical 
     piece of legislation.
           Sincerely,
       Rights4Girls, ECPAT-USA, NAACP, National Domestic Violence 
     Hotline, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges 
     (NCJFCJ), National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA), 
     Minnesota Indian Women Resource Center, National Women's Law 
     Center (NWLC), American Psychological Association, National 
     Children's Alliance, Equality Now, Shared Hope International, 
     Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (APA), Survivors for 
     Solutions, Breaking Free Inc., Coalition Against Trafficking 
     in Women (CATW), PROTECT, National Crittenton Foundation.
       First Focus Campaign for Children, Girls Inc. (National), 
     National Association for Children's Behavioral Health, 
     National Center for Youth Law, Alameda County District 
     Attorney's Office, Advisory Council on Child Trafficking 
     (ACCT), My Life My Choice, Girls for Gender Equity, PACE 
     Center for Girls, Inc., The Children's Campaign, Sojourners, 
     Men Can Stop Rape, YWCA National Capital Area, WestCoast 
     Children's Clinic, FAIR Girls, Sanctuary for Families, 
     Alliance for Girls, Girls Inc. of Alameda County.
       DC Rape Crisis Center, Stop Modern Slavery, Women's 
     Foundation of Minnesota, Healthy Teen Network, United 
     Methodist Women, Foster Family-based Treatment Association, 
     Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery, Children's Home Society of 
     Washington, American Association of University Women SF, 
     Exodus Cry, Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center, Hope Academy 
     of the Denver Street School, Directions For Youth & Families, 
     Violence Prevention Coalition, Children Now, Always Free, Set 
     Free, End Slavery TN.
       Child Advocacy Center a Division of Meridian Health 
     Services, Program for the Empowerment of Girls (Albuquerque 
     specialized court for girls), Changing Destinies, Second Life 
     of Chattanooga, Students Ending Slavery at the University of 
     Maryland, Hope Run Kenosha, Tex Pride Disaster & Recovery 
     First Responders, West Florida Center for Trafficking 
     Advocacy, Empowered You, LLC, Traffick Free, Chapelwood 
     United Methodist Church, Hephzibah Children's Home, Side-By-
     Side Church International, Lives Worth Saving, Pleasant Grove 
     United Methodist Women, Sisters of Providence, A2 Trafficking 
     Task Force, Michigan Abolitionist Project.
       Set Free Movement, Refuge of Light, Ash Creek Baptist 
     Church, Companions of Wisdom, Zonta Club of Pinellas County, 
     Oasis of Hope, Benton County Republican Women, Ho'ola Na 
     Pua (Hawaii-based child sex trafficking service provider), 
     Butterfly House, International Christian Center, New Life 
     Refuge Ministries, The Red Web Foundation, Coastal Bend 
     Grace House, Freedom13, The RavenHeart Center, Scott 
     County Sheriff's Office, Flathead Abolitionist Movement, 
     The Porch Light.
       Honermann Homeschool, Heartly House, Milton Hershey School, 
     River's Voice Music, San Antonio Against Slavery, Smoky Hill 
     Vineyard Church, Sauk Prairie Church, MQA Charity in Action, 
     St Mary of the Lake Human Trafficking Working Group, Eden's 
     Glory, Project Resource Company, Shelter In The Storm, 
     Daughters of Charity, Denver Street School--Hope Academy, 
     Stockton Covenant Church, National Association of Social 
     Workers, I'm Aware, Christian Inn Ministries, Inc.
       Living in Liberty, Precious Ones, Thomas Spann Clinic, 
     Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, CharlotteLaw Advocates 
     Against Trafficking of Humans, Saint Hilary Parish, RJ 
     Huffman & Associates, Sufficient Grace Outreach, Anti-
     Trafficking Task Force, First Congregational Church of 
     Boulder, The MENTOR Network, Freedom From Exploitation, Hope 
     Hollow Exploitation Victim Assistance and Consultation 
     Services, Virginia Beach Justice Initiative, Religious 
     Sisters of Charity, To Love Children Educational Foundation 
     International Inc., Children's Advocacy Center of Suffolk 
     County, Make Way Partners, Restore NYC.
       Ozone House, Inc., ENC Stop Human Trafficking Now, 
     YouthSpark, Changing Destinies, Visitors from the Past, 
     Perhaps Kids Meeting Kids Can Make A Difference, Living Water 
     for Girls, The Ray E. Helfer Society, Edmund Rice 
     International, Bay Area Girls Unite, Exodus Cry, Horizon 
     Farms, The Tobert and Polly Dunn Foundation, Lotus Medicine, 
     Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), Home Instead 
     Senior Care, From Words 2 Action Outreach Ministries, 
     Butterfly Dreams Abuse Recovery.
       O L Pathy Foundation, Dignity Health, Forsythe County Child 
     Advocacy Center, Civil Society (Minnesota based anti-
     trafficking organization), 300m4freedom, Bluff Country Family 
     Resources, Sexual Assault Services, Inc., Asian Women United 
     of MN, Tubman Family Crisis & Support Services, Rochester 
     Franciscan, Human Trafficking Task Force, Trinity 
     Presbyterian Church, Anoka Ramsey Community College, New York 
     Asian Women's Center, St. Mary's Social Justice Ministry, St 
     Mary of the Lake Human Trafficking Working Group, Franciscan 
     Peace Center Anti-Trafficking Committee, Kids At Risk Action, 
     Nomi Network.
       Soroptimist International of Stuart, Someplace Safe, 
     Calvary Temple, Genesee County Youth Corporation, Youth 
     Attention Center, The Advocates for Human Rights, Livingston 
     Family Center, Central New Mexico Counseling Service, Downey 
     McGrath Group, Women Graduates-USA, Lutheran Services in 
     America, Life for the Innocent, Too Young to Wed, WRAP Court 
     (specialized ``CSEC'' court, Philadelphia), Real Life Giving, 
     Christian Inn Ministries, Inc., Angels Ministry, California 
     Alliance of Child and Family Services, Crittenton Center, 
     Children's Court

[[Page S1358]]

     Division (2nd Judicial District Court, Albuquerque), Oak 
     Chapel UMC, Greif Fellowship in Juvenile Human Trafficking at 
     The Ohio State University.
                                  ____

                                                February 24, 2015.
     Hon. Chuck Grassley,
     Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
     Hon. Patrick J. Leahy,
     Ranking Member, Committee on the Judiciary,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Chairman Grassley and Ranking Member Leahy: As 
     organizations representing law enforcement leaders, officers, 
     and state and local prosecutors from across the United 
     States, we write to express our support for S. 178, the 
     Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 (JVTA). The 
     JVTA would provide much needed services and support to 
     domestic victims of trafficking. More importantly, this bill 
     provides necessary tools for law enforcement, courts, and the 
     anti-trafficking task forces throughout the country to 
     effectively target the demand that fuels the sex trafficking 
     market.
       The JVTA provides unprecedented resources to address the 
     issue of domestic victims of trafficking, who are too often 
     invisible and underserved, by creating grants for state and 
     local governments to develop comprehensive systems to address 
     these crimes and provide services for victims. In addition, 
     the legislation allows wire-taps obtained through state 
     courts to be used for child sex trafficking, trains federal 
     prosecutors and judges on the importance of requesting and 
     ordering restitution, and trains law enforcement on 
     facilitating physical and mental health services for 
     trafficking victims they encounter.
       According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited 
     Children (NCMEC), at least 100,000 American children each 
     year are the victims of commercial child prostitution and 
     child trafficking. Women and children, especially girls, are 
     also advertised online where buyers purchase them with ease, 
     anonymity, and impunity. This happens in every city, in every 
     state.
       The elimination of sex trafficking is fundamentally linked 
     to targeting the demand for commercial sex. Without buyers of 
     commercial sex, sex trafficking would not exist. It is for 
     this reason and others stated above that we, as 
     representatives of law enforcement and the courts, support 
     this bill.
       The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 
     addresses a critical need by providing the necessary tools 
     and support services for domestic victims of trafficking in 
     the U.S. We urge Congress to pass this critical piece of 
     legislation.
           Sincerely,
       National District Attorneys Association, Association of 
     State Criminal Investigative Agencies, National Association 
     of Police Organizations, Federal Law Enforcement Officers 
     Association, National Fusion Center Association, National 
     Black Prosecutors Association.
       National Troopers Coalition, Major Cities Chiefs 
     Association, Major County Sheriffs' Association, National 
     Sheriffs' Association, Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.

  Mr. GRASSLEY. I also take this opportunity to thank the organizations 
Rights4Girls, Shared Hope International, the Polaris Project, and the 
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, among many other 
supporters of the bill, for their effort in assisting in our refinement 
of this legislation so it could move forward in this manner.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. LEAHY. If the Senator will yield for a question, there is so much 
of this bill I strongly support. In fact, a lot of it reflects 
legislation I have written and actually passed through the committee 
before. I have a couple of concerns, but one that comes to mind is that 
we don't want to hold out false promises to victims, and I know the 
Senator doesn't want to either.
  I certainly support having any money that the traffickers are fined 
go to supporting this, but my experience earlier as a prosecutor and my 
experience now in talking to prosecutors around the country is that 
most of these people, when they get prosecuted, are basically judgment-
proof--they don't have any money or they have a very small amount of 
money. They will go to prison. Who pays for that? Of course taxpayers 
pay for the prison, whether it is Federal or State. They will pay for 
the prisons, but there is no money for the victims.
  What happens if the fine money does not materialize? We have talked 
about up to $30 million, I think, in fines, but let's suppose we only 
come up with a few thousand dollars in fines. Are we making a promise 
to these victims that can't be met? Is there an alternative for them in 
case the fines don't pay for it?
  Mr. GRASSLEY. I guess, based upon the experience of the supporters of 
the legislation and the expert advice they got in coming to the 
conclusion of how to fund this fund, they feel the money is going to be 
available to do that.
  You ask a legitimate question. I suppose I ought to have an answer 
for it, and I don't have from this standpoint. I think that I have 
great faith in the figures they have presented us and that we will have 
to deal with the issue you bring up at some future time because I think 
we will want everybody to be made whole if what you say happens.
  Mr. LEAHY. The reason I ask, Mr. President, is because I know in the 
House of Representatives they have been concerned that the money might 
not be there.
  I think we all want to accomplish these things for the victims. I 
just want to make sure we are not holding out a promise that we can't 
complete. Do I agree with all the fines going into this fund? 
Absolutely. But the experience of a lot of prosecutors I have talked 
with is that the court may say: I fine you $20,000 or $30,000, but this 
is never paid. They go to prison. They have no assets. We are spending 
$25,000 to $35,000 a year as taxpayers keeping them in prison, and I 
want them to be in prison, but there is no money for victims.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. I can say to the Senator that he raises a legitimate 
point because I know in other areas we have set up such funds and 
sometimes they come up short. But we have to remember that sometimes 
something is not paid out because a lot of times excess money is used 
for something else in the Federal budget and not paid out entirely the 
way it was intended originally.
  But I would urge my colleague to take the word of the people who have 
done the research on this legislation to bring it together and the 
consensus it has from 200 or more organizations and feel that it will 
be successful. If it isn't, then I pledge to help you deal with that at 
that particular time.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Vermont.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, the issues raised in this are serious 
matters, and the Senator from Iowa, Senator Klobuchar, Senator Cornyn, 
and others should be concerned about this.
  I think of a victim I have talked with, Holly Austin Smith. She was 
14 years old when she ran away from home and quickly became a victim of 
human trafficking. She met a man in a shopping mall who told her she 
was pretty, and promised he would give her a glamorous life in 
California. Remember, she was 14 years old. Then he sold her for sex. 
The first man she was sold to commented that she reminded him of his 
own granddaughter--but then he paid $200 to rape her.
  Thankfully, Holly escaped and has rebuilt her life. She is now a 
fierce advocate of ending all forms of human trafficking because she 
knows what happens to those who are trafficked. But many are not so 
lucky. The physical and psychological scars of being bought and sold, 
of being raped multiple times a night by different men, are 
devastating. This terrible crime destroys lives.
  As we consider legislation to combat human trafficking, we must 
remember Holly and the thousands of other vulnerable and victimized 
children she represents, and we must do everything we can to keep it 
from happening in the first place.
  Last Congress, in 2013, I led the effort to reauthorize the 
Trafficking Victims Protection Act. That historic bipartisan 
legislation and the funds it authorized signaled our country's 
commitment to ending all forms of human trafficking, both here at home 
and around the world. So I am glad, after the attention we gave to my 
bill last Congress, to see the Senate return its attention to this 
issue. Stories such as Holly's make clear we have more work to do.
  I support the bill we take up today, the Justice for Victims of 
Trafficking Act, but I believe we must do more to prevent trafficking 
in the first place. We have to act to protect our young people before 
they become victims. It is one thing to say now that you have become a 
victim, we are here to help you. It does even more if we can stop them 
from being victims in the first place.
  The legislation that Senator Collins of Maine and I have introduced 
seeks to do just that. Homeless and runaway kids are exceptionally 
vulnerable to human traffickers. A recent survey

[[Page S1359]]

found that one in four homeless teens was a victim of sex trafficking 
or had been forced to provide sex for survival needs.
  These vulnerable children, alone and on the street, are walking prey. 
Human traffickers lurk around bus stops and parks where homeless 
children congregate. They offer promises of something to eat and a 
night off the streets. They exploit the very sad reality that most of 
these children have no place to go. The weather may be cold. Far too 
many of our cities have no shelter for kids, and those who do face a 
chronic shortage of beds. Then somebody comes up and says: I will offer 
you food, I will offer you a warm place to sleep for the night.
  As Representative Poe recently said at an event on ending human 
trafficking: We have more animal shelters in this country than places 
for young people to find a safe place to sleep. What does that say 
about our priorities? I have nothing against having the animal 
shelters, but shouldn't we have more for our children than we do for 
the animals?
  If we are serious about preventing human trafficking, we must protect 
these kids. We have to provide better outreach to them, more beds for 
them to sleep in, and more counseling to get them on the path to a 
stable life. This kind of prevention costs money, but it saves lives 
and prevents the far more costly effects of human trafficking--not just 
the effects of human trafficking on the victims' part, but the cost to 
all of us. This is smart money we ought to be proud to invest in our 
children. We must include the Runaway and Homeless Youth and 
Trafficking Prevention Act in our efforts here to prevent more of our 
kids from becoming victims. I look forward, at the appropriate place, 
to offering our bipartisan legislation as an amendment.
  I know other Senators have amendments they wish to see considered. 
Senator Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has 
an important piece of legislation to combat sex and labor trafficking 
in countries around the world. I thank him for working with me to make 
some improvements to its funding provisions and I hope this bipartisan 
legislation will be considered as an amendment by the full Senate.
  I mentioned earlier Senator Klobuchar has been working for years to 
see the safe harbor bill get passed, to make sure victims are treated 
as victims and not as criminals. I am proud to cosponsor her bill. 
After all, as I said about the Violence Against Women Act, a victim is 
a victim is a victim. They are not criminals. They are victims.
  Senator McConnell has long promised a full amendment process. I take 
him at his word and I expect we will have the opportunity to strengthen 
the underlying bill with a variety of ideas from Senators. We owe it to 
survivors such as Holly to pass the strongest possible bill.
  We have to provide the resources desperately needed by those on the 
front lines protecting young people every day, such as those in my home 
State of Vermont at Spectrum Services and the Vermont Coalition of 
Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs service providers. We owe it to all 
the survivors who bravely come forward and tell their stories, hoping 
to prevent just one more child from falling prey to this terrible 
crime.
  The Senate has to pass a strong, comprehensive bill that includes 
prevention and prosecution, but also services for victims. We haven't 
accomplished as much as we should if we are only able to prosecute the 
perpetrator after the fact and forget about helping the victim. We have 
to stop trafficking from happening in the first place; but if it does 
happen, we have to help the victims.
  An editorial in the New York Times last week noted that:

     . . . a consensus is emerging on new initiatives to confront 
     this human-rights problem and help its victims, often 
     runaways or homeless youngsters who have been forced or 
     coerced into prostitution.

  I agree with that editorial, and I look forward to working with every 
Senator here to ensure we get this done for the American people.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the New York Times 
editorial be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                [From the New York Times, March 5, 2015]

                 Steps Against Juvenile Sex Trafficking

                        (By the Editorial Board)

       The impression that America's sex-trafficking problem 
     mostly involves young people smuggled from overseas has given 
     way to broad recognition of a cruel homegrown reality: the 
     tens of thousands of juveniles who are exploited each year by 
     traffickers in this country.
       On Capitol Hill, a consensus is emerging on new initiatives 
     to confront this human-rights problem and help its victims, 
     often runaways or homeless youngsters who have been forced or 
     coerced into prostitution.
       The Senate Judiciary Committee last week unanimously 
     approved a pair of anti-trafficking bills with wide backing 
     from victim advocates and other experts, and the full Senate 
     is expected to take up the package soon.
       A bill championed by Senator John Cornyn, Republican of 
     Texas, would create a new pool of financing--through 
     additional fines on people convicted of sex and labor 
     trafficking, child pornography and other crimes--for 
     restitution, victim services and law enforcement. The idea of 
     aiding victims without committing more tax dollars has drawn 
     support from Republicans, and any new money for this badly 
     underfinanced cause would help.
       The Cornyn bill would also encourage prosecution of the 
     ``johns,'' or buyers of juvenile sex, who typically escape 
     criminal charges even though they are paying for what amounts 
     to the statutory rape of children and teenagers. Their demand 
     is what's fueling the highly lucrative human slavery 
     business.
       The second bill, put forward by Senator Amy Klobuchar, 
     Democrat of Minnesota, would give a preference for Department 
     of Justice law enforcement grants to states that adopt ``safe 
     harbor'' laws.
       These laws help ensure that young people sold for sex are 
     treated as victims and offered support services instead of 
     being prosecuted. The House has approved similar bills, so it 
     should not be hard to hammer out a strong final package.
       A preventive measure that would help ensure housing and 
     services for homeless juveniles, who are often prey to 
     traffickers, unfortunately stalled in the Senate Judiciary 
     Committee. One obstacle was the resistance of some 
     Republicans to its nondiscrimination provision guaranteeing 
     fair treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender 
     youths.
       No young person should ``have to choose between selling 
     their bodies and a safe place to sleep,'' said Senator Susan 
     Collins, Republican of Maine, who introduced the bill with 
     Patrick Leahy, Democrat of Vermont. Undeterred, they plan to 
     seek consideration from the full Senate.
       Trafficking abroad remains a tremendous problem, so it is 
     fitting that a promising approach comes from the Senate 
     Foreign Relations Committee, which last week unanimously 
     approved a measure to create an international public-private 
     fund dedicated to the issue, similar to the Global Fund to 
     Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. More resources could do 
     a lot to help trafficking's victims at home, too.

  Mr. LEAHY. We talk about the Runaway and Homeless Youth Trafficking 
and Prevention Act. This is a partial list of the local, State, and 
national groups which have urged its passage. There are too many to 
read--this has to be in small type; otherwise, we would have a dozen 
posters if we put it in larger type.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record 
the complete list.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:


                         national organizations

       AccuWord, LLC; Alliance to End Slavery & Trafficking 
     (ATEST); American Psychological Association; Campaign for 
     Youth Justice; Center for Children's Law and Policy; 
     CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Center; Children's Advocacy 
     Institute; Child Welfare League of America; Coalition for 
     Juvenile Justice; Covenant House International; ECPAT-USA; 
     Entertainment Industries Council, Inc.; Family Equality 
     Council; Family Promise; First Focus Campaign for Children; 
     Free the Slaves; Foster Family-based Treatment Association; 
     FosterClub; Freedom Network USA; Funders Together to End 
     Homelessness; Futures Without Violence; Girls Inc.; Healthy 
     Teen Network; HEAR US, Inc.; Hetrick-Martin Institute; Human 
     Rights Campaign; Human Rights Project for Girls; Indian Oaks 
     Academy; International Human Trafficking Institute; 
     International Organization for Adolescents (IOFA).
       Jewish Women International; Lambda Legal; MANY; Marriage 
     Equality USA; National Association of Counsel for Children; 
     National Association for the Education of Homeless Children 
     and Youth; National Center for Housing and Child Welfare; 
     National Center for Lesbian Rights; National Children's 
     Alliance; National Coalition for the Homeless; National 
     Council on Jewish Women; National Council of Juvenile and

[[Page S1360]]

     Family Court Judges; National Law Center on Homelessness & 
     Poverty; National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund; National 
     Network for Youth; National PTA; National Safe Place Network; 
     National Youth Advocate Program; Peace Alliance; Polaris; 
     Reclaiming Lost Voices; SAFE Coalition for Human Rights; 
     School Social Work Association of America; Sexuality 
     Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS); 
     Shared Hope International; Southwest Key Programs; StandUp 
     For Kids; Student Peace Alliance; The Equity Project; The 
     Forum for Youth Investment; The General Board of Church and 
     Society, United Methodist Church; The National Crittenton 
     Foundation; The Peace Alliance; The Trevor Project; True 
     Colors Fund; U.S. Fund for UNICEF; U.S. Committee for 
     Refugees and Immigrants; W. Haywood Burns Institute.


                                regional

       Art Expression Inc., Pittsburgh, PA; BeaSister2aSister, 
     Brooklyn, NY; CAP Services, Inc., Stevens Point, WI; Caring 
     for Children, Inc., Asheville, NC; Catholic Charities of the 
     Diocese of Albany, NY; Center for Health Justice, Inc.; 
     Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles CA; Community 
     Youth Services, Olympia, WA; Compass Family & Community 
     Services, Youngstown, OH; Congregation of St. Joseph, OH; 
     Covenant House New Orleans, LA; Free2Be Safe Anti-Violence 
     Project, Huntsville, AL; Hope Hollow Exploitation Victim 
     Assistance and Consultation, PA; Janus Youth Programs, 
     Portland, OR; Latin American Youth Center, Washington, DC; 
     Long Island Crisis Center/Pride for Youth, NY; Loving Arms, 
     Inc., MD.
       LUK, Inc., Fitchburg & Worcester, MA; Lutheran Social 
     Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan; Rainbow House, 
     MO; Runaway and Homeless Youth Services--Boys & Girls 
     Clubs of America; Ryan's House for Youth, Freeland, WA; 
     Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness, CA; 
     Safe Harbor Children's Center, Brunswick, GA; San Diego 
     Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting Program; Staircase 
     Youth Services, Inc., Ludington, MI; South Bay Community 
     Services, Chula Vista, CA; United Way of Tucson and 
     Southern Arizona, Tucson, AZ; Victoria Area Homeless 
     Coalition, Victoria, TX; Volunteers of America of America 
     Northern New England, Brunswick, ME; Youth and Shelter 
     Services, Inc., Ames, IA; Youth Continuum, New Haven, CT; 
     YouthLink, Minneapolis, MN; Youth OUTright WNC, Inc., 
     Asheville & Western NC.


                          STATE ORGANIZATIONS

       AO: Advocating Opportunity, OH; AMP Iowa; Arizona Legal 
     Women and Youth Services (ALWAYS), Phoenix, AZ; Avenues for 
     Homeless Youth, MN; California Coalition for Youth; Chicago 
     Coalition for the Homeless; Children and Family Services of 
     NH; Children's Home + Aid, IL; Coalition for Homeless Youth; 
     Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking; Cocoon House, 
     Everett, WA; Covenant House Pennsylvania; Covenant House 
     Florida; Texans Care for Children, TX; The DC Center for the 
     LGBT Community.
       Empire State Pride Agenda, NY; The Bridge for Youth, 
     Minneapolis, MN; The Florida Network of Youth and Family 
     Services; Family Resources, Inc., FL; Families On The Move, 
     Inc., MI; Focus on Awareness and Information Resources of New 
     York, Syracuse, NY; Georgia Alliance to End Homelessness, GA; 
     Healing Place Serve, LA; Human Rights Advocacy Center, Inc., 
     FL; Illinois Collaboration on Youth; Indiana Youth Services 
     Association, Indianapolis, IN; Lutheran Social Services of 
     MN; Lutheran Social Services, WI; Massachusetts Coalition for 
     the Homeless; North Little Rock School District, AR.
       Outreach Resource Centers, UT; Preble Street, Portland, ME; 
     Reed City Housing Commission, Reed City, MI; Sparrow's Next 
     NW MT; Student Advocacy Center of Michigan; The Mockingbird 
     Society, WA; The Women's Law Center of Maryland, Inc.; 
     Training and Resources United to Stop Trafficking, AZ; 
     Vermont Coalition of Runaway & Homeless Youth Programs; Youth 
     Bridge, Fayetteville, AR; Youth Pride, Inc., RI; Youthworks, 
     Bismarck and Fargo, ND; WI Association for Homeless and 
     Runaway Services.


                          LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

       Adventure Church, Kalispell, MT; Alameda Family Services, 
     Alameda, CA; Alternative House, Fairfax, VA; Attention Homes, 
     Boulder, CO; Avenues for Homeless Youth, Minneapolis, MN; 
     Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, Allentown, PA; Bill 
     Wilson Center, San Jose, CA; Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox 
     Valley, Appleton, WI; Briarpatch Youth Services, Madison, WI; 
     Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Boston, MA; Broward Human 
     Trafficking Coalition, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Cardinal McCloskey 
     Community Services, Bronx, NY; Catholic Charities of Herkimer 
     County, NY; Catholic Charities, Lubbock, TX; Center for 
     Family Services, Camden, NJ; Center on Halsted, Chicago, IL; 
     Central Texas Youth Services Bureau, Belton, TX; Children's 
     Home Society of FL--WaveCREST Shelter, Fort Pierce, FL; 
     Community Resources in Service to People, Winterset, IA; 
     Compatior, Inc., South Gate, CA; Compass House, Buffalo, NY.
       CORY Place, Inc., Bay City, MI; Covenant House NY, New 
     York, NY; Crisis Center Inc., a Youth Service Bureau, Gary, 
     IN; Crosswinds Youth Services, Cocoa, FL; Davis Chapel United 
     Methodist Church, Piedmont, AL; Daybreak, Dayton, OH; 
     Educational and Treatment Council, Inc., Lake Charles, LA; 
     Evergreen Youth & Family Services, Bemidji, MN; Face to Face 
     Health and Counseling Service, Inc., St. Paul, MN; Fairfield-
     Suisun Unified School District, Fairfield-Suisun, CA; Family 
     Assistance Program, Victorville, CA; Friends of Youth, 
     Kirkland, WA; Gay & Lesbian Community Services of SE MN, 
     Rochester, MN; Girls Educational and Mentoring Services, 
     New York, NY; Give Them Wings, Inc., dba WINGS, Hood 
     River, OR; Good Shepherd Services, New York, NY; Grand 
     Rapids Public Schools, Grand Rapids, MI; HDC Project Reach 
     Out, Superior, WA; Health care for the Homeless, 
     Pittsburgh, PA; Hillcrest Youth Program, Kansas City, KS; 
     Home Start, Inc., San Diego, CA.
       Hudson Pride Connections Center, Jersey City, NJ; Human 
     Development Center/ Project Reach Out, Duluth, MN; In Our Own 
     Voice, Inc., Albany, NY; Interfaith Emergency Services, 
     Ocala, FL; Introspect Youth Services, Inc., Chicago, IL 1 in 
     10, Inc., Phoenix, AZ; Jackson Street Youth Shelter, Inc., 
     Corvallis, OR; Jefferson County Public Schools, Louisville, 
     KY; Juneau Youth Services, Juneau, AK; Kalamazoo Gay Lesbian 
     Resource Center, Kalamazoo, MI; Karis, Inc., Grand Junction, 
     CO; Kenosha Human Development Services, Kenosha, WI; Kids in 
     Crisis, Greenwich, CT; Kids in Need Youth Program, 
     Rhinelander, WI; Krista THP+, Redding, CA; Larkin Street 
     Youth Services, San Francisco, CA; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & 
     Transgender Community Center, New York, NY; LGBT Center of 
     Raleigh, Raleigh, NC; LIFE Skills Foundation, Durham, NC; 
     Lighthouse Youth Services, Inc., Cincinnati, OH.
       Lutheran Social Services SW RAYS, Baraboo, WI; Lutheran 
     Social Services Youth Services, Brainerd, MN; Matrix Human 
     Services, Detroit, MI; MCCNY Charities, Inc., New York, NY; 
     Miami Coalition for the Homeless, Miami, FL; Montgomery 
     County Youth Services, Conroe, TX; Morgan County System of 
     Services, Inc., Decatur, AL; New Morning Youth & Family 
     Services, Placerville, CA; Northwest Family Services, Inc., 
     Alva, OK; Oasis Center, Nashville, TN; Open Arms, Inc., 
     Albany, GA; Open Door Youth Services, Green Bay, WI; Ozone 
     House Youth and Family Services, Ann Arbor, MI; Pathfinders 
     Milwaukee, Inc., Milwaukee, WI; PathWays PA, Holmes, PA; 
     Positive Alternatives, Inc., Menomonie, WI; Pride Center of 
     Staten Island, Inc., Staten Island, NY; Pridelines Youth 
     Services, South FL; Project Oz, McLean County, IL; Project 
     16:49, Janesville, WI; Project Reach, New York, NY; Project 
     YES, Ceres, CA.
       Proud Haven, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA; Redwood Community Action 
     Agency--Youth Service Bureau, Eureka, CA; Richmond Gay 
     Community Foundation, Richmond, VA; Roanoke Diversity Center, 
     Roanoke, VA; Safe Haven of Racine, Inc., Racine, WI; 
     Sanctuary of Hope, Los Angeles, CA; Sasha Bruce Youthwork, 
     Inc., Washington, DC; School District 27J, Brighton, CO; Shaw 
     House, Bangor, ME; Social Advocates for Youth, Santa Rosa, 
     CA; Somerville Homeless Coalition, Somerville, MA; StandUp 
     for Kids, Chicago, IL; StandUp for Kids, Washington, DC; 
     SunServe, Wilton Manors, FL; Tahoe Youth & Family Services, 
     South Lake Tahoe, CA; Tamar Counseling Services, Upland, CA; 
     Teens Alone, Hopkins, MN.
       The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, Bridgeport, 
     CT; The Gay and Lesbian Center of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, 
     NV; The HEAT Program, Brooklyn, NY; The Night Ministry, 
     Chicago, IL; The Youth and Family Project, Inc., West Bend, 
     WI; Urban Peak Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO; 
     Walker's Point Youth & Family Center, Milwaukee, WI; 
     Livingston Family Center--The Connection Youth Services, 
     Howell, MI; School District 27J, Brighton, CO; YMCA of San 
     Diego County, San Diego, CA; YMCA Safe Place Services, 
     Louisville, KY; Young Adult Guidance Center, Inc., Atlanta, 
     GA; YouthCare, Seattle, WA; Youth Emergency Services, Omaha, 
     NE; Youth In Need, St. Louis, MO; Youth Outreach Services, 
     Inc., Chicago, IL; YouthLink, Minneapolis, MN; Youth Service 
     Bureau of St. Joseph County, Inc., South Bend, IN; Youth 
     Services Bureau of Monroe County, Bloomington, IL; Youth 
     Services for Stephens County, Inc., Duncan, OK; Youth 
     Services of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK.

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I see the distinguished senior Senator from 
Texas on the floor seeking recognition. I wonder if we could suggest 
the absence of a quorum for just 1 minute.
  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I know the Senator from West Virginia will 
be giving her first speech in the Senate here shortly and I look 
forward to listening to that, but I wanted to say a few words about the 
legislation we will be debating and hopefully passing this week, and 
that is the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.
  This is without a doubt one of the most shocking and troubling issues 
facing our country today. It is no exaggeration to say modern-day human 
slavery, at a time when we believed as a country that slavery was a 
part of

[[Page S1361]]

our past and something we only read about in our history books.
  Many people are under the impression that human trafficking is a 
problem somewhere else or at some other time in history, but the fact 
is human trafficking is a problem right now in all 50 States, right 
here in the United States of America, the most affluent country in the 
world. It is not just a problem in Texas, it is not just a problem in 
Arizona, it is not just a problem in West Virginia, it is a problem in 
all 50 States.
  Thousands of young girls, many of them middle school age, are trapped 
into a life of bondage where they are abused and sold for sex every 
day. It is not easy to say, but it is true, and we must say it and we 
must acknowledge it.
  This is of course unconscionable. As the father of two daughters 
myself, it is simply heartbreaking to hear the stories of young women 
who have been trapped in this system. Of course, we can imagine it is 
every parent's worst nightmare.
  One woman I have had the privilege of meeting and who shared her very 
personal story about this is Melissa Woodward from the Dallas-Fort 
Worth area in Texas. When she was 12 years old--12 years old--she was 
sold into the sex trade by a family member, somebody whom she had every 
right to assume cared for her, loved her, wanted her to grow up being a 
loved and productive person. But she was sold into the sex trade by a 
family member. Eventually she was pulled out of school and trafficked 
full time when she was in sixth grade. Her life became a prison.
  She was chained to a bed in a warehouse. She endured regular beatings 
and, of course, she was sexually assaulted with regularity. She was 
even set on fire by one of her captors. All the while, she was forced 
to serve between 5 and 30 men every day.
  Melissa has said that she wished she were dead. Her story of her time 
in captivity is gut-wrenching and heartbreaking, but just as sad is the 
way she was treated once she escaped from her captors. As is the case 
with so many victims, Melissa struggled for years to distance herself 
from her past. But instead of being treated as the victim she was, the 
criminal justice system actually treated her as the criminal. That is 
an all too common outcome for victims of trafficking, who are labeled 
as prostitutes and are left with few options but to return to the 
nightmare that so sadly exists in our country.
  That needs to change. That is why I am glad the Senate is taking up 
the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, because this begins the 
process of making that important change. The bill helps law enforcement 
crack down on criminal trafficking rings and perpetrators of these 
crimes.
  Instead of a slap on the wrist and a fine, the so-called johns--the 
demand side for this terrible trade--will be treated as the child 
rapists and the criminals they are. No longer are we just going to deal 
with the supply side. We are going to pay attention to the demand side 
too.
  Critically, this bill takes fines from the perpetrators of these 
awful crimes and redirects them into a crime victims fund which will 
help people such as Melissa and others get a fresh lease on life, to 
begin to heal and to get the help they so badly need in order to get on 
with their lives.
  This week we have a wonderful opportunity in the Senate, in a town 
that is too often divided by ideology and partisanship, to do something 
together on a bipartisan basis that can help people such as Melissa and 
the thousands of young girls like her waiting to be saved. All of us, 
Republicans and Democrats alike, are committed to working together to 
do everything we can to help these victims and to put an end to this 
abhorrent practice.
  This particular legislation we are taking up today passed unanimously 
out of the Judiciary Committee a few weeks ago. That doesn't happen 
very often, but it did for this legislation. More than 200 groups 
around the country--such as the NAACP, the National Center for Missing 
and Exploited Children, Rights4Girls, the Fraternal Order of Police, 
and the National Conference of State Legislatures--have all endorsed 
our work on this issue.
  I want to particularly thank some of my colleagues on the other side 
of the aisle who joined me on this effort: the senior Senator from 
Minnesota, Ms. Klobuchar, and the senior Senator from Oregon, Mr. 
Wyden. They have been great partners in this fight--not just this year 
but for many years. And there are many others. Another great partner 
has been the junior Senator from Illinois, Mr. Kirk, who has worked for 
years to get antitrafficking legislation to the floor. He introduced a 
bill called the HERO Act which authorizes a program to recruit wounded, 
injured, and returning veterans and provides them with training in 
high-tech computer forensics and law enforcement skills to help fight 
child exploitation.
  I also want to acknowledge the great contribution of the junior 
Senator from Ohio, Mr. Portman, who has a bill called the Bringing 
Missing Children Home Act, which improves the way cases of missing 
children are handled, strengthening law enforcement reporting and 
response procedures.
  Both the HERO Act and the Bringing Missing Children Home Act have 
been incorporated into the underlying bill, and I want to thank both of 
them for their efforts and willingness to work with us to make the 
Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act even stronger.
  I know there are Members who are interested in offering amendments to 
this legislation. Thanks to the majority leader, we are going to have 
an open process where anybody with a better idea who wants to add to 
this base of work that is contained in this bill will have the 
opportunity to do so, both offering amendments and seeking votes on 
those.
  This is a fight that sadly must be fought, but it is a fight we will 
win. When we do, we will finally have done our part to help deliver our 
Nation's promise of freedom to those who are enslaved.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from West Virginia.


                making washington work for west virginia

  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. President, I rise today to deliver my maiden speech 
as a Senator from West Virginia. I am deeply humbled by the confidence 
placed in me by fellow West Virginians. To serve as West Virginia's 
first female Senator is a true honor and one that comes with great 
responsibility. I hope to serve as an example for that next generation 
of West Virginians, including my own grandchildren Celia and Charlie, 
and hopefully for many others. I find myself in a unique place in 
history, and I am grateful to and inspired by my own loving family, my 
husband Charlie and our three children, Charles, Moore, and Shelley, 
and their spouses.
  For 14 years I have proudly served the people of West Virginia's 
Second Congressional District in the House of Representatives. I bring 
that experience to the Senate combined with a strong desire to make 
Washington work for West Virginia.
  West Virginia has a time-honored history of exceptional Senators, 
including my predecessors, Senators Jay Rockefeller and Robert C. Byrd. 
I am appreciative of their efforts to better West Virginia during their 
more than 80 years of combined public service in this great body.
  I am proud of our State's rich history, culture, and natural beauty. 
But it is our people that I hold dearest in my heart. West Virginians 
are strong and resilient. We are the embodiment of our State's history. 
Born of the Civil War, West Virginians fought for freedom in the face 
of great turmoil. As a result, President Abraham Lincoln signed the 
proclamation making West Virginia the 35th State admitted to the Union.
  Today, our State's forceful motto, ``Mountaineers are always free,'' 
remains emblazoned in Latin on our State flag. We will never forget the 
principles on which our great State was founded. The Mountain State is 
home to unmatched scenery and natural resources that can power our 
Nation's economy. A State filled with small towns, Main Streets and 
tight knit communities, West Virginians come together to solve problems 
and help neighbors in need. I have often said that West Virginia is one 
big small town.
  West Virginians expect the Senate to find pragmatic solutions to the 
momentous problems confronting our

[[Page S1362]]

country. That is particularly true now during this period of divided 
government. There are clear differences among the American people, and 
these differences are certainly reflected in the Senate.
  West Virginia is represented by both parties in the Senate, and I 
look forward to continuing to work with my friend Senator Joe Manchin 
in the months ahead, and I thank him for being here with me as a source 
of support today. Together, I hope we can reinstate respect for the 
institution, a place where deliberation and debate are valued and all 
voices are heard. We owe it to the American people to do better.
  Throughout my time in Congress I have heard a clear and consistent 
message from West Virginians: Improve the economic opportunities for 
our State, stop the bickering, and fight for our jobs. As Leader 
McConnell has stated, to do this the Senate must work more, have an 
open amendment process--which we are going to be having here in the 
next several days--and take the tough votes. After all, that is why we 
are here.
  Today I will outline how I plan to produce bipartisan, commonsense 
solutions in the Senate to make West Virginia communities stronger. 
This plan will create economic opportunities by bridging the gap and 
tackling America's infrastructure crisis, better connecting West 
Virginia and rural communities through increased broadband access, 
caring for our Nation's veterans, and ensuring a bright future for 
young West Virginians, and implementing a commonsense energy policy 
that utilizes our vast natural resources to provide affordable and 
reliable energy.
  First, addressing our country's crumbling infrastructure is an area 
that can bridge the partisan divide and further economic growth. 
American communities need a strong Federal highway program and a full 
6-year bill to meet the needs of our growing population, to ensure 
safety for travelers, and to offer opportunity for growth in areas that 
struggle economically.
  West Virginians, like many across the Nation, rely heavily on roads, 
bridges, and highway transit to fuel our economy, to access hard to 
reach areas in our State, to get to and from work, and to transport 
necessary goods and services.
  U.S. Route 35 will drastically improve safety for residents in Putnam 
and Mason Counties. Corridor H will unleash the economic potential of 
our State's eastern highlands. U.S. Route 340 will help address 
congestion in our eastern panhandle, and the Coalfields Expressway and 
the King Coal Highway can help isolated communities attract businesses 
and provide jobs. Point Pleasant's Charles Lanham, a well-respected 
gentleman, had a vision. With his friend Jack Fruth, they began a 
crusade for their community.
  For many years Charles has worked to build the case for a 4-lane U.S. 
Route 35, a project that will provide a secure route to school for our 
children and serve as a regional transportation artery between 
Interstate 64 and the Great Lakes region. Charles understands the 
economic and safety benefits the road provides and has fought for them.
  Working with Charles we have made significant progress on Route 35, 
but all of our States need certainty to invest in our transportation 
infrastructure. That certainty comes with a long-term surface 
transportation reauthorization bill, which brings these projects to 
reality across the country. Working together we can and we must achieve 
this goal. Now is the time to move our transportation system forward.
  Second, I am committed to expanding access to broadband in 
communities across West Virginia, and I will be a champion for 
connecting our State. High-speed Internet access is a pillar of our 
21st century infrastructure and a gateway to growth in rural America. 
High-tech businesses can power our small communities. The world 
literally can be at your desktop. Unfortunately, for all the potential 
opportunities that broadband can offer to rural America, not having 
this important service can place an almost insurmountable barrier to 
economic development, and there are many areas in my State and the 
leader's State that still do not have adequate access. These areas are 
at risk of being left behind. In Capon Bridge, WV, a lack of broadband 
access is an obstacle to attracting jobs and economic development. 
Sadly, Capon Bridge is not unique in this regard.
  Small communities across West Virginia and elsewhere in rural America 
lack fundamental infrastructure and lack access to vital opportunities 
as a result.
  The answer for Capon Bridge is not a regulated Internet. Too much 
government control would be counterproductive, choking off private 
sector expansion projects and hindering new technologies. But we have 
to recognize that there is a role for government in helping broadband 
reach those hard-to-serve communities. We should leverage resources at 
all levels of government and encourage public-private partnerships to 
expand access to rural Americans. This is a necessary and achievable 
goal. It may sound like a small desire, but connectivity is essential 
to compete and thrive.
  Health care access is critically important to West Virginians. We 
must continue to provide access to our veterans and to our children. 
West Virginians have a strong history of service to our Nation. These 
brave men and women have put themselves in harm's way to defend our 
freedoms. It is our solemn responsibility to care for them when they 
return home.
  These American heroes deserve the best possible treatment and top-
notch mental health services.
  Access to care can be especially challenging for our veterans who 
live in rural communities. Many West Virginia veterans must travel 
significant distances to get to a VA hospital. In many cases, allowing 
veterans to receive treatment closer to home is more convenient for the 
patient and more efficient for the VA. While we have made strides to 
improve access for our veterans, the current program is not working as 
well as it should. More must be done.
  Expanded access to private medical providers will help improve the 
quality of care we offer to our veterans. Our children in the Mountain 
State also deserve quality health care. If our children, the next 
generation of leaders, are going to realize their potential, they must 
have a healthy foundation. A solid education and good health are 
pillars for success of future generations. As a parent and grandparent, 
this is personal. We must work together to continue funding the State 
Children's Health Insurance Program.
  I started my legislative career in the West Virginia House of 
Delegates where I served on the committee that first implemented the 
SCHIP program in our State. Today this program provides access to 
health care for tens of thousands of West Virginia's children. 
Maintaining this program is a priority I share with my predecessor, 
Senator Rockefeller, who was a tireless advocate for children's health 
insurance during his three decades of service in this body. I am 
encouraged that Senators in both parties have recognized the importance 
of providing continued funding for the bipartisan SCHIP program.

  Finally, and of critical importance to the State of West Virginia and 
the country, we need to work together to implement a commonsense energy 
policy. We need an affordable and reliable energy policy that utilizes 
our State's vast natural resources. We need a policy that grows the 
economy and creates new job opportunities. We need a policy that 
supports a strong middle class. We need a policy that ensures we 
continue to improve safety and our environment even as we expand energy 
production.
  The administration's overreach has contributed to thousands of coal 
miners losing their jobs in West Virginia and our neighboring States, 
devastating--I can't overstate this enough--local communities and 
families.
  Last year I met a recently laid off coal miner from Raleigh County. 
After losing his job, his church came together to prepare meals for 
other coal miners and their families while they searched for work. 
Neighbors helping neighbors--the West Virginia way. This is a stark 
reminder of the impact misguided Federal policies can have on the lives 
of real people.
  Anti-coal policies impact more than miners and their families. In 
West Virginia the attack on coal mines reduces

[[Page S1363]]

revenues for education programs, roads, and other public services. 
Higher utility prices caused by overregulation means fewer jobs in 
energy-intensive manufacturing. And sadly, lower income families and 
senior citizens who live on fixed incomes are disproportionately 
impacted by higher energy costs. As chairman of the Subcommittee on 
Clean Air and Nuclear Safety, I will lead the fight against excessive 
government regulation that has been devastating my State.
  There are many areas of energy policy where we can find common 
ground. While the EPA's proposed greenhouse gas standards are 
misguided, we should continue to make the use of fossil fuel cleaner 
and more efficient. We must continue to support important research at 
Morgantown's National Energy Technology Lab and other labs that allows 
us to make environmental progress even as we continue to use our 
natural resources.
  Natural gas is a large and growing part of West Virginia's economy. 
As a child of Marshall County, which is the heart of the Marcellus 
Shale development in West Virginia, I am delighted to see these 
communities come alive with opportunity. It is proof positive that an 
energy economy is a jobs economy. We need improved infrastructure in 
order to make full use of these gas reserves. We need new natural gas 
and oil pipelines that safely connect producing regions with 
manufacturers. We need new markets that can make use of these vital 
resources. We need a pro-exports policy that will benefit our country 
in multiple ways. The Nation will see more jobs and investment, more 
security, and a more independent future, and at the same time we can 
strengthen our relationships with important allies overseas by 
providing them with the energy they need.
  These are just a few of the ideas I hope to refine and accomplish 
during my first term in the Senate. Notably, there are many other very 
important issues--such as national security, fiscal responsibility, a 
balanced budget, and replacement of the Affordable Care Act--on which I 
will be focusing. Our plate is full, and expectations are high, as they 
should be. We need to roll up our sleeves and deliver. I am optimistic 
that we can find solutions that move our country forward. There will be 
differences of opinion and philosophy along the way, but Americans 
expect us to bridge those gaps.
  Senator Byrd, the longest serving Senator, said it best:

       I love this Senate. I love it dearly. I love the Senate for 
     its rules. I love the Senate for its precedence. I love the 
     Senate for the difference that it can make in people's lives.

  Fighting for West Virginians always has been and always will be my 
top priority. I am honored--I can't overstate that--to represent the 
great people of the Mountain State as we strive to create a strong and 
prosperous future. Now is the time for Washington to work for West 
Virginia, and I stand ready to do my part.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.


             Congratulating The Senator From West Virginia

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I wish to say to our new Senator from 
West Virginia what an outstanding speech not only for her State but the 
way forward for our country, and I congratulate her for an outstanding 
set of comments.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The senior Senator from West Virginia.
  Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I also wish to congratulate my colleague 
from West Virginia. We spoke earlier about how she and I can show the 
way to have a better relationship-building effort here in the Senate by 
working together in order to better serve the people of West Virginia 
and also the country. I congratulate my colleague on her great speech 
and look forward to working with her. I think she has done a great job 
for the people of West Virginia, and I again thank the Senator.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Virginia.


                  Tackling National Security Questions

  Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, I rise to address a question to myself and 
every Member of this body, and the question is a serious one: Is the 
Senate capable of tackling challenging national security questions in a 
mature and responsible way?
  We have many hard national security challenges before us now. Three 
of those challenges are urgent: the discussions about a potential 
nuclear deal with Iran, the discussions in this body about military 
action by the United States against ISIL, and the deliberations that 
will take place this month about the American budget, which will 
determine whether we have the resources we need to meet our security 
challenges. We have to show the American public--and I would argue the 
world--that we can give these issues the careful consideration they 
deserve, but I am forced to admit that recent events have caused me to 
have some significant doubts about our institutional capacity to tackle 
these issues in a responsible way.
  We recently--at the end of February--ran up to the very brink of 
shutting down the Department of Homeland Security at a time when 
terrorist threats and other threats to our homeland security are so 
obvious on our borders and throughout the world. Thank goodness, after 
a week's extension of funding for Homeland Security, we pulled back 
from the brink. But that did not lead to an increase in confidence in 
this body, that Congress would contemplate not funding the Department 
of Homeland Security.
  Last week there was a joint address to Congress by Prime Minister 
Netanyahu. I spent many hours conversing with Prime Minister Netanyahu 
in his office about Iran and other topics, but I am sad to look at that 
joint address and basically say it was history-making in some 
unfortunate ways.
  Congress has heard from the Prime Minister or President of Israel 
seven times in the last 50 years--eight times if you count last week. 
Last week's address was unusual because it was designed in a partisan 
way. It was an invitation by the leadership of one party with an 
intentional decision not to let the White House know, not to let the 
minority party in Congress know, and to schedule the speech days before 
a contested foreign election, leading many to conclude that it was an 
effort by Congress to affect a foreign election, which we should never 
do.
  Following that speech, a carefully worked bipartisan bill that has 
been introduced in Congress to give Congress an appropriate review role 
over any potential Iranian nuclear deal was basically hijacked. Instead 
of allowing the bill to go through Congress, there was a decision to 
force the bill to the floor for an immediate vote, which was seen by 
all as a partisan move. It was described by one of the Republican 
sponsors of the bill as an effort to embarrass Democrats. Thank 
goodness that at the end of the day that effort to accelerate 
consideration of what was a bipartisan bill was pulled back, and we 
will not be doing that this week. We will be allowing a normal 
committee process. But the fact that the effort was made did damage to 
reasonable bipartisan consideration of this important issue.
  Then yesterday we all awoke to the news that there had been a 
partisan letter signed by 47 Senators--47 of my colleagues, many of 
whom I work with very closely--not to the President saying ``We have 
concerns about a deal, and we are going to weigh in'' but instead to 
the leader of a nation that we characterize as a terrorist state. This 
letter presumed to instruct the nation about what Congress might or 
might not do. The letter was widely viewed as an effort to undercut or 
dilute diplomatic negotiations that are in the best tradition of our 
country, the notion of diplomacy.
  I just came from hearings this morning in the Armed Services 
Committee where we heard what we have heard for 2\1/2\ years: advice 
from our military leadership to the Senate that sequester is hurting 
our national defense. Will you finally listen to us? Will you do 
something about it?
  All of these events over the last few weeks when taken together 
suggest the sad possibility of a Senate that will elevate partisan 
political division over careful and constructive deliberation, even on 
the most critical security issues that affect the security of our 
country and the world. I deeply believe that this body--the Senate and 
Congress generally--has to pull back from the brink of irresponsible 
and partisan action with respect to these critical security questions 
because the stakes are simply too high.

[[Page S1364]]

  With respect to the Iranian nuclear negotiation, I share many of the 
concerns of my 47 colleagues who wrote the letter. I share many of the 
concerns of the Prime Minister that were shared in his speech last 
week. But I deeply believe we should not try to tank a deal, critique a 
deal, or undercut a deal before there is a deal because to the extent 
there are efforts to stand and say this is a bad deal before there is a 
deal, the message that is communicated to the American public and to 
the world is: We will never accept any deal. We are not interested in 
diplomacy. We are not interested in negotiation.
  That attitude plays directly into the hands of the nation of Iran, 
which is currently engaging in terrorist activity. They want to be able 
to blame the absence of any deal on an intransigent United States that 
is unwilling to negotiate in good faith.
  We should not tank a deal before there is a deal. Instead, why don't 
we do what we are supposed to do as the greatest deliberative body in 
the world? Why don't we allow negotiators who have been working in the 
best traditions of American diplomacy to see if they can find a deal 
and then put it on the table for the review of Congress, as has always 
been contemplated?
  I am a proud original cosponsor and worked on the draftsmanship of a 
bipartisan bill that was introduced under the key sponsorship of 
Foreign Relations chair Senator Corker and ranking member Senator 
Menendez to guarantee to Congress an appropriate review of any final 
deal with Iran over their nuclear program if such a deal was reached. 
This is a bill which is rigorously bipartisan--not partisan, not 
political, not rushed, not accelerated, but rigorously bipartisan. It 
respects the ongoing process by allowing the negotiators to do their 
work and see if they can find an outcome. It guarantees Congress a 
debate and vote if a deal includes relief under the congressional 
sanctions Congress has enacted over the years. It is appropriately 
deferential to the Executive, allowing the Executive the flexibility to 
do sanctions relief under Executive or international sanctions that 
have not been part of any congressional statute.
  This is a bipartisan bill which provides some assurance to allies. 
Our allies in the region--allies that are most affected by the Iranian 
nuclear ambitions are not part of the P5+1, whether you are talking 
about Israel or Gulf State nations or Jordan. The nations most affected 
by Iranian nuclear ambitions are not part of the P5+1, and the Corker-
Menendez bill would give them some comfort that a deal, if announced, 
would receive some careful scrutiny in this body.
  Finally, I believe the Corker-Menendez bipartisan approach even 
provides some important assurances to Iran in the negotiation. We want 
Iran to make not small concessions, we want them to make big and bold 
concessions and give up any intent to develop nuclear weapons. But what 
is the likelihood that Iran will make those concessions if they have no 
knowledge about what Congress's intent is vis-a-vis the congressional 
statutory provisions?
  There is a right way and a wrong way to approach these matters. To 
rush it, to label a deal as a bad deal before there is a deal, to make 
it entirely partisan rather than bipartisan, reflecting the will of the 
body, is an effort to undercut negotiations that weakens our President, 
weakens our country, and weakens our credibility; whereas if we proceed 
in a bipartisan way, we can make the deal stronger.
  Similarly--and then I wish to cede the moment to my colleague, the 
Senator from Maine--we are about to start work on another critically 
important issue--whether Congress should finally, after 7-plus months, 
have a debate to authorize an ongoing war against the Islamic State in 
the Levant that was begun on August 8 by the President. We are now in 
the eighth month of a unilateral war, and aside from a Foreign 
Relations Committee vote in committee in December, Congress has not had 
a meaningful vote or debate on this fundamental responsibility. We owe 
it to ourselves and to this institution, we owe it to the important 
national security interests at stake, and especially we owe it to the 
people who are risking their lives in this war--and we have already had 
deaths of American servicemembers as part of Operation Inherent 
Resolve--we owe it to them to show we can have a meaningful debate that 
is not partisan, that is not rushed, but that is careful and 
deliberate. They have been waiting for 7-plus months to see whether 
Congress even cares.
  We are at war by a Presidential act. Does Congress even care enough 
to have the debate on the floor of the Senate and in the House of 
Representatives? Is it just partisanship now? Is it just delay now? 
Does the fact our service men and women are risking their lives even 
matter to us now?
  This is the debate we will be entering into within the next few days, 
starting with the hearing in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee 
tomorrow. We can't afford, on important issues of national security 
such as Iran or such as the war against ISIL, to send the impression to 
our troops, to our citizens, to our global citizens around the world, 
that on these important matters Congress is now just a partisan sort of 
sideshow rather than the deliberative body we were set up to be. We 
have to find a bipartisan path forward on these important security 
issues or we weaken confidence in this institution and in the 
leadership of this country.
  In conclusion, the national security interests that are at stake 
right now before us are fundamental, whether it is about Iran, whether 
it is about the battle against ISIL, or whether it is about the 
budgetary deliberations we will be undertaking this month--a budgetary 
deliberation that will determine whether we can meet our commitments in 
these national security challenges. We have to get these debates right 
for the good of our country and the world, and we have to get them 
right to demonstrate to all that this institution does have the 
maturity to tackle these issues in a reasonable way.
  With that, I yield the last minute or so of my time to my colleague 
from Maine, Senator King.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Cruz). The Senator from Maine.
  Mr. KING. Mr. President, there is little I can add to the remarks of 
the Senator from Virginia on this issue.
  I think this institution is being tested this week, this month, and 
over the next several months in a way that is really somewhat new. The 
test, the question, is: Can we deal with the most serious of issues 
facing this country and the world in a responsible, reasonable, and, 
yes, bipartisan, nonpartisan way?
  I also worked with Bob Corker, Senator Kaine, and the whole group 
that worked on putting together--Senator Menendez--a bipartisan bill to 
provide Congress a role in the approval of whatever deal is struck with 
Iran. I believe Congress should have that role. But in those 
discussions, my concern was that some of our Members will not be able 
to resist the temptation to politicize and make a partisan issue--even 
this grave issue of war and peace, this grave issue that faces this 
country and the entire world--of the possibility of a regime such as 
that in Iran achieving nuclear weapons.
  This is not an ideological debate. This is a serious debate about the 
future of this country. This is one of the most serious negotiations of 
our adult lives. I want Congress to have a role, but I want it to play 
that role weighing the merits, pro or con, the actual materials that 
are in the treaty--in the agreement. I want us to have that role, but I 
want to be sure we can respond to that in a responsible way. Frankly, 
the actions of the last few days have shaken that confidence, because 
we have seen what appears to be an effort to gain political and 
partisan advantage from this gravest of national issues.
  I understand there are differences about what the deal should look 
like and what the terms should be. That is OK. That is what we should 
be discussing. But to turn this into a partisan issue I think does a 
grave disservice to this entire country, and to undercut the President 
in the last stages of the negotiation to me is unprecedented and 
unthinkable.
  I was a young man at the time of the Cuban missile crisis. I cannot 
imagine the Congress of the United States writing a letter to Kruschev 
in the midst of those discussions and saying, Don't worry about this 
guy Kennedy, he doesn't speak for the country. Yet that essentially is 
what took place yesterday. I don't understand the need or the

[[Page S1365]]

helpfulness of such a statement at a time when we were already moving 
toward a bipartisan--I believe probably veto-proof--bill to provide 
this institution with a check on the quality of the deal that is being 
struck.
  It is not productive or helpful to turn issues of this kind into 
partisan issues. I hope we can step back from this partisan posture and 
meet this solemn responsibility to assess what the President and the 
administration and the other five countries--the agreement they come to 
with Iran--to determine whether, indeed, it is in the best interests of 
the region and the world. That is our responsibility. I hope we can 
muster the ability to meet that responsibility in a serious way and 
not, for once, turn it into a partisan issue.
  Thank you, Mr. President.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maryland.


                      Tribute to Federal Employees

     Dr. Francis Collins, Dr. Nancy Sullivan, And Dr. William Gahl

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I wish to take a few moments today to 
speak about Federal workers in general and some of the people at the 
National Institutes of Health in particular.
  Government workers guard our borders, protect us from terrorists, 
treat our wounded veterans, dispense Social Security checks to our 
retirees, find cures for diseases, guide the Nation's air traffic, 
explore the tiniest particles and the vast expanse of outer space, 
ensure our air is safe to breathe, our water is safe to drink, our food 
is safe to eat, support our service men and women in harm's way, and 
promote our interests and ideals abroad. For whom does the government 
work? Government works for America.
  The Washington Post recently reported that since reliable data first 
became available shortly before World War II, the percentage of all 
employed people working for the Federal Government hit an all-time low 
in December. Fewer than 2 percent of the total U.S. workforce is 
employed by the Federal Government. Over nearly the past half century, 
from 1966 to 2012--the most recent year for which comparable data is 
available--the number of Federal workers in the executive branch 
dropped by 83,000. During that time, the U.S. population increased from 
under 200 million to over 300 million people and the gross domestic 
product nearly quadrupled.
  We can argue over whether we want bigger government or smaller 
government, but we should all agree we want better government. We can't 
have better government when Federal workers are constantly under 
assault. We need to stop treating the Federal workforce like a rented 
mule. We need to treat the Federal workforce like the critical asset it 
is.
  A 2011 report by the National Academy of Public Administration and 
the Kettering Foundation concluded that programs operated by civil 
servants receive ``significantly higher'' scores for management and 
effectiveness than those run by ``grant- and contract-based third 
parties.''
  I think part of the problem is that Americans have come to accept 
that Federal workers are nameless, faceless bureaucrats. They aren't. 
They are people who are patriotic Americans and dedicated to public 
service. They have families and support their communities. They have 
been asked to do more and more with less and less while being subjected 
to pay freezes, sequestration-related furloughs, government shutdowns, 
and threats to their benefits. They have contributed $150 billion to 
deficit reduction while still working hard on behalf of all Americans.
  Today, as I mentioned, I wish to focus on the Federal workers at the 
National Institutes of Health. I wish to introduce my colleagues and 
all Americans to a few of the Federal workers who are making life 
better for all of us. But first a description of the NIH so people can 
understand its mission.
  I can sum up its mission in two words: saving lives. The NIH is the 
world's premier biomedical and health-related research facility. Its 
job is to perform and fund the research that helps improve the Nation's 
health--a job it has carried out for over a century.
  I am proud the NIH is headquartered in Maryland, but it is important 
to understand that NIH support of medical research at other research 
institutions has created jobs and fostered economic growth in each and 
every State, while establishing and maintaining the United States as 
the global leader in the life sciences. NIH-supported research added 
$69 billion to our GDP and supported 7 million jobs in 2011 alone.
  In the weeks and months ahead, Congress and the administration will 
have to decide whether they have to replace sequestration with a more 
logical, coherent, strategic, and responsible form of budgeting.
  While we will have disagreements over the details, if anyone needs to 
be convinced about the value of replacing sequestration, look no 
further than the situation at NIH. Funding constraints there not only 
cost people their jobs, they are costing people their lives.
  NIH funding has multiple drivers, but comparing the fiscal year 2013 
figures with the fiscal year 2012 figures, largely because of 
sequestration, approximately 640 fewer competitive research project 
grants were issued and approximately 750 fewer new patients were 
admitted to the NIH Clinical Center. Each these affects a person's 
life. Each of these has consequences when we do not move forward as we 
should.
  A recent survey determined that nearly 20 percent of the biomedical 
scientists have considered leaving the United States due to 
sequestration. We are losing our best. Nearly one-half of the 
scientists surveyed said they have laid off staff in their laboratories 
or are considering laying off staff due to losing NIH grants. More than 
50 percent of the researchers say they have colleagues who have lost 
his or her job.
  What is the impact? Delays in lifesaving medical progress. Medical 
breakthroughs do not happen overnight. In almost all instances, 
breakthrough discoveries result from years of incremental research to 
understand how diseases start and progress. Cuts to research are 
delaying progress in medical breakthroughs, including developing better 
cancer drugs that zero in on a tumor with fewer side effects; research 
on a universal flu vaccine that could fight every strain of influenza 
without needing a yearly shot; preventing debilitating chronic 
conditions that are costly to society and delay development of more 
effective treatments for common and rare diseases affecting millions of 
Americans.
  NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins recently wrote the column 
``Exceptional Opportunities in Medical Science'' in which he describes 
the excitement over ``personalized medicine,'' the BRAIN initiative, 
and development of the Ebola vaccine. He has also shared his concern 
about the budget challenges NIH faces.
  Let me quote from Dr. Collins:

       Although all of these ambitious scientific endeavors offer 
     exceptional promise for advancing human health, the effect 
     that unprecedented budget pressures are having on biomedical 
     research cannot be ignored. Due to inflation, the NIH budget 
     has lost almost 25 percent of its purchasing power over the 
     last decade. The decline has had important consequences. The 
     NIH once funded one in three research proposals, but now only 
     has enough resources to support one in six. As a result, a 
     great deal of excellent science is being left unfunded.

  Last October Dr. Collins stated that cuts in Federal funding slowed 
the development of vaccines and therapies for the deadly Ebola virus, 
saying: ``Frankly, if we had not gone through our 10-year slide in 
research support, we probably would have had a vaccine in time for this 
that would have gone through clinical trials and would have been 
ready.''
  Think about the lives that could have been saved.
  To Americans who wonder what their tax dollars do--well, some go to 
NIH to find treatments and cures for cancer, depression, arthritis, 
substance abuse, addiction, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. To date, 
145 NIH-supported researchers have received or shared 85 Nobel Prizes.
  Not everyone wins a Nobel Prize, so let me talk about people who 
aren't in the spotlight--people some of our colleagues might refer to 
as ``nameless, faceless bureaucrats.'' I will highlight the work of two 
of them today who are making a tremendous contribution as public 
servants.
  Dr. Nancy Sullivan, Chief of the Vaccine Research Center, has been 
working on an Ebola vaccine for nearly two decades, dating back to when 
she was an investigator at the University of Michigan with the then-NIH 
grantee

[[Page S1366]]

and now former Director, Dr. Gary Nabel. Most vaccines spur production 
of a person's immune system's antibodies that block a virus from 
entering the cells, but that approach doesn't work for Ebola.
  Gene-based vaccines can induce additional virus fighters called T-
cells, so that is what Dr. Sullivan created, using pieces of Ebola 
genetic material. It is the most promising approach yet, and it is 
being tested in the parts of West Africa that have been hit the hardest 
with Ebola, where more than 9,000 people have died.
  The concept for Dr. Sullivan's vaccine has been 16 years in the 
making, beginning back when few people outside the global infectious 
disease community had even heard of the deadly disease. Over the years, 
Dr. Sullivan and her team continued to tweak her ideas, constantly 
improving on them. Eventually she followed Dr. Nabel to NIH.
  Many experts in the vaccine research community had begun to believe 
Ebola was insurmountable. They thought it was too aggressive for a 
vaccine to ever protect against it. But Dr. Sullivan never lost heart 
that her work would one day prove successful.
  The Ebola virus infection is a highly lethal disease for which there 
are no effective therapeutic or preventive treatments. Consequently, 
work with these viruses requires highly specialized BSL-4 containment 
labs--the highest biosafety labs. Dr. Sullivan is a leader in the field 
and has personally conducted many of the most critical experiments. Her 
work on immunology and vaccine development is widely considered as some 
of the very best in the field. In spite of the difficulties associated 
with access to BSL-4 labs, her work has consistently been the source of 
novel observations.
  Dr. Sullivan received her Ph.D. in cell biology from Harvard 
University in 1997. She received her master of science in environmental 
engineering in 1989, also from Harvard University.
  I brought a poster to the floor where we see President Obama visited 
NIH to personally congratulate Dr. Sullivan for her incredible work on 
behalf of world health.
  Some people may be familiar with the TV show ``House.'' The main 
character, Dr. Gregory House, is brilliant at diagnosing conditions and 
illnesses that baffle everyone else. The real-life Dr. House is Dr. 
William Gahl, the founding Director of the Undiagnosed Diseases Program 
at NIH. He is America's leading medical detective, a physician 
dedicated to finding answers for long-suffering patients with 
mysterious illnesses that long eluded diagnosis. Dr. Gahl has brought 
together a unique combination of elite medical specialists, 
researchers, and Federal resources to solve baffling illnesses and 
provide desperate patients and their families with information and 
possible solutions and treatments for their often life-threatening 
ailments.
  Results include diagnosis and treatment of diseases so rare they 
don't even have names, plus new genetic discoveries, improved disease 
management, and the advancement of medical knowledge. NIH Director Dr. 
Collins said the Undiagnosed Diseases Program, which Dr. Gahl conceived 
and started, serves as a kind of court of last resort for patients 
without a diagnosis. Dr. Gahl has convinced some of the best, 
brightest, and busiest physicians to participate, and has devoted 
tremendous energy to examining patient records, selecting cases for in-
depth analysis, and helping people who are seriously ill.
  Under Dr. Gahl's stewardship, the program regularly involves a 
collective effort by more than 25 attending physicians of different 
specialties. The cooperation by a diverse group of experts has helped 
create a coherent view of each patient instead of the organ-by-organ 
orientation taken by most specialists. Patients are brought to the NIH 
campus in Bethesda for an intensive week. They meet with a parade of 
specialists who study their medical histories, perform thorough exams, 
and take numerous tests.
  The doctors then meet to discuss what they have seen, discovered, or 
may have missed. They also debate various theories, trying to connect 
the dots, and come up with a possible diagnosis and treatment.
  Scientists working with Dr. Gahl discovered the genetic cause of a 
vascular disorder not previously identified in the medical literature. 
The rare condition, identified in nine individuals, arises in adulthood 
and causes arterial calcification in the hands and feet, but does not 
affect arteries in the heart. The symptoms include acute pain after 
walking more than a short distance. The disorder previously baffled the 
medical field and evaded diagnosis when conventional methods were used.
  In another instance, physicians working with Dr. Gahl identified the 
reason why a woman's muscles had grown painfully large and hard 
underneath her skin, making it increasingly difficult for her to 
perform daily activities. This turned out to be an extremely rare, 
generally fatal complication of multiple myeloma, and the diagnosis by 
the NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program resulted in a stem cell bone 
marrow transplant that allows her to lead a normal life. These are 
people who had no hope, no hope at all. They came to NIH, and they have 
gotten government-supported help to give them hope and to give them 
life.
  Dr. Gahl earned his B.S. in biology from the Massachusetts Institute 
of Technology in 1972 and his M.D. from the University of Wisconsin in 
1976. He obtained a Ph.D. degree in oncology research from Wisconsin's 
McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research in 1981. He has published more 
than 350 peer-reviewed papers and trained 36 biochemical geneticists.
  Dr. Gahl has made a number of seminal discoveries regarding rare 
diseases during his career. He said deciding who to admit into the 
Undiagnosed Diseases Program is always very difficult and much like 
triage on the battlefield. You have to make decisions about where you 
think you can do some good.
  The Undiagnosed Diseases Program serves people who feel helpless, 
have suffered greatly, have waited many years for answers, and must be 
treated with respect and attention. According to Dr. Gahl, the NIH 
caregivers understand the desperation the patients and their families 
feel and try to balance the difficulty finding solutions with a 
realistic measure of hope.
  Dr. John Gallin, Director of the NIH Clinical Center, said Dr. Gahl 
takes cases after everyone else has given up. He said that in a short 
time the program has developed new approaches for investigating, 
understanding, and diagnosing rare disorders, and has added to the body 
of medical knowledge. As Dr. Gallin put it, as a result of the NIH 
Undiagnosed Diseases Program, the language of medicine is changing. The 
different specialists working together now are beginning to find common 
ways.
  Nancy Sullivan and Bill Gahl are just two of the dedicated people who 
work in the Federal Government. They are not nameless, faceless 
bureaucrats. They are dedicated, hard-working Americans trying to make 
life better for all of us under difficult circumstances. At a minimum, 
they deserve our gratitude and respect. They also deserve a predictable 
and reasonable budget to support their critical work.
  In the weeks ahead I will be discussing the accomplishments of other 
outstanding Federal workers so that Americans can understand government 
works for America.
  I yield the floor.

                          ____________________