[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 11, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S1398]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HUMAN TRAFFICKING LEGISLATION

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, an ancient Greek philosopher once said, ``To 
be doing good deeds is man's most glorious task.''
  Today the Senate has an opportunity to do a good deed. We have a 
chance to do something to address human trafficking. It is hard to 
fathom that in the 21st century, slavery continues to rear its ugly 
head in the form of human trafficking. But in the shadows of American 
society, there are children, women, and men who are literally being 
enslaved and subjected to the most shockingly inhumane treatment 
imaginable. The victims of human trafficking suffer physical and sexual 
abuse and violence. Forced to live in squalor, they have no hope. This 
legislation before this body aims to change that. It seeks to not only 
prevent trafficking but also gives survivors hope for a new life.
  This legislation creates a domestic trafficking victims fund that 
will help support victims of trafficking and child pornography get back 
on their feet by providing housing, job training, and other support 
services. This legislation provides funding to train law enforcement in 
rescuing and supporting survivors of human trafficking and effectively 
prosecuting traffickers. It officially designates child pornography as 
a form of human trafficking and ensures that victims have direct access 
to child advocacy centers. It protects victims and witnesses by 
treating suspected human traffickers as violent criminals. It keeps 
victims of trafficking and child pornography informed regarding any 
plea bargain or deferred prosecution related to their cases.
  This legislation is good for our country. It will go a long way in 
curbing human trafficking and child pornography. That is why it is 
supported by 200 law enforcement and victims' rights groups nationwide.
  Unfortunately, Republicans are committed to turning a bipartisan bill 
into an unrelated and unconscionable political fight. We can give all 
the speeches out here we want saying somebody should have read the bill 
more closely. The question is--and we can have all kinds of debates out 
here as to how it got in the bill. A number of people feel it was by a 
little bit of sleight of hand and that it shouldn't be in there. In 
this legislation that is meant as an outline to stop child trafficking 
and human trafficking generally, there is a provision dealing with 
abortion. It has nothing--nothing--to do with this.
  I served in the House of Representatives with a very fine man. He has 
had his name affixed to an anti-abortion bill--anti-abortion 
legislation for almost three decades, and it has been continued year 
after year in appropriations bills. What I am talking about, what is 
happening in this legislation, it would make it permanent. It is wrong.
  If my friend the Republican leader is so in tune with getting this 
passed, take that provision out of the bill; otherwise, it will not 
pass. Take it out.
  It is unfortunate that Republicans are committed to turning a 
bipartisan bill into an unrelated, unconscionable political fight. Is 
it worth it? Is it really worth endangering a piece of legislation that 
would do good for our country?
  Democrats will not allow a bill to prevent human trafficking and 
child pornography to be hijacked by a Republican ploy. We can do a lot 
of good with this legislation, and I hope my Republican friends will 
choose to do the right thing and take this out of this legislation and 
pass this bill without any gimmicks.

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