[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 42 (Thursday, March 12, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S1475]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HUMAN TRAFFICKING LEGISLATION

  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. President, I rise today to discuss the Justice for 
Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015. I am proud to join with my 
colleagues to cosponsor this important legislation, and I applaud 
Senator Cornyn and Senator Klobuchar for putting together this 
bipartisan bill.
  The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act is a call to action. We 
heard a lot of discussion about it on the floor over the last several 
days. The horrible crime of human trafficking impacts thousands of 
Americans--mostly women and children--each year, and it occurs in 
cities, suburbs, and in rural towns. We cannot allow this horrendous 
crime to continue.
  Last year, I hosted a forum at West Virginia State University to 
discuss how we could help in West Virginia to combat human trafficking. 
The event was very well attended and featured law enforcement 
advocates, academics, and State lawmakers. I also supported several 
bills when I was in the House of Representatives to further this fight 
and end this vicious crime.
  It is monstrous to consider the sexual exploitation of a human being, 
especially a child. We must stand up for those voices that have been 
silenced and say ``no more.''
  While not in large numbers, trafficking occurs in West Virginia's 
small communities and towns, in our hotels and in our truck stops, in 
schools, and online. Several things contribute to trafficking in the 
Mountain State--the interstates running in and around, our high poverty 
and unemployment rates. We also have a drug epidemic which contributes 
to this problem.
  I am working in a bipartisan way with Senator Joe Donnelly to address 
this drug epidemic, but we must also say ``no more'' to this shameful 
crime.
  The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act will make it easier for 
law enforcement to identify and address patterns of human trafficking. 
It takes a needed two-pronged approach. It bolsters the tools available 
to law enforcement to crack down on human traffickers and helps victims 
restore their lives through increased Federal resources.
  We need to take care of our sons, our daughters, and our neighbors 
and keep our eyes and our ears open. This is not a Republican or 
Democratic issue; it is a human issue. Now is the time to stand up and 
say ``no more'' to human trafficking. Now is the time to show broad 
support for these victims and punish traffickers to the fullest extent 
of the law.
  This bill has gone through a very transparent process. It was 
carefully considered and unanimously approved in the Senate Judiciary 
Committee. It has been available for every Senator or member of the 
public to read for months. Earlier this week each and every Senator 
consented to consider this bill on the Senate floor. It has widespread 
support from over 200 advocacy groups, including the NAACP, the 
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Rights4Girls, the 
National Association to Protect Children, the Fraternal Order of 
Police, and the National Conference of State Legislatures.
  The innocent victims of human trafficking have suffered enough. Now 
is the time for us to join together and pass this legislation and take 
a significant step to end this crime.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Virginia.

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