[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 174 (Wednesday, December 2, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S8248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE NEW CONGRESS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, on another matter, in the past few days 
I have noted some of the achievements of a new Congress that is back to 
work on the side of the American people. We have passed bills no one 
ever thought Washington could touch. We have made reforms that have 
previously languished for years without result. Even more remarkably, 
we have often done so on a bipartisanship basis.
  Consider just the bills I have mentioned already:
  A landmark, bipartisan education bill that would take decisionmaking 
away from distant Federal bureaucrats in order to empower parents and 
teachers instead. The pundits said we would never pass it. We did, 81 
to 17.
  A breakthrough, bipartisan highway bill that would finally provide 
States and local governments the kind of certainty they need to focus 
on longer term road and bridge projects. After years of short-term 
extensions, this long-term highway bill passed the new Senate 65 to 34.
  A milestone, bipartisan cyber security bill that would protect the 
personal information of people we represent by defeating cyber attacks 
through the sharing of information. The issue languished in previous 
Congresses, but this Senate passed it with 74 votes.
  Today, I would like to mention another important bill this new 
Congress has passed. It is hard for many Americans to believe that 
human trafficking--modern-day slavery--can happen where they live, but 
it does right here in our country. It happens in all 50 of our States. 
In Kentucky alone, the Commonwealth has been able to identify more than 
100 victims since they began keeping relevant records in 2013. This 
kind of abuse often begins around the age of 13 or 14.
  The victims of modern slavery deserve a voice. They deserve justice. 
After years of inaction, the new Congress was determined to give them 
both. Of course, there was an unforeseen impediment, to put it mildly, 
to getting this bill done, but success was possible because the new 
majority kept its focus on facts, on substance, and on good policy for 
the people who have always remained our focus throughout the debate, 
the victims of modern slavery.
  The bill we ultimately passed with strong bipartisan support, the 
Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, represents a vital ray of hope 
for the countless victims of modern slavery who need our help. Victims 
groups and advocates told us that this human rights legislation would 
provide unprecedented support to domestic victims of trafficking. They 
urged the Congress to pass it. We did. The President signed it into law 
as well. It proves that with unwavering compassion and unbowed 
determination--something Senator Cornyn knows a thing or two about--
justice can prevail. I am grateful to him and so many other Senators 
for working so hard to ensure that it ultimately did.
  The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act was another important step 
forward for our country. It is another example of what we can achieve 
in a new Congress that is back to work for the American people.

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