[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 84 (Thursday, May 26, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TESTIMONY OF CONGRESSMAN TED POE (TX-02) TO THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE: 
COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY AND CIVIL JURISPRUDENCE IN REGARDS TO CHARGE NO. 
                                   1

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 2016

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as a former Harris County Judge and 
prosecutor and the cofounder and chairman of the Congressional Victims' 
Rights Caucus, protecting the most vulnerable in our society is a top 
priority for me.
  I first learned about human trafficking when I was overseas in the 
Ukraine and soon discovered that modern day slavery occurs in the 
United States as well, including all around Texas, which is 
unfortunately a hub given its proximity to the border and many large 
highways, ports, and airports.
  The United States views itself as a leader in the fight against human 
trafficking, even going as far as to grade other countries on their 
efforts to combat trafficking in persons. Yet, before the Justice for 
Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA) became law, I heard about common 
issues from anti-trafficking organizations on the national, state, and 
local levels as well as law enforcement and local leaders:
  The federal government barely funds efforts to combat trafficking in 
the United States.
  Trafficking victims are often arrested and treated as criminals, but 
buyers are often not.
  Many Americans including those that interact with trafficking 
victims--law enforcement, educators, medical professionals, and others 
--do not know about human trafficking or understand how to identify 
victims.
  A bipartisan, bicameral group of Members of Congress, led in the 
House by myself, a Texas Republican, and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, 
a New York Democrat, and in the Senate by a Texas Republican, Senator 
John Cornyn, an Oregon Democrat, Senator Ron Wyden, who came together, 
recognizing these issues, and wrote a bill to address them, relying a 
lot on what we learned from Texas, a trailblazer in addressing human 
trafficking.
  A core provision of JVTA is the Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund. 
It is clear that more resources need to be put towards human 
trafficking, but the question is where to get the money. The answer is 
to supplement current funding, which should be a priority through 
general appropriations, with financing from the criminals. Let those 
who harm vulnerable people pay for the damage they have caused. A 
$5,000 special assessment is collected from those convicted of human 
trafficking and other related charges, which goes into the Domestic 
Trafficking Victims' Fund to finance grant programs that address 
trafficking including law enforcement operations, training, and 
victims' services.
  A fundamental goal of JVTA is for victims of human trafficking to be 
treated as victims and not criminals. This is addressed in a number of 
provisions in the law, including a newly created community-based block 
grant. The grant promotes the use of a collaborative model (government 
and non-profits working together) by cities and states to address child 
trafficking through the enhancement of anti-trafficking law enforcement 
units, the creation or continuation of problem solving courts like the 
GIRLS court in Houston, and shelters and services for victims. The bill 
also changes statutory language that references child prostitution to 
child trafficking and encourages a safe harbor model in the states.
  We also focus on the demand--buyers, those that exploit women and 
children. While many call these people ``johns,'' I call them child 
molesters. John is a name from the Bible, a good guy, not someone who 
pays money to abuse a fellow person. JVTA clarifies that those who buy 
sex from trafficking victims are human traffickers, can and should be 
punished under federal law, and are subject to the same penalties as 
sellers. Gone are the days of boys being boys. We can no longer turn a 
blind eye to this crime.
  These core provisions of the legislation guide JVTA as a whole as a 
victim-centered, tough on crime, fiscally responsible measure that 
makes certain that the United States is truly a leader in ending modem 
day slavery.
  I commend the Texas Legislature for making our state a leader in 
fighting against the scourge of human trafficking. I appreciate the 
weight given to this important bill and look forward to continuing to 
work together to protect our children, the vulnerable in our society, 
and making sure the bad guys pay.
  A society will be judged by how it treats the most vulnerable.
  And that's just the way it is.

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