[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 23, 2017)]
[House]
[Pages H4480-H4483]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY BLUE CAMPAIGN AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2017
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 1370) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require
the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue Department of Homeland
Security-wide guidance and develop training programs as part of the
Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign, and for other purposes,
as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1370
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Homeland
Security Blue Campaign Authorization Act of 2017''.
SEC. 2. ENHANCED DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY COORDINATION
THROUGH THE BLUE CAMPAIGN.
(a) In General.--Subtitle C of title IV of the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 231 et seq.) is amended by
adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 434. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY BLUE CAMPAIGN.
``(a) In General.--There is authorized in the Department a
unified, anti-human trafficking campaign to be known as the
`Blue Campaign'. As part of the Blue Campaign, the Secretary
shall--
``(1) issue Department-wide guidance to appropriate
personnel of the Department;
``(2) develop training programs for such personnel; and
``(3) coordinate departmental efforts, including training
for such personnel.
``(b) Guidance and Training.--The Blue Campaign shall
provide guidance and training to appropriate personnel of the
Department regarding the following:
``(1) Programs for such personnel, as well as Federal,
State, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement
entities, to help identify instances of human trafficking and
potential connections to terrorist activities, including
along the borders of the United States.
``(2) Systematic and routine information sharing between
and among the components of the Department and the National
Network of Fusion Centers regarding individuals suspected or
convicted of human trafficking and patterns and practices of
human trafficking and potential connections to terrorist
activities, including along the borders of the United States.
``(3) Techniques to identify suspected victims of
trafficking along the borders of the United States.
``(4) Techniques specifically for Transportation Security
Administration personnel to--
[[Page H4481]]
``(A) identify suspected victims of trafficking at airport
security; and
``(B) serve as a liaison and resource to aviation workers
and the traveling public.
``(5) Utilizing resources to educate partners and
stakeholders and increase public awareness of human
trafficking, such as indicator cards, fact sheets, pamphlets,
posters, brochures, and radio and television campaigns.
``(6) Leveraging partnerships with governmental, non-
governmental, and private sector organizations at the State
and local levels to raise public awareness of human
trafficking and potential connections to terrorist
activities, including along the borders of the United States.
``(7) Any other activities determined necessary by the
Secretary as part of the Blue Campaign.
``(c) Definition.--In this section, the term `human
trafficking' means an act or practice described in paragraph
(9) or (10) of section 103 of the Trafficking Victims
Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102).''.
(b) Information Technology Systems.--Not later than one
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure that, consistent
with the Department of Homeland Security-wide guidance
required under subsection (a) of section 434 of the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 (as added by subsection (a) of this
section), information technology systems utilized within the
Department to record and track information regarding
individuals suspected or convicted of human trafficking (as
such term is defined in such section 434) are capable of
systematic and routine information sharing.
(c) Oversight.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security
shall report to the Committee on Homeland Security of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate on the status
and effectiveness of the Blue Campaign.
(d) Authorization.--For each of fiscal years 2018 through
2022, $819,000 is authorized to carry out section 434 of the
Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by subsection (a) of
this section.
(e) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of the
Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 433 the following new item:
``Sec. 434. Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. McCaul) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Vela) each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul).
General Leave
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 1370, to
combat human trafficking. According to the FBI, human trafficking,
which includes forced labor, domestic servitude, and commercial sex
trafficking, is the third largest criminal activity in the world. It is
a multibillion-dollar industry that enslaves 20 million innocent
victims around the world.
We need a collaborative multiagency approach to combat this criminal
activity. My bill recognizes and supports the work of the Department of
Homeland Security to join these partners to combat this scourge on our
society. This bill authorizes a vital lifesaving campaign at the
Department to prevent human trafficking.
This campaign is called the Blue Campaign. It is a Department-wide
effort to conduct outreach and raise awareness of trafficking. It
provides training and materials to those in the best position to
identify trafficking victims. This campaign works in collaboration with
law enforcement, governmental and private organizations to identify and
save those victims.
The Blue Campaign has entered into agreements to provide training,
raise awareness, and combat human trafficking. Currently, it enlists
the help of numerous organizations who have witnessed trafficking such
as airlines, hotels, truck stops, convenient stores, and package
delivery services.
The Department uses the resources and expertise of the CBP, ICE,
USCIS, and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers to help with
this effort. Of note, my bill adds the Transportation Security
Administration to this fight by training its personnel to recognize the
victims of trafficking and pull these victims out of its viscous cycle.
My bill also requires the Department to share information on patterns
of trafficking and possible connections with terrorist activity, both
internally and with the National Network of Fusion Centers.
In 2014, I held a field hearing in Houston, Texas, to address the
issue of human trafficking in our major cities, and we heard personally
from the victims their stories of sexual abuse and human trafficking.
That hearing highlighted the importance of collaboration and community
involvement in combating this terrible crime. This DHS campaign
furthers these collaboration efforts.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this legislation and the
efforts of the Department to address human trafficking.
I thank Chairman Goodlatte of the Judiciary Committee for his
cooperation in bringing this bill to the floor.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on the Judiciary,
Washington, DC, May 5, 2017.
Hon. Michael T. McCaul,
Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman McCaul: I write with respect to H.R. 1370,
the ``Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign
Authorization Act.'' As a result of your having consulted
with us on provisions within H.R. 1370 that fall within the
Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on the Judiciary, I
forego any further consideration of this bill so that it may
proceed expeditiously to the House floor for consideration.
The Judiciary Committee takes this action with our mutual
understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 1370 at
this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over subject
matter contained in this or similar legislation and that our
committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as
this bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may
address any remaining issues in our jurisdiction. Our
committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of an
appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate
conference involving this or similar legislation and asks
that you support any such request.
I would appreciate a response to this letter confirming
this understanding with respect to H.R. 1370 and would ask
that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be
included your committee report and in the Congressional
Record during floor consideration of H.R. 1370.
Sincerely,
Bob Goodlatte,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Homeland Security,
Washington, DC, May 11, 2017.
Hon. Bob Goodlatte,
Chairman, Committee on Judiciary,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Goodlatte: Thank you for your letter
regarding H.R. 1370, the ``Department of Homeland Security
Blue Campaign Authorization Act of 2017.'' I appreciate your
support in bringing this legislation before the House of
Representatives, and accordingly, understand that the
Committee on Judiciary will forego further consideration of
the bill.
The Committee on Homeland Security concurs with the mutual
understanding that by foregoing consideration of this bill at
this time, the Judiciary does not waive any jurisdiction over
the subject matter contained in this bill or similar
legislation in the future. In addition, should a conference
on this bill be necessary, I would support your request to
have the Committee on Judiciary represented on the conference
committee.
I will insert copies of this exchange in the report and the
Congressional Record during consideration of this bill on the
House floor. I thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Michael T. McCaul,
Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security.
Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1370, the Department of
Homeland Security Blue Campaign Authorization Act of 2017.
Mr. Speaker, human trafficking is a $32 billion-per-year global
industry, making it one of the most profitable forms of transnational
crime with more than 20 million victims worldwide. Each year an
estimated 17,500 innocent people are trafficked into the United States;
almost half of those individuals are children.
Trafficking victims can be of any age, race, gender, or nationality,
and are largely found in workplaces within the manufacturing,
agriculture, hospitality, and domestic service industries. Since 2010,
the mission of the Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign has
been to bring DHS components together with Federal, State,
[[Page H4482]]
and local law enforcement agencies, private industry, and other
nongovernmental entities to combat human trafficking.
The Blue Campaign has provided the Department with the necessary
structure to uniformly train personnel in its components to identify
and investigate these criminal activities. The Blue Campaign has proven
an effective mechanism through which DHS and its law enforcement
partners collaborate to dismantle human trafficking networks across the
country and bring perpetrators to justice.
The public awareness and outreach efforts launched through the Blue
Campaign provide the general public, nongovernmental organizations, and
private sector entities with tools to be active partners in the Federal
Government's efforts to assist victims of human trafficking and prevent
others from being exploited.
Earlier this year, DHS recognized its partners in the transportation
and hospitality industries for training their employees and customers
about how they can help combat human trafficking by identifying the
signs and reporting suspected incidents.
Over the years, the program has proven to be an important,
multifaceted tool that leverages both government and private sector
resources with the goal of ending the exploitation of vulnerable
people. H.R. 1370 codifies the important program and emphasizes the
importance of clear guidance and training for all Blue Campaign
partners.
This bill also underscores the importance of timely and routine
information sharing amongst DHS components to ensure unity of effort in
preventing and disrupting human trafficking. As a cosponsor of H.R.
1370, I believe that it is our responsibility as Members of Congress to
do whatever it takes to stop the illegal and immoral smuggling of
innocent people into the United States by transnational criminal
organizations.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my House colleagues to support H.R. 1370, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
South Dakota (Mrs. Noem).
Mrs. NOEM. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman also for
bringing up this important issue today.
Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 1370, the Department of
Homeland Security Blue Campaign Authorization Act. A few years ago, law
enforcement officers in South Dakota placed undercover ads on the
internet, and they weren't pretending to sell illegal drugs. What they
were pretending to sell was young girls.
In less than 2 days, over 100 individuals responded to that ad. Many
of them were hoping to buy children for sex. Similar operations were
conducted across the State in following months, and they had similar
results. Many times, when folks think of human trafficking, they often
picture a place far away overseas, but the fact is that it is happening
right here--in our backyards many times.
Those being targeted are often children, 12 or 14 years old,
sometimes even younger. They are forced to turn tricks up to 50 times a
day while their pimps work hard to get them addicted to alcohol and
drugs so that they can further control them and their lives. It also
deepens their dependence on their trafficker.
Last Congress, we passed significant antitrafficking legislation,
which I am incredibly proud of, but there is still more that needs to
be done. Time and again, South Dakota advocates tell me that awareness
remains a challenge, but a challenge that we can work together to
overcome. That is ultimately the purpose of this legislation that we
are considering today.
Through the enhanced Blue Campaign, we can offer Americans from all
walks of life the information that they need to spot trafficking in
their backyards. If more people are aware of distress signals and how
to respond, we can move faster towards ending human trafficking
together.
Mr. Speaker, for this reason, I urge my colleagues to support H.R.
1370.
Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Poe).
Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for bringing up
this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, this past February, in my hometown of Houston, Texas, we
hosted the 51st Super Bowl. For most Americans, the Super Bowl is a
fun-filled day spent with friends, family, and cheering on our favorite
team. But for human traffickers, the Super Bowl has become an annual
opportunity to expand their evil, criminal empire.
Studies show that big events like the Super Bowl create large upticks
in the trafficking and purchasing of sex trafficking victims. In order
to counteract this, the Department of Homeland Security, as a part of
its Blue Campaign initiative, began preparing months in advance before
the Super Bowl in Houston.
Through the Blue Campaign, the Department of Homeland Security raises
public awareness, it forges antitrafficking partnerships, and brings
suspected human traffickers to justice. Most importantly, it rescues
victims of the sex trafficking trade.
In advance of the last Super Bowl, the Blue Campaign worked with
local, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies on the ground, as
well as participating in several congressional briefings. One such
briefing I hosted here in Washington.
Everybody working together, all different law enforcement agencies,
State, local, and Federal, had a great result in what occurred in
Houston. Over 750 people were arrested, and 86 victims were rescued.
Many more were likely spared being forced into the trafficking
industry.
Having worked closely with the Blue Campaign on this, and many other
operations, I have seen firsthand the important role the Department of
Homeland Security has in fighting the scourge of human trafficking.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, trafficking is second only to the drug
trade in the amount of money, criminal money, it brings in. And the
Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign Authorization Act will
ensure that the critically important program continues to provide
safety to victims and gets some justice to the traffickers and those
would-be buyers of little children.
Mr. Speaker, I commend the chairman for this legislation.
And that is just the way it is.
Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1370 was unanimously approved by the Committee on
Homeland Security earlier this year. The partnerships that DHS has
established through the Blue Campaign are critical to stopping criminal
activity that comes with a tragically high human cost.
By leading the charge and identifying and closing all possible
avenues through which human traffickers smuggle people into the United
States, DHS plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of children
and other innocent people. Joint, concerted efforts that bring together
law enforcement, nongovernmental entities, and private industry, and
raise public awareness of this criminal activity, are important to
ending the practice altogether.
We must continue to support this unity of effort in order to aid and
protect victims of human trafficking, and bring those who exploit them
to justice.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman McCaul for his leadership in this
effort, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1370, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
{time} 1645
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Let me also thank my colleague, Mr. Vela, for his steadfast support
of this legislation, as well as the entire Homeland Security Committee,
which has worked in a very bipartisan fashion on this very important
issue.
This is not a matter of politics. It is a matter of saving our
children from trafficking and sex abuse. We have all heard the stories.
We have heard some of those here today, but I think there is nothing
more criminal, other than perhaps what ISIS did yesterday, than the
exploitation of children. Of course, that is what ISIS did yesterday in
killing innocent children and teenagers outside a concert hall.
The issue of human trafficking brings it to full bear: bringing
children into
[[Page H4483]]
this country and exploiting them, selling them on the black market, and
sexually abusing them for a very long time.
This bill is important and necessary. It really supports, codifies,
and gives congressional backing and support to a very important program
within the Department, and that is the Blue Campaign.
I also want to thank Secretary Kelly of Homeland Security for showing
the leadership to come forward with this campaign to address this
horrible crime against our children and those moving into adulthood.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 1370, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________