[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 1170-1172]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     ENHANCING SERVICES FOR RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS VICTIMS OF YOUTH 
                        TRAFFICKING ACT OF 2015

  Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 468) to amend the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to increase 
knowledge concerning, and improve services for, runaway and homeless 
youth who are victims of trafficking.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 468

       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 ``Enhancing Services for 
     Runaway and Homeless Victims of Youth Trafficking Act of 
     2015''.

     SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS.

       The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5701 et seq.) 
     is amended--
       (1) in section 343(b)(5)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A) by inserting ``, severe forms of 
     trafficking in persons (as defined in section 103(9) of the 
     Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 
     7102(9))), and sex trafficking (as defined in section 103(10) 
     of such Act (22 U.S.C. 7102(10)))'' before the semicolon at 
     the end;
       (B) in subparagraph (B) by inserting ``, severe forms of 
     trafficking in persons (as defined in section 103(9) of the 
     Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 
     7102(9))), and sex trafficking (as defined in section 103(10) 
     of such Act (22 U.S.C. 7102(10)))'' after ``assault''; and
       (C) in subparagraph (C) by inserting ``, including such 
     youth who are victims of trafficking (as defined in section 
     103(15) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 
     U.S.C. 7102(15)))'' before the semicolon at the end; and
       (2) in section 351(a) by striking ``or sexual 
     exploitation'' and inserting ``sexual exploitation, severe 
     forms of trafficking in persons (as defined in section 103(9) 
     of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 
     7102(9))), or sex trafficking (as defined in section 103(10) 
     of such Act (22 U.S.C. 7102(10)))''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Walberg) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) each 
will control 20 minutes.

[[Page 1171]]

  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 468.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Enhancing 
Services for Runaway and Homeless Victims of Youth Trafficking Act, and 
I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, human trafficking is not just a concern in foreign 
countries. It is happening right here in the United States and many 
times in our own backyards.
  In Michigan, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children 
has referred more than 13,000 CyberTipline reports of suspected child 
sexual exploitation to law enforcement.
  Last Congress, I hosted a series of human trafficking forums in my 
district which brought together county prosecutors, sheriffs, the State 
police, and members of the southern Michigan Task Force on Human 
Trafficking to discuss how our community is dealing with these heinous 
crimes and hear feedback on what additional actions Congress can take 
to help local law enforcement combat trafficking.
  One of the things I heard at my district roundtables is the need for 
improved resources for victims' advocacy and support, especially for 
youth victims and at-risk youth. Federal and State officials, law 
enforcement, the courts, all of us have a moral obligation to eradicate 
trafficking and support its victims.
  It will take close coordination between all stakeholders to achieve 
the dual goals of ending the human trafficking epidemic and assisting 
the victims. That is why I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 468, the 
Enhancing Services for Runaway and Homeless Victims of Youth 
Trafficking Act.
  This legislation will help better serve our most vulnerable youth who 
are victims of extreme trafficking. This legislation amends the Runaway 
and Homeless Youth Act to use existing grant resources to train staff 
on the effects of human trafficking in runaway and homeless youth 
victims and for developing statewide strategies to reach such youth.
  It also allows the Secretary to utilize the existing Street Outreach 
Program to provide street-based services for runaway and homeless youth 
who are victims of trafficking.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, Congressman Joe 
Heck, for his leadership on this bill, as well as the Education and the 
Workforce Committee chairman, Mr. Kline, and the ranking member, Mr. 
Scott, for their work on moving this legislation forward. Our Nation's 
runaway and homeless youth deserve access to services that will help 
them escape a life of crime, abuse, and neglect.
  Passing this simple fix to the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act will 
help ensure that those suffering from the trauma of these deplorable 
crimes will have access to the care and support they need.
  I urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 468, and I reserve the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 468, the Enhancing Services 
for Runaway and Homeless Victims of Youth Trafficking Act of 2015.
  I am honored to join my colleagues, the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. 
Heck), the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg), and the chairman of 
the full committee, Mr. Kline, and appreciate their leadership on this 
important issue.
  Our bill makes important changes in the Runaway and Homeless Youth 
Act, so that victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking can get 
more of the help that they need. We know that trafficking and youth 
homelessness are often affecting the same populations.
  Young people that have run away or are homeless are particularly 
vulnerable to sexual exploitation and trafficking, and programs 
targeted towards the runaway and homeless youth should be 
simultaneously equipped to support victims of trafficking when there is 
such an overlap.
  Research consistently confirms the correlation between running away 
and becoming exploited through prostitution. For example, according to 
a 2006 FBI Uniform Crime Report, girls who run away from their homes, 
group homes, foster homes, or treatment centers are at high risk of 
being targeted by a trafficker or becoming exploited.
  Street outreach programs were created to provide services to runaway 
and homeless and street youth who have been subjected to or are at risk 
of being subjected to sexual abuse. Every year, 25,000 of these young 
people find shelter as a result of these programs.
  The legislation being considered today ensures that street outreach 
programs can rely on funding already available through the Runaway and 
Homeless Youth Act. This allows the Department of Health and Human 
Services to provide street-based services such as individual 
assessments, treatment, counseling, or other shelter for runaway and 
homeless youth who are also victims of trafficking.
  Additionally, the bill authorizes States, organizations, and other 
entities to use runaway and homeless youth research grants for staff 
training to work with these young victims. Such additional training 
will allow service providers to successfully address the behavioral and 
emotional effects of the abuse and assault that these victims endure.
  Our bill also enhances training programs so that staff will be able 
to recognize and respond to the unique needs of trafficking victims. 
This is a small but important change, one necessary to improve services 
available.
  Updating the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act with this legislation is 
an important first step, but it is also important for Congress to 
consider reauthorizing the entire act, which expired last year.

                              {time}  1630

  In the 113th Congress, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a 
bipartisan reauthorization bill that would provide other critical 
support to runaway and homeless youth, including extending time for 
safe and appropriate shelter, establishing performance standards for 
assistance programs, strengthening data collection, and ensuring that 
adequate resources for all runaway and homeless youths are available.
  It is my hope that the House can continue the spirit of 
bipartisanship and comprehensively update the Runaway and Homeless 
Youth Act. Our Nation's most vulnerable youth need us to come together 
and work together on their behalf.
  Meanwhile, Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support 
the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline), the chairman of the Education and 
the Workforce Committee.
  Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding the time 
and for his consistent, continuous leadership on this issue.
  Mr. Speaker, as a father and grandfather, I find it difficult to 
imagine anything more terrifying than a loved one falling victim to 
youth sex trafficking. Yet each year, hundreds of thousands of children 
and families are forced to live with the pain and suffering that stems 
from this deplorable crime.
  Mr. Speaker, let me be clear. This crime is taking place right here 
in our own country. It is impacting our communities, our families, and 
our children. We face a national crisis, and it demands a national 
response.
  Fortunately, there are heroic efforts underway to fight this heinous 
crime, care for the victims, and support their families.
  The dedicated staff at the National Center for Missing and Exploited 
Children, or NCMEC, are on the front lines

[[Page 1172]]

every day identifying victims, assisting law enforcement in the 
recovery of missing children, and returning children to their loved 
ones.
  NCMEC is also partnering with schools and employers to enhance 
support for victims and their families. Parents with children in school 
are probably familiar with Lifetouch photography. Through its SmileSafe 
Kids initiative, Lifetouch is making it easier for parents and NCMEC to 
alert law enforcement of a missing child in order to accelerate the 
search and rescue.
  NCMEC and others are always finding new ways to help, and so should 
we, and that is why we are here today. We have learned too often 
victims fall through the cracks of States' child welfare systems. Those 
who may be runaway or homeless youth do not have access to the full 
range of services they need.
  And believe it or not, due to a flaw in the law, there are times when 
children are treated as criminals--as criminals, Mr. Speaker--rather 
than the victims of a violent crime.
  Congress has an opportunity to address these challenges and 
strengthen our support for victims of youth sex trafficking. I want to 
thank my Republican and Democratic colleagues for working with us on 
this important effort, including Mr. Walberg, as I mentioned earlier; 
the ranking member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, Mr. 
Scott; and Representatives Joe Heck, Karen Bass, and Joyce Beatty.
  I am pleased that in the early days of the 114th Congress, we are 
taking action to address youth sex trafficking. It reflects both the 
seriousness of this crime and our commitment to the victims and their 
families.
  I urge my colleagues to support these important legislative 
proposals.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for his 
statements in support of this legislation, I thank Mr. Heck for 
sponsoring it, and Mr. Kline as the leader on this committee.
  This is a privilege of service in this body, when we can come 
together in a bipartisan fashion to do what is right for our country; 
but, in this case, to do what is right for our defenseless young 
people, many of whom have been caught into a web that offers nothing 
but pain and misfortune for the future. To take a stand on this issue, 
to stand for opportunity, to push back against the dark clouds of crime 
that prey on young people is something that we can stand together on.
  I think we have said significant words in support of this 
legislation. Now it is time to get to work, and the best way to do 
that, Mr. Speaker, as you and I both know, is to pass it.
  So I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 468, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Judiciary and 
Homeland Security Committees, I rise in strong support of H.R. 468, 
``Homeless Victims of Youth Trafficking Act of 2015.''
  I support this bipartisan legislation which amends the Trafficking 
Victims Protection Act of 2000 by inserting the phrase ``sever forms of 
trafficking in persons'' and including ``youth who are victims of 
trafficking,'' in the definitions for the law.
  Mr. Speaker, trafficking in persons is an inconceivable, callous and 
inhumane crime that unquestionably deserves the nation's utmost 
attention. It is particularly difficult to see the victimization of the 
very young who are sold or tricked into becoming victims of Human 
Trafficking.
  I join my colleagues in working to strengthen laws against human 
trafficking, and supporting the allocation of resources to further the 
efforts of law enforcement and aid agencies in identification of youth 
victims and provide vital support to preventing further victimization 
and to reclaim the lives of the most vulnerable among us--our children 
from traffickers.
  It is estimated 2.8 million children living on the streets of this 
nation are at risk for trafficking into the sex industry. Children who 
are abused or victims of molestation are most vulnerable.
  If they are lured into human trafficking they are isolated from the 
rest of the world and start living lives controlled by pimps, escort 
and massage services, private dancing clubs, pornographic clubs and 
much worse.
  The work of the authors of this bill contribute to raising public 
awareness must be at the forefront of our hearts and minds and these 
unlawful, immoral traffickers, beyond a doubt must unavoidably be 
brought to justice. We must seek them out and press them from our 
society by standing up together with a collective voice saying, ``Human 
trafficking stops today, right now, with us.''
  Mr. Speaker, I along with my Colleagues on the Committee on Homeland 
Security held a field hearing in Houston Texas last year on the issue 
of Human Trafficking.
  The day before that hearing local law enforcement with support from 
federal law enforcement agencies raided a house where suspected victims 
of human trafficking were being held.
  According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Houston, Texas is one of 
the nation's largest hubs for human trafficking, with over 200 active 
brothels in Houston and two new ones opening each month.
  In 2006, the Department of Justice National Conference on Human 
Trafficking identified the I-10 corridor as one of the main routes for 
traffickers. Interstate I-10 links the major Texas urban areas Houston, 
San Antonio and El Paso and dozens of mid- and small sized towns in 
between.
  Mr. Speaker, one of the most important things that can and must 
continue to be done is to raise public awareness and force the activity 
of traffickers and their victims out of the shadows into the light.
  Raising the visibility and status of the governmental entities 
charged with the responsibility of documenting the problems, successes, 
and remaining challenges confronting the United States and the 
international community in eradicating the scourge of human trafficking 
is a positive step forward in achieving this goal.
  I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting passage of H.R. 
468.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 468.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________