[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 41 (Monday, October 16, 2000)]
[Page 2357]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on House of Representatives Action on the ``Victims of 
Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000''

October 6, 2000

    I applaud the House of Representatives for passing vital legislation 
today to combat trafficking in humans and strengthen and reauthorize the 
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The ``Trafficking Victims Protection 
Act'' will provide important new tools in the campaign to combat 
trafficking, a modern form of slavery and an insidious human rights 
abuse. VAWA, which expired on September 30, has significantly improved 
the lives of thousands of women who are victims of domestic violence and 
has assisted State, local, and tribal law enforcement to combat domestic 
violence and sexual assault. It is imperative that this law be 
reauthorized this year, and I urge the Senate to pass this legislation 
without delay.

Note: This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.