On the recordMarch 12, 2015
I wish to associate myself with the remarks of my friend from California, Senator Boxer. I rise today to speak against attempts to turn this bill--the Justice for Trafficking Victims Act--into a political football. While there are many issues that may divide this Congress--and certainly the issue of choice for women is one of them--human trafficking should not be one of those divisive issues. This bill started off as a bipartisan bill, but along the way a provision was added to the bill that brings me to the floor today in opposition to that provision. Not only do I oppose the substance of that provision, but I very much object to how the provision was added to the bill unbeknownst to the sponsors of this bill such as myself. Buried in this bill is a provision that allows government to dictate a woman's health care options, and this provision would limit choices for women who have been victimized by human trafficking. Women are often forced to endure rape and violence on a daily basis. That is what human trafficking is. This is an unprecedented and, I have to say, appalling expansion of government's role in women's health care decisions. The provision is anti-women and anti-victim. This body should be working to help these victims of trafficking violence, not playing politics with their lives. But that is not what we are seeing today.…
