Janice Schakowsky: “I strongly support amendment offered by the Gentleman from New Jersey that would provide $30 million to protect and…”

“I strongly support amendment offered by the Gentleman from New Jersey that would provide $30 million to protect and assist victims of trafficking and to help countries meet minimum standards for the elimination of such trafficking. This amendment and this money will demonstrate the United States' commitment to ending one of the worst human rights abuses. It is estimated that 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 women are trafficked annually; half are between the ages of 5 and 15, and 50,000 of those women are transported into the United States. According to the United Nations, trafficking in women and girls is expected to surpass trafficking in drugs and guns as the world's leading illegal industry. Yet we spend billions to fight the illegal importation of drugs and almost nothing on these people who are regularly bought and sold for prostitution, illegal labor, bonded labor, servile marriage, sex tourism, pornography, and use in criminal activities. We take for granted that slavery is a terrible relic of the past, but for these millions of women, they live it every day. Today, we have the opportunity to do something about this absolutely unacceptable practice. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting funding to protect and assist victims of trafficking, and to help countries meet minimum standard for the elimination of such trafficking.”