Political Quotes

“Thank you, Mr. President. First, let me commend Senator Cornyn and Senator Klobuchar for the work they have done on this antitrafficking bill. This is, in fact, a horrendous crime. Just a few months ago in my home State, in Bangor, a couple was arrested for allegedly trafficking a 13-year-old girl. That is what we are talking about, and that is why this legislation is so important. I am proud to be a cosponsor of the bill, and I commend Senator Cornyn and Senator Klobuchar and others for working so hard on it. The antitrafficking bill deals with the law enforcement piece of this horrendous problem. But we also need to pay attention to prevention programs. That is why this afternoon we will vote on a proposal that Senator Leahy and I, along with Senators Heitkamp, Ayotte, Murkowski, and Baldwin, have put forth to reauthorize the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act programs, which already have expired. They expired in 2013. These are absolutely critical programs for preventing homeless youth and runaway youth from ending up in the hands of sex traffickers. The runaway and homeless youth programs are comprised of three programs: the Street Outreach Program, the Basic Center Program, and the Transitional Living Program. They have helped thousands of our homeless youth meet their immediate needs and provided long-term residential services for those who, sadly, cannot be reunited with their families.…”