Ann Wagner: “I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte) for his leadership on this area of human trafficking, along with the…”

“I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte) for his leadership on this area of human trafficking, along with the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Bass), my good friend, for all of her support on this human trafficking issue. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present the Put Trafficking Victims First Act to the House of Representatives. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to address the concerns of victims of human trafficking across our country. Too often, victims of trafficking are overlooked and underserved. This must stop. America needs to afford trafficking victims the same justice, protections, and dignity that other victims of crime receive. In my home State of Missouri, I have met with countless survivors, along with survivors across this country, and I have listened to their painful stories. They need help to rebuild their lives, and that is exactly what my bill will do. {time} 1730 One important place to start is in the courtroom, where we need victim-centered practices oriented toward justice and recovery. For example, victims technically have access to mandatory restitution in Federal courts, but the sad reality is that, according to one estimate, sex trafficking victims get restitution in only 14 percent of Federal sex trafficking cases. This, Mr. Speaker, is unacceptable. My bill will direct the Attorney General to make mandatory restitution mandatory and implement victim-friendly procedures in Federal criminal cases.…”