Ann Wagner: “And Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3530, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. H.R. 3530 is a…”

“And Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3530, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. H.R. 3530 is a comprehensive, multipronged approach to address the problem of human trafficking in the United States. The sponsor of this legislation, Congressman Ted Poe, is a friend, colleague, and kindred spirit to me on the issue of human trafficking. As a former judge, Congressman Poe has drawn from his experience on the bench to craft a bill that would provide support and aid to victims of trafficking, as well as training for law enforcement and other first responders. Madam Speaker, H.R. 3530 is one of the most comprehensive and inclusive human trafficking bills proposed to date. H.R. 3530 provides grants to help State and local governments offer services to victims in order to give the survivors of human trafficking the sanctuary and counseling they so desperately need after suffering through and surviving this brutal crime. Perhaps most importantly, H.R. 3530 addresses the demand side of human trafficking by clarifying that buyers should be prosecuted along with pimps. Madam Speaker, for too long those who patronize child prostitutes have been overlooked. H.R. 3530 encourages law enforcement to target and punish persons who purchase elicit sexual activities from trafficking victims not as petty criminals but as serious offenders, the serious offenders that they are. For these reasons and others, Madam Speaker, I support H.R.…”