Chris Smith: “I thank Mrs. Noem for yielding and for the leadership that she has demonstrated, along with Congresswoman Wagner. As…”

“I thank Mrs. Noem for yielding and for the leadership that she has demonstrated, along with Congresswoman Wagner. As Judge Poe said, women of our caucus have stood up and are leading the fight to combat human trafficking with a zero tolerance policy. This is an historic week in the House as we seek to pass 12 bills to fight human trafficking. As the prime author of the landmark Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 as well as reauthorizations of that law in 2003 and 2005, I believe the bills under consideration by the House today and tomorrow will further prevent horrific crimes of human trafficking, protect and assist victims, and aid the prosecution of those who exploit and abuse. A special thanks to our Republican leadership, especially Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who have made this a priority for the House. Hopefully, it will be extended to the Senate, and the President will follow that lead. When I first introduced TVPA, Trafficking Victims Protection Act, in 1998, the legislation was met with a wall of skepticism and opposition. People both inside of government and out thought the bold new legislation that included sheltering, asylum, and other protections for the victims, long jail sentences and asset confiscation for the traffickers, and tough sanctions for governments that failed to meet minimum standards was merely a solution in search of a problem. {time} 1815 Mr.…”