Political Quotes

“I rise in support of H.R. 3244, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. The illegal trafficking of women and children for prostitution and forced labor is one of the fastest growing criminal enterprises in the world. Globally, between 1 and 2 million people are trafficked each year. Of these, 45,000 to 50,000 are brought to the United States. Some are made to work in illegal sweatshops, while many more are forced into prostitution or domestic servitude here in the United States. There is an increasing need for adequate laws to deter trafficking. This legislation is meant to combat this modern day form of slavery by including provisions to punish traffickers and protect its victims. Specifically, H.R. 3244 would require the Secretary of State to include information on trafficking in the Annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. This bill would also require the President to appoint an Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking and authorizes the Secretary of State to establish an Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking to assist the Task Force. This bill also has strong enforcement mechanisms. For example, H.R. 3244 would establish minimum standards applicable to those countries found to have significant trafficking problems to prevent, punish, and eliminate trafficking. If these countries do not meet the minimum standards, the President would be authorized to withhold nonhumanitarian assistance.”