Political Quotes

“I appreciate the Senator's question and his partnership with me on this legislation to advance the fight against modern-day slavery. Our bill and the underlying Trafficking Victims Protection Act are designed to eliminate forced labor around the world and do not affect the Exchange Visitor Programs, under the J-1 visa, which is authorized by Congress and administered by the State Department. The J-1 exchange programs are important tools that Congress authorized to enhance mutual exchange and cultural understanding between people in the United States and other countries, and they are subject to regulatory safeguards and oversight by the Department of State. Recruitment and placement fees referenced in S. 1862 and the Trafficking Victims Protection Act are fundamentally different from the program fees in our international exchange programs, which are fees required to be charged to program participants who receive J-1 visas in order to fund the program. Our legislation does not affect the exchange programs, which are an important diplomatic tool which I strongly support.”