Sheila Jackson Lee: “As a senior member of the Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2283, ``Human…”

“As a senior member of the Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2283, ``Human Trafficking Prioritization Act of 2014.'' I support this bipartisan legislation which modifies the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to elevate the status of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking to that of the Bureau to Combat Trafficking in Persons, which shall be headed by an Assistant Secretary of State. The office produces the annual Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP Report), which is Congress' primary resource for human trafficking reporting, analysis and recommendations for the United States and 186 countries around the world. The TIP Report also contains tier rankings of each country on which it reports, which are used to help protect victims, prevent trafficking and prosecute traffickers. Mr. Speaker, I agree with many thoughtful observers that the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking would be even more effective in carrying out the duties mandated by Congress in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 if its status was elevated from that of ``Office'' to a ``Bureau'' within the department hierarchy and the title of its chief administrator elevated from ``director'' to Assistant Secretary of State.'' Human trafficking is a problem for the United States because the U.S.…”