Portman & Blumenthal Welcome Unanimous Committee Passage of Bipartisan Sex Trafficking Legislation

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) welcomed passage of their legislation, the Stop Enabling Sex Trafficking Act, by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. The bipartisan bill, approved today by a voice vote with no opposition, would ensure that websites that facilitate sex trafficking can be held liable and brought to justice.

"This is a momentous day in our fight to hold online sex traffickers accountable and help give trafficking survivors the justice they deserve," said Portman. "I'm pleased that this bill has now been approved unanimously from committee and I would like to thank Chairman Thune and Ranking Member Nelson for their leadership and support in this effort. I would urge the full Senate to act on this bill as quickly as possible."

"Thanks to the tireless work of advocates, survivors, and a diligent bipartisan coalition of my colleagues, we have taken a critical step forward today in our fight to end online sex trafficking," said Blumenthal. "Momentum is building for our bipartisan bill, due in large part to the growing chorus of voices -- including key figures in the technology sector -- calling for an end to the shameful, shocking practice of selling children for sex. As we continue our fight for passage of the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, I am buoyed by the steadfast support from diverse stakeholders committed to giving victims of sex trafficking their day in court, and bringing online sex traffickers to justice."

The bipartisan Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act would clarify Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to ensure that websites that knowingly facilitate sex trafficking can be held liable so that victims can get justice. This narrowly-crafted legislation offers three reforms to help sex trafficking victims. The bipartisan bill would:

Allow sex trafficking victims to get the justice they deserve by eliminating federal liability protections for websites that assist, support, or facilitate online sex trafficking.
Allow state and local law enforcement to prosecute websites that violate federal sex trafficking laws.

U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), John Cornyn (R-TX), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bob Casey (D-PA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Bob Corker (R-TN), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Lee (R-UT), Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) are original cosponsors of the bill

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