Extension of Authorization for Special Assessment for Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund

Floor Speech

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Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 4785) to extend by 19 days the authorization for the special assessment for the Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: S. 4785

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION FOR SPECIAL ASSESSMENT FOR DOMESTIC TRAFFICKING VICTIMS' FUND.

Section 3014(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``September 11'' and inserting ``September 30''.

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Mr. NADLER. 4785.

Mr. Speaker, S. 4785 is bipartisan legislation that would extend until September 30 of this year, 2022, the mandatory special assessment of $5,000 imposed on those convicted of certain offenses involving sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or human trafficking.

Human trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar criminal industry that denies freedom to 24.9 million people around the world and generates more than $150 billion annually in illicit profits. It is a reprehensible crime that touches communities across the country--from major cities to suburban enclaves and rural back roads--and can cause devastating, sometimes irreparable harm to victims who fall prey to cunning traffickers.

The fight against human trafficking requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary strategy that includes prosecution of traffickers so that they cannot harm again, protection of victims through services to increase safety and treat trauma, and prevention efforts to alleviate social vulnerabilities to exploitation.

From providing immediate, emergency care when victims are identified to long-term care that helps survivors recover from their victimization, victim assistance is vital to the Federal anti- trafficking strategy and efforts to combat sexual abuse and exploitation as well as child pornography, which continue to be a threat to our children and other vulnerable persons.

The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, commonly referred to as the JVTA, requires Federal sentencing judges to impose a special assessment of $5,000 on those convicted of Federal crimes involving sexual abuse, child pornography, sexual exploitation, or human trafficking.

The fees collected from the special assessment are transferred to the Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund and used to fund and enhance vital services and programming that assist victims and survivors who have been abused, exploited, and/or trafficked.

This past Sunday, the provision that requires judges to impose the special assessment expired, which necessitates the passage of this extension until the end of the fiscal year when it can be renewed as part of other ongoing legislation to fund the government.

Congress must do all we can to ensure that resources are available to support the needs of victims and survivors of human trafficking, sexual abuse, and sexual exploitation, who often have complex needs requiring a broader array of trauma-focused services and treatment.

Although we are considering the bill as introduced by Senators Klobuchar and Cornyn, I must also thank Representative Karen Bass for her work to introduce the House companion, H.R. 8684, and for her continued dedication to helping victims and survivors of human trafficking, sexual abuse, and sexual exploitation.

S. 4785 is bipartisan legislation that would extend the $5,000 special assessment that provides funding to help victims and survivors of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, child pornography, and human trafficking, through services, programming, and treatment tailored to their specific needs.

Each of us should make every effort to support programs that help rescue survivors of these reprehensible crimes and provide them with the resources they need to become whole again, while also holding perpetrators accountable for the harms they cause.

I urge all my colleagues to support S. 4785, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 4785, bipartisan legislation that would extend the authorization of the $5,000 special assessment for the Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund.

Human trafficking is one of the greatest ongoing threats to human rights in the world--and in this country.

An estimated 25 percent of human trafficking victims are reportedly in my home state of Texas, with Houston being one of the largest hubs for human trafficking in the country. And although some populations are at greater risk of victimization than others, human trafficking spans all races, ages, genders, and every socioeconomic status.

In 2020, the National Human Trafficking Hotline identified more than 16,000 victims of human trafficking, who likely represent only a fraction of the actual problem.

In that same year, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received more than 21.7 million reports, most of which were related to child sexual abuse material, online enticement, child sex trafficking, and child sexual molestation.

Victims who have been exploited or abused sexually or trafficked, whether for labor or sex, require and deserve victim-focused, culturally informed responses from well-trained providers and law enforcement, that direct them towards emergency and long-term services critical to sustaining them as they heal.

Funding and grants--from the Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund to develop, expand, strengthen, and provide these victim services and programming--derive from the mandatory special assessment, which is imposed on perpetrators convicted of human trafficking, sexual abuse and exploitation, and child pornography.

Because it is our duty not only to ensure victims and survivors of these ghastly crimes are not re-victimized but also to provide them with services that help them successfully re-integrate into society, we must extend the authorization of the $5,000 special assessment.

I support S. 4875 and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

We must also continue to shape legislation to improve upon the U.S. antitrafficking response--as well as other legislation and programming aimed at preventing sexual exploitation and sexual abuse and protecting victims and survivors--particularly our children and youth.

That is why I introduced H.R. 7566, the Stop Human Trafficking in School Zones Act, to ensure schools are safe havens for students.

It is my hope that my bill, which was ordered to be reported favorably by voice vote, will be brought to the floor for consideration soon.

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