Westerman Applauds Passage of Sex-Trafficking Legislation

Congressman Bruce Westerman (R-Hot Springs) issued the following statement upon Tuesday's vote on H.R. 159, the Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act which Westerman co-sponsored, as well as suspension bills that would strengthen federal laws aimed at combatting human sex trafficking:

"I was pleased to be able to vote in favor of these bills that make American laws tougher for those who engage in human sex-trafficking. These bills mirror similar bi-partisan legislation passed when I was in the Arkansas General Assembly. H.R. 159 specifically provides assistance for victims of human sex-trafficking through providing Jobs Corps benefits during their recovery. These bills are important steps in our continued efforts to stop human sex-trafficking not just in Arkansas, but in the United States and abroad."

Also on Tuesday, Congressman Westerman took part in a bi-partisan press conference on the bills along with Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA), Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL), Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC), Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD), Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN), Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX), Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO), Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO).

Bills voted on Tuesday in addition to H.R. 159 include: H.R. 468 (Enhancing Services for Runaway and Homeless Victims for Youth Trafficking Act of 2015), H.R. 469 (Strengthening Child Welfare Response to Trafficking Act of 2015), H.R. 246 (a bill to improve the response to victims of child sex trafficking), H.R. 514 (Human Trafficking Prioritization Act), H.R. 515 (International Megan's Law to Prevent Demand for Child Sex Trafficking), and H.R. 357 (Human Trafficking Prevention Act).

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