Human Trafficking Legislation
Floor Speech
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Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. President, I rise today to discuss the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015. I am proud to join with my colleagues to cosponsor this important legislation, and I applaud Senator Cornyn and Senator Klobuchar for putting together this bipartisan bill.
The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act is a call to action. We heard a lot of discussion about it on the floor over the last several days. The horrible crime of human trafficking impacts thousands of Americans--mostly women and children--each year, and it occurs in cities, suburbs, and in rural towns. We cannot allow this horrendous crime to continue.
Last year, I hosted a forum at West Virginia State University to discuss how we could help in West Virginia to combat human trafficking. The event was very well attended and featured law enforcement advocates, academics, and State lawmakers. I also supported several bills when I was in the House of Representatives to further this fight and end this vicious crime.
It is monstrous to consider the sexual exploitation of a human being, especially a child. We must stand up for those voices that have been silenced and say ``no more.''
While not in large numbers, trafficking occurs in West Virginia's small communities and towns, in our hotels and in our truck stops, in schools, and online. Several things contribute to trafficking in the Mountain State--the interstates running in and around, our high poverty and unemployment rates. We also have a drug epidemic which contributes to this problem.
I am working in a bipartisan way with Senator Joe Donnelly to address this drug epidemic, but we must also say ``no more'' to this shameful crime.
The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act will make it easier for law enforcement to identify and address patterns of human trafficking. It takes a needed two-pronged approach. It bolsters the tools available to law enforcement to crack down on human traffickers and helps victims restore their lives through increased Federal resources.
We need to take care of our sons, our daughters, and our neighbors and keep our eyes and our ears open. This is not a Republican or Democratic issue; it is a human issue. Now is the time to stand up and say ``no more'' to human trafficking. Now is the time to show broad support for these victims and punish traffickers to the fullest extent of the law.
This bill has gone through a very transparent process. It was carefully considered and unanimously approved in the Senate Judiciary Committee. It has been available for every Senator or member of the public to read for months. Earlier this week each and every Senator consented to consider this bill on the Senate floor. It has widespread support from over 200 advocacy groups, including the NAACP, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Rights4Girls, the National Association to Protect Children, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the National Conference of State Legislatures.
The innocent victims of human trafficking have suffered enough. Now is the time for us to join together and pass this legislation and take a significant step to end this crime.
I yield the floor.
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