Ayotte Votes to Advance Bipartisan Bill to Help Victims of Sex Trafficking

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) today voted in support of advancing the bipartisan Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, legislation she is cosponsoring that would provide law enforcement with the tools they need to crack down on human traffickers while better supporting victims. While four Democrats joined Republicans in voting for a procedural motion to move the bill forward, the measure fell five votes short of the 60 votes needed to advance. Senator Ayotte released the following statement:

"Victims of trafficking need our help, and they're counting on the Senate to do its job and pass this important bipartisan bill to crack down on the horrific crime of trafficking in New Hampshire and the United States. The Senate Judiciary Committee recently passed it with unanimous bipartisan support. I am disappointed that Senate Democrats are now blocking this measure, and I hope partisan disagreements will be resolved so we can pass this bipartisan legislation and help victims of these terrible crimes."

Senator Ayotte is an original co-sponsor of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, along with a bipartisan group of 32 senators. She also helped introduce a separate bill - the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act - that would help curb youth homelessness and help victims of human trafficking in New Hampshire and nationwide. Last month, she testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee with several of her female colleagues about the urgent need to prevent trafficking in New Hampshire and across the country.

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