Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. MORAN. Madam President, we are here today and apparently this
week to discuss legislation pending before the Senate, the Justice for
Victims of Trafficking Act.

We have a serious problem in this country and around the globe in
regard to human trafficking. This legislation is an issue that needs to
be addressed and ought not be delayed. In fact, many from across the
country are asking us to do just that, including hundreds of Kansans
who are concerned about the rights of individuals, the rights of women
and men across the country. Congress has legislation now pending that
seems to me to be very straightforward and common sense in trying to
eliminate this scourge from our country.

I want to highlight what I think is unfortunately developing in the
Senate. I would refer back to the elections of November 2014, in which,
I thought, at least one of the messages the American people delivered
to us through their votes was a desire to see that legislation--
particularly legislation such as this--be addressed, that the Senate
consider it, amendments be offered, votes be taken, and ultimately
legislation be approved or disapproved by the Senate. Unfortunately, we
still find ourselves in a position in which we are unable to move
forward on this legislation to consider amendments.

I would guess that some of my colleagues on the other side of the
aisle would indicate that when the Republicans were in the minority
they from time to time blocked consideration of legislation pending. I
would tell you, that in my view, when I was a participant in that
process, it was because of the belief that we would have no opportunity
to offer amendments to legislation then pending. What I want to see is
how the Senate can process legislation, and what I want is for every
Member of the Senate to have the opportunity to offer amendments, to
have them considered, to be voted on, and that right should exist for
every Republican Senator and every Democratic Senator. We should be in
a position in which we can resolve our differences not by blocking the
consideration of an important piece of legislation but by taking a vote
on an amendment offered by a Senator from a State here in the United
States and that the Senators have an opportunity to present their case,
votes be taken, and issues be resolved. Unfortunately, we are in a
position where we are even unable to consider this legislation, and I
would ask that this circumstance come to an end.

Again, in my view, a message from November 2014--the last time voters
spoke in the United States--was, could we at least have a Congress that
can function, that can consider issues, and where votes can be cast and
decisions made. We find ourselves one more time in a situation in which
we are unable even to get to the bill to enable that consideration to
occur.

At least as stated in the press, there is an argument about a
provision in the legislation. I would again say that if there is a
provision in the legislation, despite the fact that it was unanimously
approved by the committee--every Republican and Democrat voted for it.
And now there is this claim that they are opposed to that. If you are
opposed to something, the way to solve it is not to block consideration
of the bill. The way to solve it is to allow the bill to be considered,
and if you oppose something in the bill, offer an amendment, have a
debate, and let the votes decide here on the Senate floor whether that
provision should remain in or be removed.

That provision that people are indicating is causing problems is one
that is related to the public funding of abortions. It is a provision
that has been law since the 1970s. It was voted on many times in the
Senate, and 23 Senators voted for that provision in a spending bill in
2014--just last year.

It appears we are manufacturing problems that don't really exist.
This provision was in the bill when the committee considered it, when
the committee approved it. Now as we bring this bipartisan bill to the
Senate floor, there are those who are saying we can't consider it
because this provision is included. I would indicate that the idea of
public funding--the use of taxpayer dollars to support abortion--is
disapproved by 7 out of 10 Americans. This is not a radical kind of
issue or proposal. But my point is that we should have the opportunity
to debate this and every other item within the bill, reach a
conclusion, and move forward on a piece of legislation that is
important in trying to protect the lives and safety of people across
our country, particularly women and children.

So my plea to my colleagues is this. Could we again get to the point
where the Senate functions, where we debate bills, votes are taken, and
issues of importance are considered. I hope I learn later today that is
the case--that we can move forward in resolution of this legislation.

I am here to indicate I oppose public funding of abortion. I support
the trafficking legislation now pending. But I will never have the
opportunity to demonstrate that because we are at a point in which no
legislation is able to be considered.

Madam President, I thank you for the opportunity to address the
Senate.

I notice the Senator from Wyoming is on the floor, and I would be
happy to yield the floor for him.

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