Beatty's Anti-Human Trafficking Bill to Become Law

Press Release

U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) recently spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in support of anti-human trafficking legislation, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, S. 178. One of Beatty's top priorities in the 114th Congress was to pass her trafficking bill, H.R. 246 -- and the omnibus package passed by the House today includes Beatty's bill and 9 other bipartisan House bills aimed at combatting the scourge of human trafficking. S. 178 passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 420-3 and heads to the White House for President Obama's signature.

"After a five month delay, I am pleased that my bipartisan legislation is headed to the White House for President Obama's signature as part of this larger effort. I applaud the bipartisan group of Senators and House Members who worked together to find compromises to the Hyde Amendment so that this worthwhile comprehensive legislation to combat human trafficking could come to fruition," said Rep. Beatty. "I will continue working to stop these heinous practices and support child sex trafficking victims. Ending this practice starts with all of us, remember, if you see something, say something."

A long-time advocate in combatting human trafficking, Rep. Beatty's legislation would reduce the instances and impacts of child sex trafficking by de-criminalizing the behavior of trafficking victims and making it easier for people to report potential instances to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Cyber Tipline.

Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world. According to the U.S. State Department, human trafficking is the world's second largest criminal enterprise, after the illegal drug trade. In the U.S., some 300,000 children are at risk each year of commercial sexual exploitation. In Ohio, each year an estimated 1,078 Ohio children become victims of human trafficking and over 3,000 more are at-risk.

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