Congresswomen Matsui & Noem's Human Trafficking Provision Included in Senate Trafficking Legislation – Passes House, Headed to President for Signature

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

CONTACT:

Julie Eddy (Rep. Matsui) 202.225.7163

Brittany Comins (Rep. Noem) 202.225.2801

Congresswomen Matsui andamp; Noem's Human Trafficking Provision Included in Senate Trafficking Legislation - Passes House, Headed to President for Signature

Bipartisan legislation introduced by Congresswomen Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Kristi Noem (R-SD), the Human Trafficking Prevention, Intervention, and Recovery Act, was passed by the House today as part of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 (S. 178, Sen. Cornyn). The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act passed the Senate on April 22 with a vote of 99 to 0. On May 19, it passed the House on a vote of 420 to 3.

"I am pleased that the House voted today to pass an important package of anti-trafficking legislation, which includes language from a bill that was introduced by Representative Kristi Noem and myself," said Rep. Matsui. "The legislation passed includes a number of human trafficking bills that were championed by members of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues. I believe the Women's Caucus played an important role in ensuring that Congress addresses this egregious and all-to-often overlooked human rights violation."

"Today, there are only about 200 beds for underage sex trafficking victims in the United States," said Rep. Noem. "One of the provisions within this bill, which is language I was proud to work with Rep. Matsui on, would ensure shelters can get access to more resources in order to provide safe housing for those trying to escape and recover from trafficking. Passing this provision and the dozens of others contained in S.178 has given both chambers of Congress the opportunity to stand together in opposition to this kind of modern-day slavery. I strongly urge President Obama to sign this legislation quickly and take one more step in the journey toward ending trafficking."

Based off of language included in the Human Trafficking Prevention, Intervention, and Recovery Act (H.R. 350), Title II Subtitle C of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act does the following to address human trafficking:

andbull; Launches a review by the Interagency Task-Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking that - in consultation with nongovernmental organizations - will look into federal and state trafficking prevention activities and will work to identify and develop best practices to prevent trafficking;

andbull; Requires an inventory of existing federal anti-trafficking efforts by the non-partisan Government Accountability Office to make sure all federal agencies and programs work together and that federal resources are being targeted where needed; and

andbull; Improves existing Department of Justice grants, allowing the grants to also support shelters for survivors.

Congresswomen Matsui and Noem currently serve as Co-Chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues.

###