Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for the introduction. I am very happy and pleased to be a cosponsor of this measure.

As we know, human trafficking is modern-day slavery, Mr. Speaker, and traffickers abuse and exploit millions of victims, especially children, girls, and women, all for commercial gain. This is a serious problem around the globe, Mr. Speaker, and even here at home.

We must do more to raise awareness of this crime.

The U.S. Department of Labor is on the front lines of detecting human trafficking. In 2024, the National Human Trafficking Hotline's data showed that there were 21,865 victims, and that is only what we know was reported.

Mr. Speaker, one in six endangered runaways is a likely victim of child sex trafficking. We have a moral and ethical obligation to empower Federal agencies to prevent, detect, and address these horrific crimes.

This bipartisan, commonsense bill raises awareness of human trafficking and establishes effective and timely educational programs to train Department of Labor personnel.

This bill establishes a framework for employees to assist law enforcement, requires reports to Congress on the scope of the issue, and ensures U.S. DOL personnel have the tools they need to detect forced labor and sexual exploitation when they investigate labor law violations.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to vote for this measure to help address, prevent, and crack down on this terrible practice.

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