Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

Floor Speech

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Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, today, I am introducing a measure that
would help us make progress in the fight against domestic human
trafficking, a terrible crime. This legislation, titled the Combating
Human Trafficking Act of 2015, has three objectives. First, it would
encourage federal agencies to devote existing grant resources to
initiatives that are designed to protect runaway and homeless youth
from human traffickers. Second, it would update the authorizing
language for the cyber tipline of the National Center for Missing and
Exploited Children to ensure that the statute specifically references
``child sex trafficking.'' Third, and finally, this legislation would
help ensure that trafficking victims' housing needs are met and equip
Congress with more information on the best practices to combat human
trafficking.

The first title of this measure is based on legislation introduced by
U.S. Congressman Joseph Heck of Nevada in January. It is titled the
Enhancing Services for Runaway and Homeless Victims of Youth
Trafficking Act of 2015. Similar language passed the House on January
26 by a unanimous voice vote. This part of the bill would improve the
support provided specifically to runaway and homeless youth who are
trafficking victims. This title also would enable the Secretary of
Health and Human Services to devote existing grant resources to
training grantees' personnel on the effects of human trafficking on
runaway and homeless youth. Finally, this title would allow the HHS
Secretary to provide street-based services to such victims.

The second title of the bill, based on a measure introduced by U.S.
Congresswoman Joyce Beatty of Ohio, would amend the Missing Children's
Assistance Act to ensure that the phrase ``child sex trafficking'' is
incorporated into the statutory language that authorizes the cyber
tipline of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Nearly identical language already passed the U.S. House of
Representatives earlier this year.

The final title of this legislation is known as the Human Trafficking
Prevention, Intervention and Recovery Act of 2015, after a bill
introduced by U.S. Congresswoman Kristi Noem of South Dakota. It would
charge the Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking
with several duties, such as identifying best practices and strategies
to combat human trafficking and cataloging the anti-trafficking
activities of various State and Federal agencies. This task force,
which was created under the 2000 Trafficking Victims Protection Act,
must provide a report within one year of its review and findings, under
the legislation.

The third title of this legislation also calls for the Government
Accountability Office to report to Congress on governmental and law
enforcement efforts to combat domestic human trafficking. This title
also recognizes that minors who are trafficking victims in the United
States are in desperate need of housing. It would ensure that certain
grants, which are available from the U.S. Department of Justice under
the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, can be used for
initiatives to assist trafficking victims with their housing needs. Shelters and facilities that are seeking to expand or develop services to trafficking survivors would be eligible to apply for these grant funds, under this title of the legislation. Nearly
identical language passed the House last month.

I urge my colleagues to pass this vitally important legislation. I
also want to extend my appreciation to my colleague from Illinois, Mr.
Kirk, who has agreed to join me as an original cosponsor of this
measure.

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