Featured

Kinzinger proposes bipartisan bill to battle human trafficking

U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) recently reintroduced a bipartisan bill that seeks to institute an alternative approach to combating human trafficking.

“I’m proud to re-introduce this bill that would pinpoint the individuals who solicit and purchase trafficking services,” Rep. Kinzinger said on Jan. 25. “We must hold them accountable for their role in this hideous crime. And, by cutting off the demand, we can stop the supply, taking us one step closer to ending human trafficking.”

Rep. Kinzinger on Jan. 15 sponsored the Reducing the Demand for Human Trafficking Act, H.R. 332, with original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) to amend the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to encourage a victim-centered approach to combating human trafficking, according to the congressional record bill summary.

The two lawmakers in January 2019 originally introduced legislation to modify the requirements regarding trafficking victim services grants, according to the congressional record. The measure gained 20 cosponsors, but stalled in the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

“Human trafficking is often hidden in plain sight, but it is happening here in Illinois and across the country,” said Rep. Kinzinger, who pointed out that in his Illinois district, the city of Rockford ranks second in highest cases of trafficking in the state. “The daily numbers are deeply disturbing,” he said.

Rep. Kelly noted that human trafficking requires a strategy addressing not only the suppliers but individuals who solicit and purchase the services of trafficked victims. “The Reducing Demand for Human Trafficking Act of 2021 holds those individuals accountable for their crimes and incentivizes law enforcement to go after the solicitors of victims of human trafficking,” she said.

U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick on Jan. 25 also signed on to H.R. 332 as a cosponsor.

Ripon Advance News Service

Recent Posts

Biden’s presidential campaign must immediately end TikTok use, says Ernst

The same week that President Joe Biden signed legislation to end the national security risk…

9 hours ago

Burgess requests investigation into Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation

U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX), chairman of the House Budget Committee Health Care Task Force,…

9 hours ago

Leak of federal economic info spurs Cassidy’s probe at Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ranking Republican of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee U.S. Sen. Bill…

9 hours ago

Collins-supported shipyard funding included in new national security supplemental package

Federal funding totaling $100 million will be provided to the Maine-based Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY)…

9 hours ago

USTR’s digital trade decision draws concern from Feenstra

U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) recently raised concerns about the implications of the U.S. Trade…

9 hours ago

Graves joins transportation colleagues in finalizing FAA reauthorization proposal

Members of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which is chaired by U.S. Rep.…

9 hours ago

This website uses cookies.