President signs into law Katko measure fighting human trafficking

U.S. Rep. John Katko’s (R-NY) bipartisan, bicameral legislation to prevent human trafficking using commercial vehicles has been signed into law by President Donald Trump.

The No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act, H.R. 3814, which Rep. Katko introduced on Sept. 21, 2017, bans for life anyone who has used a commercial motor vehicle in a felony that involves human trafficking from operating such vehicles. The Senate version, S. 1532, had been introduced July 12, 2017 by U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-SD). The president signed the bill on Jan. 8.

“Too often, human traffickers take advantage of our nation’s transportation network to transport their victims from one location to the next,” Katko said in a recent statement. “Truck drivers are often a critical asset in helping law enforcement identify victims who otherwise might go unseen. However, an isolated few individuals have taken advantage of their position to illegally traffic innocent people.”
This new law, the congressman said, will prevent such situations from happening.

“While the vast majority of our nation’s truck drivers are hardworking, honest men and women, this bill is necessary to ensure that the select few who commit these crimes are brought to justice,” the congressman said.

Katko last month noted his prosecutorial experience, which had given him a firsthand view of the horrors associated with trafficking, as he addressed his colleagues on the floor of the House of Representatives prior to their vote passing the measure on Dec. 21.

In his remarks, Katko also applauded the trucking industry for its dedication to rooting out human traffickers.

This week he thanked President Trump.

“… I commend the President for recognizing the importance of addressing human trafficking and for signing this measure into law,” he said.