Senate passes Ernst’s bill ending human trafficking via U.S. government contracts

The U.S. Senate recently approved a bipartisan bill offered by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) that would implement certain human trafficking in contracting provisions.

“The United States should take every step to end human trafficking, and that includes ensuring that not a single cent of government funding is provided to contractors who employ this heinous practice,” Sen. Ernst said on July 21. “Our effort will prevent our hard-earned taxpayer dollars from funding this atrocious human rights violation, and I’m thrilled to see this bill pass the Senate.”

The Senate on July 13 passed the End Human Trafficking in Government Contracts Act of 2022, S. 3470, which Sen. Ernst cosponsored in January with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. James Lankford (R-OK).

If enacted, S. 3470 would ensure that the U.S. government doesn’t fund or participate in human trafficking through contracts overseas, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.

The U.S. House of Representatives received the measure for consideration on July 14.

“The Senate has finally agreed with us to prioritize confronting federal overseas contractors that utilize human trafficking,” said Sen. Lankford. “Now we need the House and president to join us.”