ATEST Applauds Re-introduction of International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act
WASHINGTON – The Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST) applauds key members of the Senate Foreign Relaitons Committee for re-introduction of the International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act – TVPRA (S. 920). The bill was part of a package introduced in the last Congress to reauthorize the act; it passed the Senate unanimously but did not receive final passage in the House.
This bill is a key component to reauthorize the legal framework for efforts by the United States to combat forced labor and human trafficking at home and abroad. S. 920 includes important new provisions proposed by ATEST, including:
- Strengthening protections for domestic workers brought to the United States by diplomats and staffers of international organizations
- Integrating anti-trafficking strategies into development and humanitarian assistance programs at the United States Agency for International Development
- Including anti-trafficking provisions into loans by international development banks
The bipartisan legislation also authorizes hundreds of millions of dollars in federal spending, including an increase for the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP) at the U.S. State Department and extension of the Program to End Modern Slavery. The bill makes a nation’s commitment to fighting trafficking a consideration in eligibility to receive U.S. foreign assistance.
ATEST thanks the bill’s sponsors, Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ), James Risch (R-ID), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Tim Kaine (D-VA). We appreciate their dedication to ensuring that this landmark law, first passed in 2000, is reauthorized during the current Congress.
Another bill to reauthorize other parts of the TVPA that did not receive final approval in the last Congress, including funding for survivor services in the U.S. and operations of the National Human Trafficking Hotline, is pending re-introduction in the House.
ATEST is a U.S.-based coalition that advocates for solutions to prevent and end all forms of human trafficking and modern slavery around the world. We advocate for lasting solutions to prevent forced labor and sex trafficking, hold perpetrators accountable, ensure justice for victims and empower survivors with tools for recovery. Our collective experience implementing programs at home and abroad provides our coalition with an unparalleled breadth and depth of expertise.
ATEST member organizations include: Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST), Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), Covenant House, Free the Slaves, HEAL Trafficking, Human Trafficking Legal Center, Humanity United Action (HUA), McCain Institute for International Leadership, National Network for Youth (NN4Y), Polaris, Safe Horizon, Solidarity Center, United Way Worldwide, Verité, and Vital Voices Global Partnership.
Media Contact: ATEST Director Terry FitzPatrick | [email protected] | 571-282-9913