ATEST Applauds Senate Passage of the Second of Four Bills to Reauthorize Trafficking Victims Protection Act
WASHINGTON – The Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST) thanks members of the U.S. Senate for passage this week of the International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (S. 4171). This bill is a key component of a four-part package of legislation to reauthorize the legal framework for efforts by the United States to combat forced labor and human trafficking at home and abroad.
The bill 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 applauds Senate passage of S. 4171 and thanks its 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 117th Congress. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Three bills covering other aspects of the anti-trafficking act reauthorization await congressional approval: S. 3946 and S. 3949 await Senate action before moving to the House, and H.R. 6552, passed by the House, awaits action in the Senate. ATEST urges Congress to pass all four bills that comprise the reauthorization package.
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 Institute, Human Trafficking Legal Center, Humanity United Action (HUA), McCain Institute for International Leadership, National Network for Youth (NN4Y), Polaris, Safe Horizon, Solidarity Center, T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, United Way Worldwide, Verité, and Vital Voices Global Partnership.
Media Contact: ATEST Director Terry FitzPatrick | [email protected] | 571-282-9913