Sens. Peters, Portman praise House passage of human trafficking legislation

U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) are praising the House of Representatives’ passage of their legislation to bolster efforts to combat human trafficking.

The Countering Human Trafficking Act, which passed the Senate in April and now moves to President Joe Biden to be signed into law, would make permanent and strengthen the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT).

“Human trafficking is horrific, and these crimes – which often go unreported – must be stopped,” Peters said. “This bipartisan bill will provide the Center for Countering Human Trafficking with tools, resources and authorities needed to disrupt human trafficking organizations and ensure our nation can protect victims of these terrible crimes.”

The measure would enable the CCHT to leverage and coordinate its capabilities and resources to fight against traffickers; build out its permanent staff with Special Agents, criminal analysts, and others; modernize its systems and operations to support worldwide investigations on human trafficking and forced labor in supply chains while bolstering efforts to protect human trafficking victims.

“Human trafficking should not be happening in Ohio or our nation,” Portman, chairman and ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said. “I applaud the House for passing our bipartisan Countering Human Trafficking Act because this bill gives the Department of Homeland Security the tools and resources needed to combat human trafficking and hold traffickers accountable for their actions.”

Additionally, the legislation will expand and improve national public awareness and law enforcement training initiatives to boost counter-trafficking efforts.