Rep. Carolyn Maloney Removes Name from Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, Urges Passage of Separate Version

Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) today released the following statement on the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. Maloney is the lead Democratic sponsor of H.R. 181 in the House, but has removed her name from H.R. 296.

"Back in January the House of Representatives unanimously passed the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (H.R. 181), introduced by Congressman Poe and me. This legislation would strengthen the law against those on the demand side of human trafficking and does not include abortion-restrictive language. If the Senate wants to do something to help the victims of human trafficking, it should take up H.R. 181 immediately.

"I have removed my name from H.R. 296, a separate bill also entitled the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, because it includes abortion restrictive language that I do not support. This legislation is more expansive than H.R. 181, and mirrors a bill (S. 178) introduced by Senator Cornyn.

"Congressman Poe is a champion in the effort to combat human trafficking and I have worked with him for many years and hope to continue working shoulder to shoulder with him. I have spoken with him about this misunderstanding and we are both hopeful that we can do whatever possible to stop human trafficking, which is damaging the lives of too many women and children throughout America. There is no room for sex slavery in our great country."

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