Risch, Menendez Applaud SFRC Passage of their International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), ranking member and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the below statements following the committee’s passage of their International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) of 2022, comprehensive legislation to reauthorize and enhance critical programming, policy, and funding essential to the United States’ efforts to combat human trafficking around the world.

Expanding upon the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, the senators’ legislation proposes reforms to bolster U.S. efforts relating to combating human trafficking, such as new requirements for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to integrate prevention efforts into broader global programming. Among other provisions, the legislation also amends the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act to ensure a nation’s commitment and progress toward implementing effective counter-trafficking measures are factors when determining recipients of U.S. development assistance.

“We must do more to effectively combat and eliminate the horrific crime of human trafficking globally, and ensure the State Department has the tools necessary to assist other countries’ ability to properly investigate and prosecute traffickers,” said Ranking Member Risch. “Today’s committee passage of legislation to reauthorize the TVPRA will make critical reforms to increase oversight over U.S. anti-trafficking programs and help prevent the further trafficking of the most vulnerable. I thank my colleagues for their bipartisan support of this important issue, and hope the full Senate will vote on it soon.”

“I am very proud to see our Committee take action to bolster our nation’s ability to fight the scourge of human trafficking, which continues to threaten the lives of millions of children and women every day,” said Chairman Menendez. “This commonsense legislation makes necessary reforms to bolster accountability measures and expand prevention efforts so that the United States can avail itself of every tool necessary to combat modern day slavery. I look forward to building off of this momentum to secure final passage by the full Senate so that it can be sent to President Biden for his signature into law.”

A copy of the bill summary can be found here.

A copy of the bill text can be found here.

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