Democrats Threatening ‘To Torpedo Bipartisan Legislation Combating Human Sex Trafficking’

Dems ‘Choosing A Phantom Problem Over Real Victims’

Democrat Senators Evidence Not Caring
About Sex Trafficking Bill
 But they are all-in on abortion! 

ELEANOR GAETAN, The Coalition Against Trafficking In Women: “Senate Democrats are choosing a phantom problem over real victims.” (Dallas Morning News, 3/12/15)

• GAETAN: “Speechless that superb U.S. anti-trafficking bill #JVTA is hostage… Offer an amendment & take a vote Dems, don't block!” (Twitter, @EkGaetan, 3/11/15)

Bipartisan Cornyn / Klobuchar Bill ‘Represents An Effort To … Target The Culture Of Impunity For Those Who Seek To Purchase Sex, Especially With Children’
HOLLY AUSTIN SMITH, Victim & Advocate: “When I was fourteen years old, I was coerced into prostitution by a man I had met at a local shopping mall in New Jersey… Had there been a Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act... perhaps law enforcement would have immediately recognized that I was a victim, not a criminal… Perhaps my healing process could have been easier, faster.” (Holly Austin Smith, Committee On The Judiciary, U.S. Senate, Testimony, 2/24/15)

MILIKA SAAR, Executive Director of Human Rights Project for Girls: “We owe it to Aviva and other trafficked children to make clear to them that the victimization and abuse they have suffered is no different or more tolerable than other forms of rape or sexual abuse of minors. We owe it to Aviva and the girls still left behind to hold accountable those who have purchased and raped them—and to create for these girls, who are mighty and strong and so hurt, opportunities to heal and to live out their potential.” (Malika Saada Saar, Committee On The Judiciary, U.S. Senate, Testimony, 2/24/15)

184 GROUPS: “We are a coalition of organizations from across the United States dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable women and children and write to express our support for the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, S. 178 (JVTA). … As leaders in the anti-trafficking, anti-violence, child welfare, civil rights, runaway and homeless youth, and human rights movements, we urge Congress to pass this critical piece of legislation.” (“Letter Of Support From Advocacy Groups, Letter To Senators Grassley & Leahy, 2/23/15)

• “The JVTA provides unprecedented resources to address the issue of domestic victims of trafficking, who are too often invisible and underserved… This legislation is vital. The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 represents an effort to provide the necessary support services to our domestic victims of trafficking in the U.S. and to target the culture of impunity for those who seek to purchase sex, especially with children. … We urge Congress to pass this critical piece of legislation.” (“Letter Of Support From Law Enforcement Groups,” Letter To Senators Grassley & Leahy, 2/24/15

Law Enforcement & Prosecutor Organizations: “Women and children, especially girls, are also advertised online where buyers purchase them with ease, anonymity, and impunity. … The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 addresses a critical need by providing the necessary tools and support services for domestic victims of trafficking in the U.S. We urge Congress to pass this critical piece of legislation.” (Letter To Sens. Grassley & Leahy, 2/24/15)

‘Legislation Makes No Change In The Existing Law, Known As The Hyde Amendment’
AP: Democrats “blocking passage of a sex trafficking measure designed to help children and women. … The legislation makes no change in the existing law, known as the Hyde Amendment.” (AP, 3/11/15)

• Democrats unanimously supported the Hyde Amendment in H.R. 3547 (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014), the bill referenced by Cornyn / Klobuchar. (H.R.3547, Roll Call Vote #13, Bill Passed 72-26: R 16-26; D 54-0; I 2-0, 1/16/14)
• “Gaetan said she didn’t know who the language [in Cornyn / Klobuchar] would apply to since it includes provisions that allow the fund to be used for abortions in cases of rape.” (Dallas Morning News, 3/12/15)

CRS: “In addition to the temporary funding limitations contained in appropriation bills, abortion restrictions of a more permanent nature have been enacted in a variety of contexts since 1970. For example, the Family Planning Services and Population Research Act of 1970, P.L. 91-572 (42 U.S.C. 300a-6)… The Legal Services Corporation Act of 1974, P.L. 93-355 (42 U.S.C. 2996f(b)(8))… The Pregnancy Discrimination Act, P.L. 95-555 (42 U.S.C. 2000e(k))… The Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1988, P.L. 100-259 (20 U.S.C. 1688)… [and] The Civil Rights Commission Amendments Act of 1994, P.L. 103-419 (42 U.S.C. 1975a(f))…” (Congressional Research Service, “Abortion: Judicial History and Legislative Response,” 1/23/15)

• CRS: “Beginning with P.L. 95-457, the Department of Defense appropriations measures have contained Hyde-type abortion limitations. This recurring prohibition was eventually codified and made permanent by P.L. 98-525, the Department of Defense Authorization Act of 1984.” (Congressional Research Service, “Abortion: Judicial History and Legislative Response,” 1/23/15)
• The State Children's Health Insurance Program contains Hyde-type abortion limitations. (42 U.S.C. 1397ee(c)(1))

‘Lobbyist’ Reason For Dems ‘Sharp Turn’ ‘To Torpedo Bipartisan Legislation Combating Human Sex Trafficking’
“Senate Democrats threatened Wednesday to torpedo bipartisan legislation combating human sex trafficking…” (“Dems Threaten To Block Trafficking Bill In Abortion Dispute,” AP, 3/11/15)

“Not long after agreeing unanimously to move forward with a bill to combat human trafficking on Monday, Democrats discovered the abortion language that had been sitting on page four. They're now refusing to allow Republicans a final vote on the bill, potentially carrying out a filibuster that could last well into next week.” (“McConnell Puts Democrats In A Box,” National Journal, 3/10/15)

“‘Unless that language is taken out of the bill, there will be no bill,’ Reid said on the Senate floor this afternoon, a sharp turn from Monday, when he predicted little or no resistance on the bill.” (“Anti-Abortion Provision Threatens To Derail Cornyn Bill To Curb Human Trafficking,” Dallas Morning News, 3/12/15)

JOHN STANTON: “Apparently Dems didn't know about abortion language until a lobbyist informed last night.” (Twitter, @dcbigjohn, 3/10/15)

• “Democrats privately conceded they should have noticed the provision...” (“Reid: Strip Abortion From Trafficking Bill Or It Fails,” AP, 3/11/15)
• “[Republicans] say that it was included in the legislation all along and that Democratic staff members apparently did not read the bill. Sheepishly, top Democrats admit that might be true. The future of the legislation remains uncertain, but the embarrassing episode reinforced the advantage of the old refrain often heard on Capitol Hill: Read the Bill.” (“Trafficking Legislation Flounders As Lawmakers Misread Bill,” The New York Times, 3/11/15)

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