Christopher Smith

Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) and Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) held a press conference urging Speaker of the House Mike Johnson to vote on the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act. This legislation aims to address human trafficking through various programs and supports.

The proposed act would enhance anti-trafficking efforts until 2030, providing resources for identifying child trafficking and supporting survivor services. It also includes provisions to prevent U.S. foreign aid from contributing to trafficking and mandates specific measures for convicted sex offenders traveling abroad.

The bill has received backing from numerous organizations, including the National Center on Sexual Exploitation and Polaris. Mfume emphasized the bipartisan nature of the issue, stating "it transcends party lines," while Smith highlighted the urgency of the legislation to aid trafficking survivors in their recovery.