Tillis Calls On Democratic Leaders To End Filibuster Of Justice For Victims Of Trafficking Act | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

    WASHINGTON, D.C.     Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) today spoke on the Senate floor on the need for Senate Democratic leaders to end their filibuster of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015.

    In his remarks, Tillis brought attention to the devastating prevalence of human trafficking in the United States and across the world.

    "It's estimated by the State Department and other agencies that there are some 600,000 to 800,000 people currently enslaved in sex trade and forced labor worldwide," said Senator Tillis. "On average, that's about 1,600 to 2,200 new people - children, boys, girls, men, women - being enslaved every single day in this world. Now, in our country, we have some 17,500 people who are every year enslaved in human trafficking."

    Tillis also noted that the same Senate Democratic leaders blocking the legislation because of the Hyde Amendment have actually voted for the Hyde Amendment in the past, and it was even included in last year's omnibus bill.

    Tillis concluded his remarks with an appeal to Democrats to join in the effort to the pass the historic anti-trafficking legislation:

    "I just came from the Senate steps to take a picture with about a hundred students from my great state of North Carolina. And while I had time before the photographer to get there to let them ask me some questions, I said, 'I'm going to have to go up and speak briefly.' And they said, 'what are you going to speak on?' I was really at a loss for words. I was wondering how I was going to tell them I'm trying to make sure that we pass legislation that will make them safer, and that we're having a fight here over process. So I really ask the members of the Democratic caucus to look into their hearts, understand the human tragedy that this legislation is attempting to right and join with us to pass this bill and join with us to move on to do the many things that we need to do for this great nation."




    Contact: Meghan Burris
        Press Secretary

    Contact: Daniel Keylin
        Communications Director

          Daniel_Keylin@tillis.senate.gov  •  (202) 224-6342