Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Approves Katko Human Trafficking Legislation

WASHINGTON, DC – This morning, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved two bipartisan bills introduced by Rep. John Katko (NY-24) to address human trafficking on the Nation’s highways, as well as sweeping FEMA reform legislation.

“This morning’s markup demonstrated what our Committee can accomplish through bipartisan consensus,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA). “We approved significant FEMA reform legislation that shifts our focus to predisaster mitigation in the wake of a historic hurricane season.  The human trafficking bills cleared today will help stem the growth of this terrible crime.  I look forward to quick consideration of these bills by the House.”

H.R. 3814, the “No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act,” disqualifies individuals from operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for their lifetime if they used a CMV to commit a felony involving human trafficking.

“As a former organized crime prosecutor on both the northern border at home in New York and on the southern border in El Paso, Texas, I’ve seen firsthand the horrors of human trafficking,” said Rep. Katko.  “Too often, human traffickers take advantage of our nation’s transportation network to transport their victims from one location to the next, and the U.S. Department of Transportation and the transportation industry play a critical role in preventing and stopping these heinous exploitations.  I’m grateful for Chairman Shuster’s commitment to ending the crime of human trafficking.  I’m proud to work with him and members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today to pass two bipartisan pieces of legislation that I’ve authored with Representative Esty to help make our transportation systems safer.”

H.R. 3813, the “Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act,”  directs the Secretary of Transportation to designate a human trafficking prevention coordinator, expands the scope of activities authorized under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's outreach and education program and commercial driver’s license financial assistance program to include human trafficking prevention activities, and establishes a human trafficking advisory committee.

“Human trafficking is an appalling and inhumane crime – and it’s happening throughout Connecticut and all over the country,” Rep. Esty said.  “As I sadly learned firsthand when a human trafficking ring was broken up in my hometown of Cheshire, anyone can become a victim of this crime, regardless of race, age, gender, or socioeconomic status.  It’s even worse that the majority of human trafficking incidents exploit young girls sexually: the average age a teen enters the sex trade in the United States is between the ages of 12 and 14.  We need to put a stop to this inhumane activity now, which is why I’m proud to have introduced the Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act.”

All bills were approved today by voice vote.  More information from today’s markup and the approved legislation can be found here.

Congressman John Katko represents the 24th Congressional District of New York, which includes all of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Wayne Counties and the western portion of Oswego County.  For more information visit https://katko.house.gov or www.facebook.com/RepJohnKatko.

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