McCAUL, FELLOW LAWMAKERS INTRODUCE HUMAN TRAFFICKING LEGISLATION

  

Texas Congressman Michael McCaul has joined two other lawmakers in introducing legislation to combat human trafficking.

McCaul, along with state Congressman Henry Cuellar and state Senator John Cornyn, introduced the Interdiction for the Protection of Child Victims of Exploitation and Human Trafficking Act. The item is a companion bill that was introduced in the Senate by Cornyn, along with Senator Cortez Masto of Nevada.

House Resolution 836 would require the Attorney General to create a pilot program to provide Interdiction for Protection of Children (IPC) training for local, state, and federal law enforcement and other related professionals.

It would also increase availability of the training, which helps officials identify child victims of trafficking, as well as exploited and missing children.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott applauded the legislation, saying the IPC program is a “proven tool” that helps law enforcement agents find and arrest human traffickers and protect victims. He said passing legislation to expand upon this model is a “vital step” towards eliminating trafficking and creating a safer future.

McCaul is the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and former chairman of the House’s Homeland Security Committee.

According to McCaul, human trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar industry that affects an estimated 25 million people worldwide, including more than 300,000 people in Texas. He said he remains “committed to advancing comprehensive solutions to end human trafficking”.