03.20.18

Bill to Combat Sex Trafficking Would Close Loophole In Current Law

‘My friend and colleague from Ohio, Senator Portman, has been especially committed to rooting out the cause of this crisis. He has built a broad, bipartisan coalition in support of the legislation currently before the Senate. It’s designed to close a loophole in existing law that allows websites to avoid responsibility even as they knowingly facilitate trafficking. It would ensure any institutions that are party to this reprehensible practice are subject to the strict penalties they deserve.’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA):

“Today, the Senate continues to consider a bill that would strike back against the evils of sex trafficking. The topic is all too familiar to me and many of my colleagues, who have fought against child exploitation for decades. But in recent years, as trafficking has migrated from street corners to smartphones, reports of child sex trafficking have ticked up dramatically.

“My friend and colleague from Ohio, Senator Portman, has been especially committed to rooting out the cause of this crisis. He has built a broad, bipartisan coalition in support of the legislation currently before the Senate.

“It’s designed to close a loophole in existing law that allows websites to avoid responsibility even as they knowingly facilitate trafficking. It would ensure any institutions that are party to this reprehensible practice are subject to the strict penalties they deserve. I urge each of my colleagues to join us in taking decisive action for our nation’s children.”

Related Issues: Combating Sex Trafficking