03.21.18

Senate to Vote on Bill to Combat Sex Trafficking

‘The legislation before us reforms a misused provision in a 1996 telecommunications act, which currently shields companies that facilitate -- and profit from -- the disgusting exploitation of women and children. Later today, my colleagues will have the opportunity to implement commonsense reform with the potential to change vulnerable children’s lives for the better. I urge every one of us to vote to pass it.’

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):

“The Senate has a very important piece of business to tackle. This afternoon, we will vote on the anti-sex-trafficking legislation we’ve been considering this week. I want to thank Senator Portman, who has worked hard to advance this reform, and Chairman Thune, for shepherding it through the Commerce Committee.

“Many of us have paid careful attention to the scourge of child trafficking over the years. It’s been a high-priority issue for me since before I arrived in the Senate. But as traffickers move their crimes from the street corner to the smartphone, the data tell us unambiguously that more action is required.

“The legislation before us reforms a misused provision in a 1996 telecommunications act, which currently shields companies that facilitate -- and profit from -- the disgusting exploitation of women and children. Later today, my colleagues will have the opportunity to implement commonsense reform with the potential to change vulnerable children’s lives for the better. I urge every one of us to vote to pass it.”

Related Issues: Combating Sex Trafficking