Bipartisan Human Trafficking Legislation Advances to White House
Bipartisan legislation designed to exclude from the trucking industry those involved in human trafficking was advanced to the White House on Dec. 21.
Additionally, the House passed the Jobs for Our Heroes Act on Dec. 21, to slash the time it takes active duty military, reservists and veterans to obtain a commercial driver license.
Katko
The bipartisan No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act, which passed unanimously in the Senate, was sponsored by Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.). He explained the legislation would disqualify from commercial trucking those drivers found guilty of operating vehicles for human trafficking.
“This bipartisan, bicameral bill strengthens our nation’s efforts to combat human trafficking,” Katko said in a statement. “I want to commend the trucking industry for their commitment in training drivers to identify instances of human trafficking through organizations like Truckers Against Trafficking. Truck drivers are often a critical asset in helping law enforcement identify victims who otherwise might go unseen. However, an isolated few individuals have taken advantage of their position to illegally traffic innocent people. We must stop this from occurring.”
The House also passed the bipartisan Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act, which would require the transportation secretary to designate a human trafficking prevention coordinator, as well as expand the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s outreach and education programs to include human trafficking prevention activities. The bill is supported by Truckers Against Trafficking, the National District Attorneys Association, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.
A high-profile smuggling operation was discovered last summer when a tractor-trailer was parked outside a Wal-Mart store in San Antonio with dozens of immigrants inside. Ten of those passengers died and others were hospitalized with extreme dehydration. One passenger said people were taking turns breathing from a hole inside the trailer.
Katko, who introduced the bill alongside Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-Conn.), is a former organized crime prosecutor who worked along both the northern and southern borders. He said that human traffickers frequently take advantage of the nation’s transportation network to move their victims.
Esty said that a human trafficking ring was dismantled in her hometown of Cheshire, Conn. According to Esty, human trafficking incidents often exploit young girls, usually between the ages of 12 and 14, regardless of their race, age or socioeconomic status.
“While the vast majority of our nation’s truck drivers are hardworking, honest men and women, our bill is necessary to ensure that the select few who commit these crimes are brought to justice,” Katko said.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) sponsored both trafficking bills, marking the latest chapter in her efforts to combat the crime. Earlier in 2017, the Abolish Human Trafficking Act, which she introduced with Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), passed the Senate. The bill reauthorizes key programs that support survivors of human trafficking and provides resources to federal, state and local law enforcement officials who specialize in fighting human trafficking.
Klobuchar
“Commercial drivers and truckers are often the first line of defense against human trafficking, yet don’t always have the tools necessary to help prevent these crimes,” Klobuchar said. “The passage of these two bills brings us one step closer to equipping and empowering our drivers to help prevent this heinous crime we’re seeing too often in Minnesota and around the country.”
Along with the two human trafficking bills, the House passed the Jobs for Our Heroes Act Dec. 21. This bill, introduced by Cornyn, aims to streamline the process by which active duty military, reservists and veterans receive commercial driver licenses and begin civilian driving careers.
The Jobs for Our Heroes Act will help vets find jobs faster. Thanks to @TexasGuard @TXDPS @TX_TA @AmericanLegion @CocaCola for the support pic.twitter.com/HxWIUjFMwo — Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) August 23, 2017
Veterans are an important demographic for agencies and fleets looking to offset the industrywide driver shortage. In October 2016, FMCSA awarded nearly $1 million in grants to seven technical and community colleges to help military veterans become commercial bus and truck drivers.
The driver shortage ranked No. 1 on the American Transportation Research Institute’s list of most pressing concerns for the industry, which was released Oct. 23. American Trucking Associations reported that the driver shortage could reach 50,000 by the end of the year, and the shortfall could surpass 174,000 by 2026 if current trends continue.
Thune
“Once signed into law, the No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act and the Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act will greatly aid in the ongoing battle against human trafficking,” said Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. “Additionally, the Jobs for Our Heroes Act will benefit veterans and service members by making it easier for them to get commercial driver licenses without having to face unnecessary red tape.”
Staff Reporter Eugene Mulero contributed to this article.
