The leaders of Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Health Association of the United States—joined by Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, the chairman of the US bishops’ Committee on Migration—have called on the Senate to pass the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act.
On February 13, the House passed the bill, sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), in a 414-11 vote; it awaits consideration by the Senate.
The Catholic leaders said that “this legislation is critical for continuing and bolstering our nation’s efforts to eradicate human trafficking and assist human trafficking survivors.”
“As a Church committed to upholding the God-given dignity of every person, we are grateful for Congress’ longstanding, bipartisan commitment to combatting the sin of human trafficking, both in the United States and around the world,” they added. “We urge you to further that commitment by supporting [the legislation] and passing it without further delay.”