Cornyn Calls on Democrats to Support Human Trafficking Compromise

From Senator Cornyn:

‘If this provision is good enough for doctors and hospitals, why in the world isn't it good enough for victims of human sex trafficking?’

Apr 15 2015

WASHINGTON – In remarks on the Senate floor today, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) asked Democrats to put aside politics and support his compromise amendment to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA). Senator Cornyn’s amendment would strike the Hyde language from JVTA and replace it with language that all Senate Democrats voted for last night as part of H.R. 2, legislation addressing the so-called “doc fix.” The amendment would also restructure the bill’s Victims Fund so money would now come directly from public dollars.

Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below.

“For the last several weeks, we have been trying to get unstuck on an important piece of legislation that would combat modern-day slavery.”

“I think the country has become much more aware about this scourge, this dark side to our culture and our society and much more interested in trying to figure out what we can do to address it.”

“There is a huge need across America for the resources that this legislation would provide.”

“So imagine my surprise when all of a sudden it was brought to my attention that some people objected to a provision in the legislation known as the Hyde Amendment which had been the law of the land for 39 years.”

“The very same Hyde-type provision that was contained in the bill that we voted on last night is contained in the amendment we're going to vote on tomorrow on the Senate floor. So if this provision is good enough for doctors and hospitals, why in the world isn't it good enough for victims of human sex trafficking?”

“In an effort to try to get us unstuck, in order to try to catch a wave based on what we're doing generally here in the Senate – finally being productive and making things work – I have tried to take something that virtually all Democrats have voted for previously and to put that in the provision in order to eliminate their cause for concern.”

“As I've told a number of our colleagues across the aisle, who believe passionately in the importance of this topic, I think this amendment that we will vote on tomorrow addresses their stated concerns. It certainly addresses the stated concerns of the Democratic Leader this morning. And I would just say that of all the Senators who agreed to cosponsor this legislation on the other side of the aisle who previously objected to voting on the bill and passing it, I would ask them please to take a close look at that provision.”