WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (MO-02), House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), and bill cosponsors Congresswoman Mimi Walters (CA-45), Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12), and Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-OH3), released the below statements following House passage of H.R. 1865, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act(FOSTA).
‘Today, when the House of Representatives voted to pass FOSTA, we sent a clear message to trafficking victims: you are not alone, and justice is no longer out of reach,’ said Congresswoman Ann Wagner (MO-02). ‘FOSTA will produce more prosecutions of bad actor websites, more convictions, and put more predators behind bars. It will give victims a pathway to justice and provide a meaningful criminal deterrent, so that fewer businesses will ever enter the sex trade, and fewer victims will ever be sold. Today, because of the hard work and dedication of the Judiciary Committee, the Energy and Commerce Committee, House Leadership, my staff, and my many colleagues, we have passed legislation that will be transformative in the fight to end online sex trafficking. I would also like to thank the brave survivors, dozens of advocacy groups, and tech organizations who came together to find a solution. I encourage the Senate to take swift action on this legislation to ensure that victims have a pathway to justice and that the businesses that sell our children online can no longer do so with impunity.’
‘This Congress will continue the fight to end human trafficking and support the victims of this heinous crime,’ said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.‘The work Congresswoman Wagner has done on behalf of every victim of this crime should be applauded. It shines a light onto the darkest corners of the internet to make sure we can hold anyone who supports trafficking in any way accountable. Together, we can take huge strides toward ending human trafficking. Today’s bill by Ann will greatly help in that fight.’
