Yoho Takes Steps To Combat Human Trafficking

Washington D.C. – Congressman Ted Yoho (R-FL-03) voted in favor of five bipartisan bills (H.R.- 3530, 4058, 3610, 4225, 4573) that will help stop the spread and combat human trafficking. Congressman Yoho gave the following speech - on the floor of the House - in support of the legislation and to raise awareness about the problem of human trafficking:

Mr. Speaker,

I rise in complete support of erasing human trafficking from the face of the earth. And I am a proud cosponsor of all five of the bipartisan bills before us today. Bills that will give us the tools and resources we need to combat the plague that is human trafficking. It is unacceptable that today, in 2014, human beings are sold, owned, and held against their will. Living a life, that is, for lack of a better term…hell on earth. Human trafficking is defined by the Department of Homeland Security as a modern-day form of slavery involving the illegal trade of people for exploitation or commercial gain.

The victims of human trafficking are the most vulnerable among us: the poor, immigrants in search of a better life, women, and even children. These exploited persons are victimized by the traffickers, who lure them in with false promises of a better life, and are then coerced into unspeakable acts, domestic servitude, or other types of forced labor. The traffickers only see their victims as a means to make a profit, no different than a commodity or livestock on a farm, and certainly not as the human beings that they are.

Too often in our own communities there is a lack of pushback or even awareness that this terrible practice of modern day servitude exists. It does. And it happens within our own neighborhoods, towns, and counties. Even when the problem of trafficking is realized, law enforcement does not have the tools it needs to go after the criminals or take care of the victims.

America needs to take a hard stance, lead on the issue, and let it be known that there is zero tolerance for this horrendous practice. The first step is educating entire communities, since a lack of awareness is our foremost threat. Second, we must provide the resources to law enforcement and make this a priority among the legal community. Finally, we need to recognize and treat the victims of trafficking as victims – not as criminals. 

My home offices in Florida have been taking steps – and will continue to do so – to make North Central Florida a no tolerance zone for human trafficking. We have brought together representatives from the Department of Homeland Security, county sheriffs offices, local police departments, and State Attorneys offices for round table discussions on how to best address this problem and raise awareness.

Fighting human trafficking is not a Republican or Democrat issue. It is an issue that we as Americans must come together and fight. I am proud to support the bipartisan bills before us and I encourage my fellow Members to support them as well so that we can begin restoring dignity to every human being.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back.

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Congressman Ted Yoho serves on the Foreign Affairs and Agriculture Committees. He represents North Florida’s 3rd Congressional District