Press Releases

Washington, D.C. (February 27, 2025)—Today, Rep. Lucy McBath, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance, delivered opening remarks at a hearing on protecting victims of human trafficking and online exploitation.

Below are Ranking Member McBath’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at today’s hearing.

WATCH Ranking Member McBath’s opening statement.

Ranking Member Lucy McBath
Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance
Hearing on “Protecting Victims of Human Trafficking and Online Exploitation”
February 27, 2025

Good morning. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to each of our witnesses for joining us today for the first hearing of the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance in the 119th Congress. I welcome all of our Subcommittee members, and I truly hope that we can find common ground this Congress as we work to combat crime and make our communities safer.

Most Americans probably think that we’ve never met a victim of human trafficking or online exploitation —that these crimes happen elsewhere. But the unfortunate reality is that more than 36 million reports of online child sexual exploitation were made in 2023, while reports of online enticement increased more than 300% in just two years. And human trafficking— a multi-billion-dollar industry that includes both sex trafficking and labor trafficking—has been reported in all 50 states.

Before I became a Member of Congress, I was a flight attendant, and I was trained to spot the signs of trafficking. We were taught that if we saw someone in distress, we could reach out and help that person find safety. This training continues today through the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign, which educates people in key industries and the public to help identify victims of trafficking.

But what happens after that victim is discovered—whether by a flight attendant, a doctor, a hotel manager, a friend, or a member of the community?

Almost 25 years ago, Congress recognized that to combat human trafficking effectively, a system was needed that could help victims escape, get the support they need, and—if they were willing—aid law enforcement in prosecuting their trafficker. With the help of trafficking advocates, Congress’s solution was the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, a bipartisan bill that invested in prevention, protection of victims, and prosecutions.

But today, the entire system is in jeopardy.

The current Administration’s chaotic and reckless approach to governing has put lives on the line by freezing funding and stopping the critical work done by organizations that help victims and survivors.

These disruptions have already forced nonprofits to lay off employees. And while some organizations have had their funding restored, they still worry about how the Administration might continue undermining their work.

If the President continues down this path and funding is cut for good, it will be trafficking victims and survivors who pay the price.

Without shelters, where will victims and survivors go?

Without lawyers or social workers, who will advocate for them to make sure they get the services they need?

Without assurances of safety, how will victims work with law enforcement in pursuing charges—charges that might prevent a trafficker from reaching new victims?

If this Administration lets the system fail, victims will have nowhere to turn—and that is exactly what traffickers want. When victims feel like they have nowhere to go, traffickers can promise them safety, then turn on them to resume their exploitation.

Now, I’m sure that there may be some out there who still think this issue doesn’t affect them.  But the reality is that human trafficking and online exploitation, both in the United States and abroad, harm all Americans.

When the Administration attempted to illegally dismantle USAID and froze State Department funding, U.S. antitrafficking efforts were stopped around the world – efforts that protect Americans and U.S. interests. For example, USAID has been working to combat online operations in South Asia, known as “scam farms,” which use forced labor to scam Americans.

Democrats and Republicans have long been able to work together to combat human trafficking and online exploitation. At this moment, we need our Republican colleagues to stand with us in calling on the Administration to stop the chaos and stop the disruptions - join us in protecting these vital programs and organizations and their funding so that we can truly protect the victims and survivors of these reprehensible crimes.

Now is not the time for us to cut off funding for law enforcement and safety efforts. Funding is necessary to combat these egregious crimes.

Thank you and I yield back.