‘Thoughtful’ congressman’s bill battles human trafficking

Congressman Chris Smith and I have known each other for more than a decade. He's one of the most sincere, thoughtful and strong leaders in the House of Representatives.

He's actually one of the most compelling arguments against term limits for federal lawmakers. Communication with constituents, solving problems and moving meaningful legislation through the national legislature are the hallmarks of his career. He joined me on air Friday morning to talk about his career long battle against human trafficking.

Recently he authored and championed a bill that passed the House and will spend resources empowering law enforcement and educating kids. It's named after Frederick Douglass, the famous escaped slave who dedicated his life to fighting for the freedom of others.

According to Smith's website, his bill builds on his Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, "strengthening penalties against traffickers and reauthorizing $130 million in funding for the prevention of human trafficking, protection of victims and prosecution of traffickers."

On his website, Smith said that when the TVPA of 1998 was first introduced it was met with indifference.

“We were blocked at high levels of government," Smith said in a statement on his website. "The wheels of justice turned slowly, but they have carried us to a place in the United States, and internationally, where the fight against human trafficking cuts across political parties and borders, national and international institutions. Victims are being rescued and rehabilitated. Traffickers are being imprisoned in record numbers. Those alongside us will soon outnumber those fighting against us.”

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