Congressman DeSaulnier Statement on H.R. 1865

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman DeSaulnier (CA-11) issued the following statement after voting in opposition to the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (H.R. 1865).

"Across the globe, more than 20 million people become victims of sex trafficking every year. As Chair of the Labor Committee in the California State Senate, I held a hearing on the impact of this serious human rights violation on the victims and how we might be able to influence the labor market to decrease this practice.

While I applaud the intent of H.R. 1865, its unintended consequences could do more harm than good. In addition to the sex trafficking provisions, the bill further criminalizes people who have been forced into sex work with no other options to provide for themselves and their families. Rather than criminalize the outcomes, we should address the root causes of these decisions, like lack of job access or training.

I hope instead to support legislation that protects victims of sex trafficking without harming others.

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