Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security

Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives today approved by voice vote the Empowering Law Enforcement to Fight Sex Trafficking Demand Act (H.R. 2480). This bill, authored by Representative Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) and a product of the House Judiciary Committee, ensures that state and local governments are able to obtain and use federal law enforcement grant funding for programs that combat human trafficking, including programs aimed at reducing demand for commercial sex. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions.

Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today delivered the following remarks on the House floor in support of the Empowering Law Enforcement to Fight Sex Trafficking Demand Act (H.R. 2480). Chairman Goodlatte: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.  I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today, Mr. Speaker, we continue our battle against the scourge of human trafficking with H.R. 2480, the Empowering Law Enforcement to Fight Sex Trafficking Demand Act.

Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee today passed a bipartisan, bicameral bill by voice vote to combat our nation’s synthetic drug epidemic, the Stop the Importation and Trafficking of Synthetic Analogues Act of 2017 (H.R. 2851). House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Congressman John Katko (R-N.Y.), chief sponsor of the bill, issued the statements below on today’s Committee approval of the bill. Chairman Goodlatte: “The drug epidemic currently plaguing the United States is destroying lives, families, and communities across the United States. It affects rural and urban areas and grandparents, parents, and kids alike.

Washington, D.C. -- House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today announced updated subcommittee assignments for Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee in the 115^th Congress: Subcommittee on Constitution and Civil Justice Chairman Steve King (IA) Vice Chairman Ron DeSantis (FL) Trent Franks (AZ) Louie Gohmert (TX) Karen Handel (GA) Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet Chairman Darrell Issa (CA) Vice Chairman Doug Collins (GA) Lamar Smith (TX) Steve Chabot (OH) Trent Franks (AZ) Jim Jordan (OH) Ted Poe (TX) Tom Marino (PA) Trey Gowdy (SC) Raúl Labrador (ID) Blake Farenthold (TX)

Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee today approved by voice vote the Empowering Law Enforcement to Fight Sex Trafficking Demand Act (H.R. 2480). This bill, authored by Representative Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.), ensures that state and local governments are able to obtain and use federal law enforcement grant funding for programs that combat human trafficking, including programs aimed at reducing demand for commercial sex. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions.

Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today delivered the following remarks during the House Judiciary Committee’s markup of the Empowering Law Enforcement to Fight Sex Trafficking Demand Act (H.R. 2480). Chairman Goodlatte: Yesterday, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson hosted the State Department’s ceremony to launch the 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report – the 17th installment of the report, which assesses government efforts around the world to combat human trafficking.