Sanchez backs Obama’s Plan to Combat Human Trafficking

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) today released the following statement in response to several initiatives introduced by the Administration to combat human trafficking, announced by President Obama this morning at the Clinton Global Initiative.

The President announced an Executive Order that outlines prohibitions on trafficking-related activities that will apply to all federal contractors and subcontractors. The Executive Order requires compliance measures for large overseas contracts and subcontracts, and it provides federal agencies with additional tools to foster compliance.

The President also requested increased tools and training to identify and assist trafficking victims and increased resources for victims of human trafficking.

“I’m glad to see the President make this strong commitment to strengthen our efforts to eradicate the world of this tragic abuse of human rights,” said Sanchez. “This ‘modern slavery’ of the world’s most defenseless and vulnerable citizens is immoral and our efforts to combat human trafficking reflect deeply on our own values. We must use our influence to promote human rights and freedoms here and around the world.

“The President’s Executive Order to combat human trafficking in government contracting is a strong step. We must lead by example. Increased resources for victims of human trafficking are also very important. In my own district, Community Service Programs (CSP) and the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force have made significant gains to combat human trafficking in our own backyards.”

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez is proud to represent California’s 47th Congressional District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and parts of Fullerton in Orange County. She serves as Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces and a senior member of the Committee on Homeland Security. Rep. Sanchez is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Joint Economic Committee.