A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress concerning the worldwide trafficking of persons, that has a disproportionate impact on women and girls, and is condemned by the international community as a violation of fundamental human rights.

Summary

Expresses the sense of the Congress that trafficking: (1) consists of all acts involved in the recruitment or transportation of persons within or across borders involving deception, coercion or force, abuse of authority, debt bondage or fraud, for the purpose of placing persons in situations of abuse or exploitation; and (2) involves kidnapping, false imprisonment, rape, battering, forced labor, or slavery-like practices which violate fundamental human rights. Urges the Department of Justice Office of Violence Against Women to report to the Congress on: (1) efforts to identify instances of trafficking of persons into the United States within the last five years; (2) the successes or difficulties experienced in promoting interagency cooperation, cooperation between local, State, and Federal authorities, and cooperation with nongovernmental organizations; (3) the treatment and services provided and the disposition of trafficking cases in the criminal justice system; and (4) legal and administrative barriers to more effective governmental responses. Urges that trafficking victims be provided with support services and incentives to testify. Calls on the Secretary of State to: (1) develop curricula and conduct training for consular officers on the prevalence and risks of trafficking and the rights of victims; and (2) develop and disperse to visa seekers written materials describing the potential risks of trafficking. Commends the Department of State and the European Union for their joint initiative to promote awareness of the problem of trafficking throughout countries of origin in Eastern Europe and the independent states of the former Soviet Union. Urges their continued efforts to engage in similar programs in other regions and to ensure that the dignity and human rights of trafficking victims are protected in destination countries. Calls for: (1) the State Department's Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs to continue to provide and expand funding to support criminal justice training programs which include trafficking; and (2) the President's Interagency Council on Women to report to the Congress regarding implementation by the Secretary of State and the Attorney General of the duties described in this resolution.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 10 March 1998

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 10 March 1998

   Introduced

   Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1703-1704)

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 10 March 1998

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 23 July 1998

   Reported

   Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

   Source: Committee

5. 25 August 1998

   Calendars

   Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 531.

   Source: Calendars

6. 25 August 1998

   Reported

   Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported to Senate by Senator Helms under the authority of the order of Jul 31, 98 with an amendment and an amended preamble. Without written report.

   Source: Committee

7. 25 August 1998

   Reported

   Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported to Senate by Senator Helms under the authority of the order of Jul 31, 98 with an amendment and an amended preamble. Without written report.

   Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Reported to Senate · 25 August 1998 · Official file
• Introduced in Senate · 10 March 1998 · Official file

Documents

6 official files

• Reported to Senate (text)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 25 August 1998

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Reported to Senate (PDF)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 25 August 1998

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 25 August 1998

  Open at official source

• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 10 March 1998

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 10 March 1998

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 10 March 1998

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Sen. Wellstone, Paul D. [D-MN] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] · D · Sponsor
• Richard Durbin · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT-2] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Torricelli, Robert G. [D-NJ-9] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Moseley-Braun, Carol [D-IL] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Kennedy, Edward M. [D-MA] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA-6] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Levin, Carl [D-MI] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Mikulski, Barbara A. [D-MD] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Faircloth, Lauch [R-NC] · R · Cosponsor
• Patty Murray · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Moynihan, Daniel Patrick [D-NY] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Feingold, Russell D. [D-WI] · D · Cosponsor
• · ssfr00 · Standing

Related records

• related to → Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 1998 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002.
• related to → Expressing the sense of Congress concerning the worldwide trafficking of persons, that has a disproportionate impact on women and girls, and is condemned by the international community as a violation of fundamental human rights.