Congressmen Deluzio & Luttrell Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Human Trafficking

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) and Congressman Morgan Luttrell (TX-8) introduced the bipartisan Empowering Law Enforcement to Fight Sex Trafficking Demand Act. This legislation would support efforts to combat human and sex trafficking nationwide by making these initiatives eligible for funding through a critical federal grant program for state and local governments—the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. 

“The folks in Western Pennsylvania who sent me to Congress expect me to do all I can to make our communities safer,” said Congressman Deluzio. “That’s why I am glad to join Congressman Luttrell to co-lead the Fight Sex Trafficking Demand Act to direct more federal resources to fight the source of human trafficking across America.”   

“Human trafficking is a heinous crime that has invaded communities across our nation, and Texas currently ranks as the number two state in America for this abuse,” said Congressman Luttrell. “Tragically, the situation was further exacerbated as cartels exploited our open border. We must draw a hard line, and this legislation will provide law enforcement the resources to do just that. Human traffickers cannot be allowed to terrorize and exploit our communities any longer.” 

The JAG Program is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. The JAG Program currently provides state and local governments with critical funding necessary to support a range of program areas, including law enforcement, prosecution and court programs, drug treatment and enforcement, crime victim and witness initiatives, and mental health programs. Congressman Deluzio’s legislation amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to add another category of eligible initiatives to the JAG Program—those to combat human and sex trafficking. 

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