Senator Wyden's productive week: legislation to fight sex trafficking, outlaw "secret holds" advance
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Aug 6
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Posted in Public safety, Changing D.C.. |
Senator Wyden's productive week: legislation to fight sex trafficking, outlaw "secret holds" move forward
In the final week before the August recess, Senator Ron Wyden was very productive. Two of his bills, to combat the growing problem of teen sex trafficking and to outlaw the obstructionist practice of "secret holds," both took strong steps forward this week.
Senator Wyden's bipartisan effort to end teen sex trafficking - modern day "human slavery" - made significant progress over the last few days. After Senator Wyden announced in Portland that the city's YWCA would soon be home to a new shelter for survivors of this abhorrent practice, the Senate Judiciary Committee officially passed his bill. It will soon be debated by the full Senate.
“Today’s bipartisan vote sends a clear message that sexual slavery will not be tolerated in the United States,” Wyden said on the bill's passage. “Putting a real end to sex trafficking means doing more than just locking up those involved. A serious effort must also be made to address the factors driving the cycle of exploitation."
But Senator Wyden didn't stop there. He also has been busy fighting to forever end "secret holds" in the Senate, whereby an individual Senator an anonymously obstruct any piece of legislation. While Senator Wyden has been trying to end this undemocratic practice for 13 years, the Senate took a firm step toward passing bill this week, as it was scheduled for debate and a floor vote in September when the Senate returns from recess.
“While the last thirteen years have taught me not to underestimate our opponents in this fight, I believe we are finally on the verge of enacting real reform that makes it clear that no one Senator – on either side of the aisle – should be able to bring Congress to a halt without consequence," said Wyden. "While the conventional wisdom is that it is impossible to both reform the Senate and achieve bipartisanship, I believe we are going to do both.”
Posted on August 6, 2010 in Public safety, Changing D.C..
