We must continue to fight modern day slavery and work to enact legislation that brings us to a brighter future, free of this horrific injustice.”

Rep. Eliot Engel (D-New York)

Rep. Mike McCaul (R-Texas) and Rep. Eliot Engel (D-New York) have introduced the Leveraging Information on Foreign Traffickers Act – otherwise known as the LIFT Act – to help combat human trafficking across the nation. The bill, a bipartisan measure in a legislature that many see has become increasingly partisan, is designed to ensure information is provided to human trafficking prevention entities in a timely manner according to a Jan. 24 press release issued jointly by both congressmen.

“We need to do all we can to end the scourge of human trafficking,” said Engel. “The LIFT Act enhances the State Department’s ability to gather information on this heinous crime and engages survivors into the U.S. policy-making process.”

The press release said the LIFT Act will establish standardized deadlines for law enforcement agencies to submit annual Trafficking in Persons Reports – commonly known as TIPs. Additionally, the measure will help funnel information in a timely manner to law enforcement agencies regarding foreigners who have been denied entry into the U.S. for slavery-related reasons and extends the trafficking survivor-led Advisory Council on Human Trafficking through 2025, allowing survivors to remain a primary part of slavery policy discussions in the U.S.

“I am grateful to have worked closely with survivors of human trafficking and their perspectives have been invaluable to the policy process. It is crucial that these survivors remain at the center of the conversation,” McCaul said.

About 25 million people face some form of slavery worldwide, McCaul said, including about 300,000 human trafficking victims in Texas. Sharing information promptly and efficiently can help combat the issue, he added.

“The LIFT Act facilitates information sharing between U.S. anti-trafficking officials and law enforcement so that those tasked with monitoring and targeting trafficking have all relevant data at their disposal,” McCaul said.

“We must continue to fight modern day slavery and work to enact legislation that brings us to a brighter future, free of this horrific injustice,” Engel added.