U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) have introduced the Enduring Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, a bill aimed at making permanent a criminal penalty that requires certain offenders convicted of human trafficking and abuse to pay a special assessment fine. The proceeds from these fines are directed to the Domestic Trafficking Victims Fund managed by the Department of Justice.
Senator Cornyn commented on the proposal, stating: “It is only right and just for vile predators who are guilty of trafficking, abuse, and exploitation to be penalized and held accountable for the unimaginable pain they inflicted on innocent victims. I was proud to author the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act a decade ago, and I’m looking forward to building on its successes by permanently codifying this criminal penalty requiring offenders to pay a fine that benefits survivors on their path to healing.”
Senator Klobuchar added: “For over a decade, we have been working across the aisle to strengthen and reauthorize our Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. Our work has helped curb trafficking in Minnesota and around the country. This bill ensures critical programs that help support survivors and improve the tools available to federal, state, and local law enforcement will remain available in the future.”
The original Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act was authored by Senator Cornyn and became law in 2015. It established a $5,000 special assessment from individuals convicted of specific federal offenses related to human trafficking or sexual exploitation. However, this provision was set with an expiration date.
The newly proposed legislation seeks to remove this sunset clause so that the special assessment remains in effect indefinitely. Funds collected through these penalties go into the Department of Justice’s Domestic Trafficking Victims’ Fund. This fund supports restorative services for survivors as well as anti-trafficking efforts by law enforcement agencies. Since its inception, it is estimated that more than $100 million has been deposited into this fund for survivor support, with nearly $9 million raised in 2024 alone.
Senator Cornyn has served as U.S. Senator from Texas since first winning election in 2002; he has subsequently won reelection several times including victories against MJ Hegar in 2020, David Alameel in 2014, Rick Noriega in 2008, and Ron Kirk in 2002.
