Cornyn Leads Bipartisan Effort to Permanently Fund Support for Trafficking Victims

In a bipartisan push to support victims of human trafficking, U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R) and Amy Klobuchar (D) have introduced the Enduring Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, which seeks to permanently enforce a financial penalty on convicted traffickers.

The bill corrects a technical flaw in the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, authored by Cornyn, by removing a sunset provision that allowed the law’s special assessment fine to lapse. That fine, a $5,000 payment levied on certain offenders convicted of federal trafficking or sexual exploitation crimes, goes directly into the Domestic Trafficking Victims Fund managed by the U.S. Department of Justice.

“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,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I’m looking forward to building on [the Act’s] successes by permanently codifying this criminal penalty.”

Sen. Klobuchar emphasized the importance of continued bipartisan cooperation, “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.”

Since its inception, the fund has accumulated over $100 million, including nearly $9 million in 2024 alone. The money supports restorative services for survivors and enhances law enforcement’s capacity to combat trafficking nationwide.

The Enduring Justice Act aims to ensure that those who commit horrifying acts against vulnerable individuals continue to face meaningful financial consequences, and that those funds help victims heal and rebuild their lives.