Special to The News

U.S. Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, released the following statements after their bipartisan legislation, the Abolish Human Trafficking Act, was signed into law by President Trump.

The legislation strengthens and reauthorizes key programs supporting survivors of human trafficking and provides resources to law enforcement officials working to combat modern-day slavery.

 “By equipping law enforcement with resources to better fight against human trafficking and connecting survivors with the support they need, we can help those affected restore their lives.” Cornyn said. “Human trafficking is a heinous crime that must be eradicated, and I’m grateful to the Trump Administration for making it a priority.”

“As a former prosecutor, I have seen firsthand the horrors of human trafficking —and it’s happening in our own backyards,” Klobuchar said. “This bipartisan legislation is a major step forward in the fight against human trafficking. This law will strengthen and reauthorize critical programs that support survivors and improve the tools available to federal, state, and local law enforcement.”

 Cornyn and Klobuchar were the authors of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, a 2015 law that increased the resources and tools available for combatting human trafficking in the United States. The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act ensures American law enforcement agencies are equipped to fight this crime, while helping victims rebuild their lives by using fines and penalties against their exploiters to fund restorative services and compensation. The Abolish Human Trafficking Act enhances and expands the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.