washington dc – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R, Tennessee) introduced legislation to prevent human traffickers and drug traffickers from continuing to defraud American taxpayers while awaiting indictment and conviction. bottom.
Senator Blackburn followed her lead with legislation to stop taxpayers from funding human traffickers. recent visit To the Del Rio sector on the US-Mexico border.
The bill is also co-sponsored by Senators Cindy Hyde Smith (R-Mississippi), Katie Britt (R-Alabama) and Mike Brown (R-Indiana). Rep. Kat Camack (R-Florida) led legislation in the US House of Representatives.
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Human Trafficking Intelligence Analyst treated Of the 1,268 tips in 2021-2022, 621 were about minors. In 2022, 184,000 fentanyl-laced tablets Seized by Louisville, Kentucky Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) divisions, including Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia.they also seized more 316 pounds of fentanyl powder.
“Over the past two years, President Joe Biden’s open-border policy has fueled cartels, making human trafficking a $13 billion industry, and criminal cartels making up to $14 million a day. Agencies have seized more than 14,000 pounds of fentanyl at the border — enough to kill more than 3.3 billion people — and we cannot continue to encourage this blatant criminal activity. Taxpayers, already crushed by inflation, will not be forced to fund the criminal lifestyles that make our country more dangerous,” said Senator Blackburn. .
Senator Hyde Smith said, “Entire communities are being destroyed at the hands of drug and human traffickers, and a portion of the tax money from these communities is being used to house these criminals in government housing. “This law prevents traffickers from enjoying such government benefits after being charged with drug or trafficking offenses.”
“American taxpayers should not be forced to use the border crisis of the Biden administration to subsidize vulnerable people and deadly drug-trafficking monsters.” is taking lives, destroying families and ravaging communities in record time, causing untold suffering in every corner of the country. It is time to end the incentives and loopholes that are facilitating them, and I am grateful to Senator Blackburn for his continued leadership on this important topic.”
“Over the past two years, we have witnessed the horrific consequences of the Biden border crisis, including the devastating damage to communities across the country from drug and human trafficking. We have recovered bricks of fentanyl with stamps from , as well as tablet presses and sophisticated distribution schemes. “The people responsible for drug and human trafficking in our borders and waters are seeking federal assistance after breaking the law.” It is not only wrong, it rewards those who have perpetuated this deadly crisis. We look forward to growing our support.”
The law has the support of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Putnam County (Tennessee) Sheriff, the Montgomery County (Tennessee) Sheriff, and the Cochise County (Arizona) Sheriff.
“Human traffickers have a devastating impact on communities across the country, especially those on the border. I applaud Senator Blackburn for closing this gap.Furthermore, this law will free up taxpayer funds by providing individuals with refunds if their claims are dropped. It strikes the right balance between protecting and serving the cause of justice. rice field.
“We appreciate the work Senator Blackburn is doing to stop humans and drug traffickers. “We can’t go on. Human traffickers are killing Tennesseans every day with fentanyl-laced drugs. We need to stop these criminals from receiving their hard-earned taxes,” said Tennessee. Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris said.
“Local law enforcement officials, along with the growing number of victims, families of victims, and state and federal officials, pleaded and pleaded with the Biden administration to properly address this crisis. And we continue to see criminal enterprises thriving at our border!” said Sheriff John Huson of Montgomery County, Tennessee.
We are paying for this crisis with our lives and money. This is outrageous. A big thank you to Senator Marsha Blackburn for acting by introducing legislation to stop taxpayer funding of human traffickers. This bill prohibits anyone charged with drug or human trafficking in our borders or territorial waters from receiving federal benefits. It’s a shame,” said Sheriff Fuson.
Even after criminals are indicted for federal drug and human trafficking crimes, many of them continue to live in government housing and exploit and traffick women and children while receiving other government benefits. continue to smuggle drugs across borders.
The Stop Taxpayer Funding for Human Traffickers Act:
- Prohibits persons charged with drug or human trafficking in our borders or waters from receiving federal benefits.
- It defines “drug trafficking offenses” as federal crimes involving the distribution of controlled substances as a component.
- It defines “human trafficking crimes” as a series of crimes involving the smuggling, transportation and concealment of individuals.
- We define “Federal Benefits” to include grants, contracts, loans, professional or commercial license issuances provided by any United States agency or appropriate United States funds, as well as retirement, welfare, and social security. , health, disability, veterans, or public housing benefits.
- Provides for the return of benefits to individuals deprived of benefits under this section if the charges are dismissed or the individual is acquitted.
Find a copy of the bill text here.
