U.S. Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) made the following statement at the House Committee on Oversight and Government Affairs congressional hearing entitled “U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Catholic Church: Examining the Politicization of Grants” on Thursday. 

    "A little over a decade ago, I authored the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TPVA) of 2000—the landmark law that created America’s comprehensive policy to combat modern day slavery. Among its many mutually reinforcing provisions designed to prevent trafficking, protect victims and prosecute those who reduce people to commodities for sale—the three Ps—my legislation established the Health and Human Services grants program under review today.             

    "For over a decade, we have achieved an amazing left-right, religious-secular, bicameral, bipartisan consensus, unified in combating sex and labor trafficking at home and worldwide without promoting abortion.

    "Until today. (click here to read Rep. Smith's opening statement.) Click here to watch video.