Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the author of the United States’ landmark Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) used to arrest Jeffrey Epstein and convict Ghislaine Maxwell, issued the following statement in support of the Epstein Files Transparency Act (HR 4405):

                “Among the despicable 4,803 human trafficking predators who have been convicted under my federal anti-human trafficking law is Ghislaine Maxwell, an associate of Jeffrey Epstein, who was tried, convicted and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for the crime of sex trafficking.

                “Jeffrey Epstein was also arrested and charged under my law—and likely would have been convicted, had he not died before his case went to trial.

                “For their pervasive mental and physical abuses of underaged girls, both Epstein and Maxwell were charged with two counts under the statute—sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors (18 U.S.C. § 1591).

                “To date, $365 million in settlements have been paid out to Epstein’s victims—trafficking survivors—who, under the TVPA, filed for damages against financial institutions who participated in, financially benefited from, or were complicit in Epstein’s sex trafficking operations.

                “The United States has long been the leading force in defending victims in the global fight against human trafficking—and our indefatigable commitment to advocating for the vulnerable and holding perpetrators accountable cannot and should not be undermined by any real or perceived lack of transparency.

                “Our whole-of-government approach to fighting trafficking must be open to public scrutiny. The release of records relevant to Epstein’s criminal network will only help us to gain even greater insight to the abusive, exploitive nature of human trafficking enterprises, gaps in our ability to identify and fight trafficking, and what additional steps need to be taken to stop future predators and copy-cat networks from entrapping and trafficking victims. 

                “I have met with hundreds of trafficking survivors—including those abused by Epstein and Maxwell—whose stories are both devastating and heartbreaking. Many are making significant strides in rebuilding their lives, and all want justice for survivors, accountability for perpetrators, and strong laws that are fully and faithfully executed to protect the vulnerable.  

                “The original TVPA and my four additional anti-human trafficking laws have created the comprehensive framework for trafficking prevention, protection, and prosecution both in the United States and around the world.

                “As we mark the 25th anniversary of the original TVPA, we recommit ourselves to the promise we made in 2000: that all persons shall live free from coercion, exploitation, and modern-day slavery. 

                “We must act with courage, compassion, resolve and transparency to ensure that freedom is more than a word—it is a lived reality for every human being.”

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