Rep. Torres Cracks Down on Child Traffickers and Corrupt Diplomacy in National Security Funding Bill Amendments
Child Trafficker Amendment Passes, Advancing Accountability and Preventing Sanctions Relief for Predators
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS), announced two critical amendments during the National Security Full Committee markup aimed at strengthening accountability and protecting vulnerable populations.
The amendments take direct aim at child trafficking and self-dealing diplomatic actors, ensuring U.S. taxpayer dollars are never used to shield abusers or fund diplomacy.
“If you traffic children, you should never get a pass from the United States government and I’m proud that my amendment passed and puts us on record standing up for victims and holding traffickers accountable,” said Congresswoman Torres. “But Republicans turned around and blocked a simple, common-sense transparency measure. My No Blank Check Diplomacy amendment would have required basic financial disclosures before taxpayer dollars are used to support diplomatic appointees. That’s not controversial, it’s accountability. Instead, Republicans chose to shield unelected envoys from scrutiny and deny the American people the transparency they deserve. I’ll keep fighting to make sure accountability, transparency, and human rights are reflected in how we spend every taxpayer dollar.”
No Sanctuary for Child Traffickers:
Rep. Torres’ first amendment passed and ensures that no funds in the bill can be used to lift or waive sanctions against individuals credibly accused of child trafficking, unless the Secretary of State certifies, at least 60 days in advance, that doing so is essential to U.S. national security and provides a written justification to Congress.
This provision relies on determinations made by the Office of Foreign Asset Control.
No Blank Check Diplomacy:
The second amendment requires full financial transparency from any Special Envoy, Special Representative, or diplomatic appointee before taxpayer funds can be used to support their work. Under the amendment, no federal funds may be spent on travel, communications, staffing, or other non-security support unless the individual has filed a complete financial disclosure with the Office of Government Ethics within 30 days, and made it publicly available.
As a longtime advocate for transparency and human rights, Congresswoman Torres continues to push for policies that uphold American values at home and abroad while ensuring taxpayer resources are used responsibly.
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