Gosar And Horne Back Federal Sex Trafficking Enforcement Bill

Phoenix, AZ (Tuesday, November 5, 2013) –Congressman Paul Gosar (AZ-04), announced his support and co-sponsorship of H.R. 2805, the End Sex Trafficking Act of 2013. This bill would add federal enforcement powers against the "customers" of child prostitutes as opposed to just the sex traffickers themselves.  

Congressman Gosar got involved in this issue after discussions with Attorney General Tom Horne on ways the federal government could assist the state with fighting crime solutions.

"In order to effectively address sex trafficking we need to focus on not just the suppliers of child prostitutes but those creating the demand,” said Congressman Gosar. “This law would subject sex buyers to the same punishment as the sex trafficker where children are enslaved and victimized."

Attorney General Tom Horne noted, "My office is currently working alongside local, national and International agencies to increase penalties for pimps and seek help for victims who have no place to go. Additionally, we are ramping up efforts to stop human sex trafficking in anticipation of the 2015 Super Bowl. This is a global epidemic that requires team work across all levels and the Federal Government's law enforcement can greatly assist our efforts. I greatly appreciate the efforts of Congressman Gosar."

H.R. 2805 expands existing legislation to allow federal law enforcement to prosecute consumers involved in International sex trafficking cases. The bill is sponsored by Congressman Ted Poe (R-Texas). 

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., are offering similar legislation in the Senate, to make it a federal crime to purchase sexual acts from a sex trafficker.