Expressing support for the designation of January 2026 as "National Human Trafficking Prevention Month".

Bill Number

H.Res. 1024

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-01-30: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-02-03T15:48:36Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 1024) expresses the U.S. House of Representatives' support for designating January 2026 as "National Human Trafficking Prevention Month." It aims to raise awareness about human trafficking—a serious crime involving forced labor, sexual exploitation, and other violations of human rights—and to reaffirm the nation's commitment to preventing it, protecting victims, and prosecuting offenders.

Key Provisions

The resolution includes several "Whereas" clauses providing background and rationale, followed by five main resolved actions:

• Support for the designation: Affirms the U.S. commitment to ending all forms of human trafficking.
• Encouragement for partnerships: Urges state, local, Tribal governments, faith-based groups, community organizations, and private sector entities to participate in prevention efforts, victim support, and public education customized to local communities.
• Call for law enforcement: Pushes for robust actions, including securing borders, enforcing immigration laws, and fully prosecuting traffickers.
• Recognition of key contributors: Acknowledges the vital roles of survivors, families, faith leaders, and community advocates in developing effective and compassionate anti-trafficking strategies.
• Promotion of public vigilance: Encourages all Americans to learn signs of trafficking and report suspicious activities quickly.

It references existing laws like the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (a federal law that provides tools to prevent trafficking, aid victims, and punish perpetrators) and highlights statistics from the National Human Trafficking Hotline, such as 11,999 potential cases in 2024 and over 112,000 cases since its start.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws. It builds on prior commitments, such as the Thirteenth Amendment (which bans slavery and forced labor in the U.S. Constitution) and the 2000 Trafficking Victims Protection Act, without altering them.

Potential Impacts

• On government agencies: May prompt increased coordination among federal, state, local, and Tribal entities for anti-trafficking initiatives, including better enforcement and victim services, though it lacks enforceable requirements.
• On citizens: Boosts public awareness through observances like National Human Trafficking Awareness Day (January 11), potentially leading to more reports to hotlines and community involvement, helping identify and support victims.
• On international relations: Reinforces U.S. leadership in global anti-trafficking efforts by highlighting the issue's worldwide scope, but has no direct foreign policy effects.

Overall, impacts are primarily symbolic and educational, fostering vigilance without mandating new actions or funding.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Victims and survivors: Benefit from heightened focus on support and recognition of their input in policy.
• Law enforcement and government officials: Encouraged to strengthen prosecutions, border security, and immigration enforcement.
• Communities and organizations: Includes faith-based groups, nonprofits, and private businesses, called upon for education and local prevention efforts.
• General public: Urged to stay alert and report issues, affecting everyday awareness in all U.S. states and territories.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces the framework of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act without adding new obligations; emphasizes accountability for traffickers under existing criminal laws.
• Constitutional: Ties into the Thirteenth Amendment's prohibition on slavery, underscoring human dignity and freedom as core American values.
• Political: Serves as a bipartisan signal of congressional unity on human rights, potentially influencing future legislation or funding for anti-trafficking programs. As a resolution introduced in the 119th Congress (2nd Session) and referred to the House Judiciary Committee, it highlights ongoing domestic priorities without requiring a vote to pass into law.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5]

Recent Actions

• 2026-01-30: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2026-01-30: Submitted in House
• 2026-01-30: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Expressing support for the designation of January 2026 as "National Human Trafficking Prevention Month". — issued 2026-01-30 — PDF (3 pages)