The Senate approved two bipartisan amendments to the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) that would help protect victims of human trafficking.
Sen. Patrick Leahy’s (D-Vt.) amendment passed on a 93-5 vote and would reauthorize appropriations for fiscal years 2014 through 2017 for the Trafficking Victims Protection Act to combat human trafficking. Leahy and the amendment’s co-sponsor, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), said the bill includes accountability measures to make sure the funds are being spent wisely and also streamlines programs to help victims.
Jodi Rave Spotted Bear (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation)
Founder & Editor in Chief
Location: Twin Buttes, North Dakota
Spoken Languages: English
Topic Expertise: Federal trust relationship with American Indians; Indigenous issues ranging from spirituality and environment to education and land rights
See the journalist pageFor everyone who cares about transparency in Native affairs: We exist to illuminate tribal government. Our work bridges the gap left by tribal-controlled media and non-Native, extractive journalism, providing the insights necessary for truly informed decision-making and a better quality of life. Because the consequences of restricted press freedom affect our communities every day, our trauma-informed reporting is rooted in a deep, firsthand expertise.
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