PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 109-164.
Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Jan 10, 2006
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on December 14, 2005. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 - Title I: Combatting International Trafficking in Persons - (Sec. 101) Amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (Act) to direct The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of State (Department), and the Department of Defense (DOD) to incorporate anti-trafficking and protection measures for vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, into their post-conflict and humanitarian emergency assistance and program activities.
Directs the Secretary of State (Secretary) and the Administrator of USAID to conduct a study and report regarding the threat and practice of trafficking in persons (trafficking) generated by post-conflict and humanitarian emergencies in foreign countries.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
(Sec. 102) Provides, to the extent practicable, trafficking victims with access to information about federally funded or administered anti-trafficking programs that provide services to victims of severe forms of trafficking.
Directs the Administrator to: (1) carry out a study to identify best practices for the rehabilitation of trafficking victims in group residential facilities in foreign countries; (2) carry out a pilot program to establish residential treatment facilities in foreign countries for trafficking victims based upon the best practices identified in the study; and (3) report to the Committee on International Relations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate on such pilot program's implementation. Authorizes FY2006-FY2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 103) Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to extend the sexually violent offender registration program to foreign offenses.
(Sec. 104) Amends the Act to revise: (1) Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking (Task Force) membership; and (2) minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.
Includes HIV/AIDS within the health risk research on the effects of trafficking.
Requires the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center to report to the appropriate congressional committees respecting research initiatives on domestic and international trafficking.
Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to require foreign service training to include instruction on international documents and U.S. policy on trafficking.
Amends the Act to require that the Secretary's annual trafficking report include information on measures taken by the United Nations (U.N.), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and other multilateral organizations in which the United States participates to prevent the involvement of the organization's employees, contractor personnel, and peacekeeping forces in trafficking.
Directs the Secretary, prior to voting for a peacekeeping mission, to notify the appropriate committees respecting measures taken to prevent peacekeeping personnel from involvement in trafficking or sexual exploitation.
(Sec. 105) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking of the Department should intensify the Office's focus on forced labor: (1) in countries that do not comply with minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; and (2) other countries in which forced labor continues to be a serious human rights concern.
Directs the Secretary of Labor, through the Bureau of International Labor Affairs, to carry out additional activities to monitor and combat forced labor and child labor in foreign countries, including: (1) developing a public list of goods believed to be produced by forced labor or child labor in violation of international standards; and (2) ensuring that such products are not imported into the United States.
Title II: Combatting Domestic Trafficking in Persons - (Sec. 201) Directs the Attorney General to: (1) use state, local, and research data to carry out a biennial research and statistical review and analysis of severe forms of trafficking and of sex trafficking and unlawful commercial sex acts in the United States; and (2) conduct an annual conference in each of FY2006-FY2008, and thereafter conduct a biennial conference, addressing severe forms of trafficking and commercial sex acts in the United States. Authorizes FY2006-FY2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 202) Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants (75% maximum federal share) to states, Indian tribes, local government, and nonprofit, nongovernmental victims' service organizations to establish or expand assistance programs for U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens who are the subject of sex trafficking or severe forms of trafficking that occurs in the United States. Authorizes FY2006-FY2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) carry out a pilot program to establish residential treatment facilities in the United States for juveniles subjected to trafficking; and (2) submit an implementation report to Congress. Authorizes FY2006-FY2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 204) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants (75% maximum federal share) to states and local law enforcement agencies to establish or expand programs to combat trafficking. Authorizes FY2006-FY2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 205) Requires reports respecting the amount, recipient, and purpose of each grant under sections 202 and 204 of this Act.
(Sec. 206) Requires each federal department or agency involved in grant activities related to combatting trafficking or providing services to persons subjected to trafficking inside the United States to apprise the Senior Policy Operating Group of such activities in order to ensure consistency with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000.
(Sec. 207) Defines specified terms.
Title III: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 301) Authorizes appropriations through FY2007 for: (1) the Task Force, including amounts for official representation and reception expenses; (2) the Secretary of Health and Human Services for U.S. victims; (3) the Secretary for bilateral assistance to combat trafficking; (4) assistance to the Attorney General; (5) assistance to the President for foreign victims assistance, assistance to foreign countries to meet minimum standards, and research; and (6) assistance to the Secretary of Labor.
Authorizes: (1) FY2006 appropriations for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to investigate severe forms of trafficking; and (2) FY 2006-FY2007 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigations of severe forms of trafficking.
People & committees
Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] · R–NJ
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 109-164.
Became Public Law No: 109-164.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Cleared for White House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S14417-14420)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S14417-14420)
Received in the Senate, read twice.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 426 - 0 (Roll no. 632). (text: CR H11570-11574)
House roll call 632 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 426 - 0 (Roll no. 632).(text: CR H11570-11574)
House roll call 632 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H11585-11586)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minuntes of debate on H.R. 972.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H11570-11579)
Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 183.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 109-317, Part II.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 109-317, Part II.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims Discharged.
House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 8, 2005.
Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
Committee on Armed Services discharged.
Committee on Armed Services discharged.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on International Relations. H. Rept. 109-317, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on International Relations. H. Rept. 109-317, Part I.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1026-1027)
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Executive Comment Requested from DOD.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E399-400)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H854-855)
Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Relations.
Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E269-271)
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jun 6, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.972 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.972 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.972 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.972 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.