Christopher Smith (R-NJ)
Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 12 Democratic cosponsors · See all 25 cosponsors
Last activity — Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Introduced, nothing more yet
Formally proposed, and not yet handed to a committee.
Nearly every bill is sent to a committee within days. Introduction alone is not a sign of support, of momentum, or of any likelihood of passing — any member may introduce any bill.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025, aims to reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. It introduces new grant programs focused on human trafficking prevention education in the United States. The legislation also establishes a program to support the employment and education of trafficking survivors to help them achieve self-sufficiency. Internationally, the bill modifies how the United States fights human trafficking abroad, including changes to tier standards and assistance policies. Additionally, it updates various funding authorizations and extends the International Megan's Law.
Yes· 3 of 16
- Scored +8
Would children be better off under this?
The bill prioritizes grants for preventing child sex trafficking and child labor trafficking.
- Scored +7
Does this shorten or soften prison sentences?
The bill provides assistance for the expungement of criminal records for nonviolent crimes committed due to victimization.
- Scored +6
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
The bill provides support for survivors, including those in the foster and child welfare systems.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this send more money or help to other countries?
The bill modifies and clarifies the scope of foreign assistance that may be withheld from countries failing to meet trafficking standards.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Targeted Prevention Education: The bill prioritizes grants for local educational agencies serving areas with high-intensity child sex trafficking or significant child labor trafficking (Section 101(a)(4)).
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Support for At-Risk Youth: By consulting with various government secretaries, the bill seeks to identify and protect high-risk populations, such as homeless youth, foster youth, and those involved in the child welfare system (Section 101(a)(4)).
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Empowerment of Survivors: The creation of the Frederick Douglass Human Trafficking Survivors Employment and Education Program provides survivors with help for life-skills, job training, and education to achieve self-sufficiency (Section 102(a) and (b)).
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Legal and Financial Assistance for Survivors: The program offers assistance with the expungement of criminal records for nonviolent crimes committed due to victimization, as well as help with credit repair (Section 102(b)(5)).
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Improved International Safety: The bill directs the President to ensure that foreign assistance does not increase the vulnerability of people to trafficking during natural or manmade disasters (Section 203).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Scrutiny on Foreign Governments: The modification of Tier 2 watch list standards may change how specific countries are monitored regarding their efforts to combat trafficking (Section 202(a)).
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Restrictions on Foreign Assistance: The bill clarifies the scope of nonhumanitarian, nontrade-related foreign assistance that is withheld from central governments that fail to meet minimum standards (Section 204(a)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes grants for preventing child sex trafficking and child labor trafficking. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill provides support for survivors, including those in the foster and child welfare systems. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill targets assistance toward economically disadvantaged students and at-risk populations. Would women be better off under this? — The bill provides critical support services for survivors of sexual exploitation. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill emphasizes culturally responsive and linguistically accessible training and support. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill includes trauma-informed approaches for service delivery. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill focuses on local educational agencies in high-intensity trafficking areas.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this shorten or soften prison sentences? — The bill provides assistance for the expungement of criminal records for nonviolent crimes committed due to victimization. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill provides survivors with education, job training, and life-skills to achieve self-sufficiency. Does this make housing cost less? — The bill authorizes increased funding for the Office of Victims of Crime Housing Assistance Grants. Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The bill helps foreign-born victims qualify for Continued Presence, T-Visas, and other federal services. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill prioritizes prevention grants for local agencies serving racial or ethnic minority children.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The bill provides scholarship assistance for survivors attending college or technical school. Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill mentions using technological tools to combat trafficking transmitted through technology.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill provides assistance for victims to access funds for mental health care.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the annual TIP report to be made available to the public in a printed hardcopy format.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this send more money or help to other countries? — The bill modifies and clarifies the scope of foreign assistance that may be withheld from countries failing to meet trafficking standards.
- 6/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/7/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/21/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/26/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/26/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/23/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/22/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/5/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/25/2025
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 2/14/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/7/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Education and Workforce, 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.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- 119-HR-2796: Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025
- 119-HR-2961: Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025
- 119-HR-4113: Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025
Henry CuellarDemocrat · Texas
Lloyd DoggettDemocrat · Texas
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Pat HarriganRepublican · North Carolina
Julie JohnsonDemocrat · Texas
Brian JackRepublican · Georgia
Stephen LynchDemocrat · Massachusetts
Anna Paulina LunaRepublican · Florida
Kweisi MfumeDemocrat · Maryland
Michael McCaulRepublican · Texas
Blake MooreRepublican · Utah
Cory MillsRepublican · Florida
Ryan MackenzieRepublican · Pennsylvania
Sarah McBrideDemocrat · Delaware
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Mike QuigleyDemocrat · Illinois
Aumua Amata RadewagenRepublican · American Samoa
Maria SalazarRepublican · Florida
Brad ShermanDemocrat · California
Thomas SuozziDemocrat · New York
David ValadaoRepublican · California
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia
Joe WilsonRepublican · South Carolina
Ann WagnerRepublican · Missouri
George WhitesidesDemocrat · California