English: WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Ann Wagner (MO-02) and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy released the following statements after President Donald Trump signed H.R. 1865, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA), into law. Congresswoman Wagner introduced FOSTA in Spring of 2017 and it was passed by Congress on March 21st, 2018.

“For years, I have been working with law enforcement, advocates, and my colleagues to end modern day sex slavery. Today, we are crossing the finish line and bringing solace to survivors, and new tools to law enforcement to crack down on this scourge against humanity,” said Congresswoman Ann Wagner (MO-02). “I would like to thank Ivanka Trump for her continued advocacy on this issue and President Trump for signing FOSTA into law. With today’s bill signing we are finally decimating the online sex trafficking industry. FOSTA gives federal, state, and local prosecutors the tools they need to take down the websites selling our children with impunity. The law also provides a criminal deterrent that will ensure fewer people ever enter the sex trade, and it has already been effective in shutting down dozens of trafficking marketplaces. Most importantly, survivors across the United States are no longer alone, and justice is no longer out of reach.”

“Thanks to the leadership of Representative Ann Wagner, our nation has made history on behalf human trafficking victims,” said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy. “Ann worked across party lines and on both sides of the Capitol to deliver a bill that supports victims and states so they can hold websites accountable that knowingly facilitate human trafficking. With President Trump’s signature, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act will bring us closer to ending this horrific crime.”