This powerful tool to end modern-day slavery isn’t talked about enough

As Americans we elect members of Congress to represent us in Washington, D.C. Through the election process, we empower these legislators to write and enact laws on our behalf. Sadly, it's a common belief that once our elected officials get to Washington, D.C., we no longer have a role to play in congressional decisions.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

The truth is that the entire role of Congress is to represent you – meaning you have a right to speak into the laws they write and enact. And if advocates aren’t speaking up for anti-trafficking laws and policies, those elected officials will turn their attention to other competing priorities.

What does Congress have to do with ending slavery?

For years, advocates like you have signed petitions, sent letters, made calls and visited representatives in person to tell them about the realities of slavery and ask them to use their power to end it. And it made a difference.

Awareness about the realities of modern slavery grew in Congress, and the U.S. government passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act in 2000. This comprehensive law equipped the U.S. government with resources to address modern slavery at home and abroad. It also established the U.S. government’s key anti-trafficking office – the State Department’s Office – to monitor and combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office).

In its first year, the TIP Office managed about $9 million in funding. In fiscal year 2024, Congress dedicated $76 million for foreign assistance programming through the TIP Office and $23.1 million for the office’s staffing and administration.

Among its key leadership duties, the TIP Office awards critical grants for trafficking prevention programs, protection for survivors, training for law enforcement and legal support. The TIP Office also produces the annual Trafficking in Persons Report, a powerful diplomatic tool that sheds light on whether countries are meeting the minimum standards established in the TVPA.

Together, the report and grants serve as the U.S. government’s primary mechanism to combat international trafficking and slavery, resulting in significant reforms around the world.

Advocacy has also led to other congressional initiatives against slavery like the Child Protection Compact Act in 2011, the Program to End Modern Slavery (PEMS), and funding for important public programs like the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery (GFEMS).

Even though all this incredible progress has been made, we still need people like you to regularly advocate for ending slavery.

Why?

The annual federal budget process – also known as appropriations.

Federal funding can help save lives.

Each year, Congress is responsible for determining how the federal government spends its budget. The House and Senate both have appropriations committees, and those committees have subcommittees responsible for allocating funds to different areas of spending. They take time to review spending requests and needs before drafting a budget bill for the full Senate or House of Representatives to vote on. Once both chambers agree on a final budget, it is sent to the president for signature.

This budget process determines whether those critical anti-slavery programs actually get funded. Even though foreign aid spending makes up less than 1% of our national budget, it’s not uncommon for money to be taken from the foreign aid budget to help pay for other things or reduce overall spending.

Here’s where you come in.

As an American who cares about ending trafficking and violence around the world, it’s time to reach out to your members of Congress and urge them to protect funds for TIP Office staffing and anti-trafficking programs.

With just a couple of clicks, you can share a pre-written email with your elected officials, letting them know this issue is important to you.