Senators Introduce STOP Human Trafficking Act to Combat Modern Slavery

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) joined Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) on November 6, 2025, to introduce the Supporting Transportation Operations that Prevent (STOP) Human Trafficking Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to enhance the detection and prevention of human trafficking in transportation sectors across the United States.

The STOP Human Trafficking Act seeks to implement recommendations from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Advisory Committee. These recommendations focus on promoting research, public awareness campaigns, educational efforts, staff training, and support services for survivors. Senator Cornyn emphasized the urgent need for such measures, stating, “Human trafficking is modern-day slavery that exploits women, children, and innocent individuals for profit in the most degrading and dehumanizing way possible.”

In his remarks, Cornyn expressed his commitment to utilizing expert guidance from the transportation sector to identify and stop human trafficking crimes. This legislation is a response to the thousands of human trafficking cases reported annually in the U.S., recognizing the often-hidden nature of these crimes and the significant number of victims.

Texas is frequently ranked among the states with the highest number of reported sex trafficking cases. According to the Human Trafficking Hotline in 2024, many victims involved in trafficking cases identified in Texas underscore the severity of the issue.

The transportation sector is pivotal, serving as both a facilitator and a barrier against human trafficking. The USDOT has already been proactive in addressing the issue through an advisory committee and collaboration with federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and the U.S. Department of State. The STOP Human Trafficking Act would bolster these efforts by enhancing support services and training for individuals in transportation roles.

Through increased awareness campaigns and strengthened partnerships, the legislation aims to significantly improve detection and prevention capabilities against human trafficking activities in the transportation industry.