A Scourge Against Humanity: Addressing Human Trafficking at Mass Gatherings
Committee on Homeland Security
2025-12-17
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Source: Congress.gov
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
Okay, are you ready? The Committee on Homeland Security Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States will come to order. Without objection, the chair may declare the committee in recess at any point. Without objection, the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Luttrell, will be sitting on this panel. A discussion of the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. McKenzie, the gentleman from California, Mr. Correa, the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Green, are permitted to sit on the dais and ask the witnesses questions. Purpose of today's hearing is to assess a threat of and efforts to combat human trafficking ahead of major events that will be held in the United States, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will begin in June.
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
This is the third hearing of the Bipartisan Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States. Task Force provides us a unique opportunity to evaluate the range of threats facing upcoming mass gathering events. Most importantly, as I stated, FIFA World Cup, America's 250th anniversary.
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
It's one that's a very tragic story that we've seen up front, close and personal, and especially with Ms. Courtney Litvak, who I have had the honor to be associated with from her family to work, getting her appointed to the White House Advisory Council on Human Trafficking. a person who experienced grave danger and abuse at the hands of these traffickers.
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
It occurs every day in the United States and across the globe. This crime remains hidden to a large extent. The experiences of survivors are not told as often as they should. Their courage in sharing their stories, like Ms. Litvak, often have helped law enforcement learn how to recognize signs of exploitation, internet intercepted criminal networks, and rescue victims. I've been long committed to this cause. We call it human slavery. Back in 2017, I was proud to co-sponsor, or I'm sorry, to sponsor a bill which became law, and that was the congressional authorization of DHS's Blue Campaign. This legislation has enabled the Department of Homeland Security
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
We'll have to reauthorize that to ensure survivors have a platform on that council to advise the president's interagency task force on policies to combat trafficking. As I mentioned, we're delighted to have Courtney Litvak here and all of you between the Sheriff and the Hotel and Motel Association. We rely on law enforcement to enforce justice.
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