U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a hearing titled “Force Multipliers: How Transportation and Supply Chain Stakeholders are Combatting Human Trafficking” at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 12, 2017. The hearing will explore the role of transportation providers and supply chains in fighting the growth of sex trafficking in the United States and slave labor in the global economy. Witnesses have been asked to testify about challenges and successful strategies in combating human trafficking, which has grown into an estimated $150 billion-dollar industry with cases in Washington, D.C. and across the country.

“Slave labor operations and sex trafficking are lurking in the shadows of global commerce and our domestic transportation networks,” said Thune. “This hearing will put a spotlight on the problem and underscore responsible steps reputable businesses can take to help put an end to it.”
 
Witnesses:
 
– Ms. Esther Goetsch, Coalition Building Specialist, Truckers Against Trafficking
– Mr. Samir Goswami, Technical Consultant, Technology Solutions to Trafficking in Global Supply Chains, Issara Institute
– Mr. Tomas Lares, Executive Director of Florida Abolitionist and Member, Greater Orlando Human Trafficking Task Force
– Ms. Keeli Sorensen, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy, Polaris

* Witness list subject to change
 
Hearing Details:
 
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
10:00 a.m.
Full committee
 
This hearing will take place in Russell Senate Office Building, Room 253. Witness testimony, opening statements, and a live video of the hearing will be available on www.commerce.senate.gov.