Corker calls for U.S.-led effort to end slavery
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following the release of the State Department’s 2016 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), reiterated his call for a U.S.-led global effort to end human trafficking and modern slavery. Corker is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and author of the End Modern Slavery Initiative Act.
Corker said the committee will closely study the report to determine the integrity of the findings.
“More than 27 million people are enslaved worldwide, and I strongly believe a U.S.-led, global effort is necessary to end this evil,” Corker said. “In order for the TIP report to be an effective tool for holding governments accountable, all judgments must be based on measurable progress on anti-trafficking efforts. Following what were clear flaws in last year’s TIP process, the committee will carefully examine the 2016 report and conduct public hearings to determine the integrity of the findings.”
The committee will hold a hearing on this year’s report in July.
Transgender military service gains praise
Wade Henderson, President and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement after the Pentagon announced that it will lift its ban on transgender military service.
He said, “Today’s victory is a tremendous one for a nation that once denied women, African Americans, and gay and lesbian individuals the opportunity to serve. An integrated military, now inclusive of all LGBT service members, is not only a sound military approach but a moral imperative for our nation. This was true in 1948, when this country first allowed women and African-Americans to serve in the military; in 2011, when the ban was lifted on gay and lesbian service members; and remains true today.
“Attracting and retaining all talented service members — regardless of their gender identity — strengthens our military readiness. Updating military policy to ensure these patriotic Americans do not face discrimination allows them to serve openly and with integrity, and demonstrates that transgender people — like all Americans — should be judged for their qualifications.”
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition of more than 200 national organizations working to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. For more information, see civilrights.org.
Corker: Funding Puerto Rico is not a bailout
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after voting for legislation to impose a financial oversight board on Puerto Rico while giving the U.S. territory the opportunity to restructure its debt.
The bill is not a bailout and ensures that creditors, not taxpayers, bear the cost of bad investments.
“By applying this conservative approach to Puerto Rico’s fiscal crisis now, we are protecting American taxpayers,” said Corker. “It is unfortunate the U.S. territory has made imprudent decisions, but I am pleased this legislation will put it on a path to financial stability and economic growth.”
Proposed laws would protect more officers
NASHVILLE — A June 27 press conference announced three bills to protect members of Tennessee’s law enforcement. The effort, called “Blue Lives Matter,” would increase penalties for assaulting, killing and attempting to kill law enforcement officers.
- One bill will elevate an assault of a law enforcement officer from a Class A or B misdemeanor to a Class E felony with an increase in the fine of up to $5,000 for an assault and up to $15,000 for an aggravated assault.
- Another bill adds the designation of “hate crime” to the killing or attempted killing of a person because he/she was an officer or perceived as one. The crime will be classified as a Class A felony with the presumptive sentence awarded at the top of the range permitted.
- The third bill protects the home address of a member of law enforcement. A misdemeanor crime will carry a fine of $500 for accidental publication and $2,000 if intentional without the permission of the law enforcement officer.
