Sens. Klobuchar, Blackburn team up on legislation to combat human trafficking

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KTTC) – DFL Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and Republican Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn are teaming up across the aisle on multiple pieces of legislation to combat human trafficking.

They hosted a virtual press conference Thursday, sharing their efforts to advance the National Human Trafficking Database Act, the Stopping the Abuse, Victimization, and Exploitation of Girls (SAVE Girls) Act, and the Combating Trafficking in Transportation Act.

“[We’re] putting some tools in place where our local and state law enforcement can fight back,” Sen. Blackburn said.

The transportation bill aims to provide resources to spread the word about spotting trafficking and how to get help along highways.

“These kinds of information campaigns, I think people have seen them in airports and the like, but we know not everyone’s trafficked through airports,” Sen. Klobuchar said.

Some members of law enforcement joined the senators on the call, voicing support for the bills.

“What we’ve learned through this process is that public awareness to trafficking is one of the keys to being able to solve trafficking,” Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said.

The legislation dealing with the database would incentivize state law enforcement agencies to report data and streamline collaboration.

The SAVE Girls Act would authorize $50 million in additional funding for a grant program to prevent the trafficking of young women and girls.

Find stories like this and more, in our apps.

Copyright 2025 KTTC. All rights reserved.