Steil introduces bill aimed at sex trafficking

Freshman congressman Bryan Steil, R-Wis., presented a powerful approach to stopping human trafficking with the unveiling of his first bill on Tuesday.

In front of area law enforcement and elected officials, Steil introduced HR 2149 "Exposing the Financing of Human Trafficking Act" at the Racine County Sheriff's Substation.

The bill, co-sponsored by Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., requires existing Trafficking In-Persons (TIP) reports to "evaluate foreign countries' efforts to investigate, prevent and prosecute financial criminal activities associated with the facilitation of human trafficking."

More than $150 billion in illegal profit is made from forced labor each year, according to the International Labor Organization.

"When we give foreign aid from the federal government to countries globally, we need to know they're our partner in stopping illicit financing and human trafficking," said Steil, who represents the state's 1st Congressional District. "That's what this bill does. It holds countries accountable."

As a member of the House Committee of Financial Services, Steil works with local law enforcement in finding effective ways to slow down what has become a major concern in southeastern Wisconsin.

Kenosha is located on the I-94 pipeline between two cities primed for pimping. Chicago frequently ranks as one of the top five cities in the nation for sex trafficking, while Milwaukee has been referred to as the "Harvard of pimp schools."

‘Runs rampant'

"I don't want to say I've had my head in the sand for years, but for a long time I never thought this was a major issue in southeastern Wisconsin and Kenosha," Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth said.

"Over the last few years, I've learned how it's riddled throughout Kenosha County. We know it runs rampart along the interstate.

To hear the federal government and Congressman Steil is working at this to eliminate and curb this and deal with this on a local and national level is wonderful for me and law enforcement in southeastern Wisconsin."

Neal Lofy, a nationally recognized investigator with the Racine Police Department, said local residents can order a girl to their doorstep "as easy as you can get Uber Eats or Domino's delivered."

While buying and selling drugs involves a consumable product, humans can be continually exploited, with victims forced to have sex 15 to 40 times a day.

Every year, more than 300,000 American children are trafficked.

Locally, there is a mix of international and domestic victims. There were more than 300 human trafficking victims — ranging in ages 13 to 62 — identified in the last four years in Racine and Kenosha counties, according to Lofy.

"People can't say it doesn't happen anymore," Lofy said. "I think anytime you can penalize countries who are profiting from crime like this, I think it's good for us. I would love to see that money come back to the United States and help the victims through education, awareness and restitution."

Bipartisan support

The bill must move through the Committee of Financial Services and ultimately receive a vote in the House of Representatives. It is co-sponsored by seven Democrats and seven Republicans.

"As I hear my colleagues, day-in and day-out, we're going to have some struggles in Washington over the course of this two years with a divided government," Steil said. "But there are also areas we can work together. This bill is perfect example of that."

The rollout was also attended by Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling, Racine Police Deputy Chief Todd Schulz, Racine County Executive Jonathan Delegrave, Sturtevant Police Chief Sean Marschke and Salem Lakes Administrator Mike Murdock.