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Trump's Justice Department has failed to award 75% of anti-trafficking grants, senator finds
The delay has forced some providers to cut legal services and left 10,000 survivors with disrupted support, advocates said.
- On Monday, Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal demanded the Justice Department release more than $130 million in anti-trafficking grants, citing the department's failure to award roughly 75% of congressionally appropriated funds over the last two fiscal years.
- Historically, the OVC awards roughly $90 million in anti-trafficking grants in three-year cycles beginning October 1, but the current funding lapse has disrupted aid to 10,000 survivors served by grantees each quarter.
- Martina Vandenberg, president of the Human Trafficking Legal Center, said providers are "hanging on by their fingernails hoping for the funds to be released" as organizations warn vulnerable people risk being trafficked again.
- The administration awarded roughly $30 million in delayed funds last week; Blumenthal plans to press nominee Arthur Kleinschmidt for a commitment to release remaining funds during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday.
- While Attorney General Todd Blanche has called combating trafficking a "Department priority," investigations have declined under Trump due to staffing and funding issues; the Justice Department and White House did not respond to comment requests.
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Trump's Justice Department has failed to award 75% of anti-trafficking grants, senator finds
The US Justice Department has failed to award roughly 75% of congressionally appropriated grants to combat human trafficking in the last two fiscal years, according to a letter from Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal shared exclusively with Reuters.
·London, United Kingdom
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100% Center
C 100%
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