House bill targets money laundering by human traffickers
The government would take modest steps toward hindering money laundering by human traffickers under legislation approved Tuesday by the House.
The bipartisan bill would require an existing presidential task force to recommend how Congress can better thwart money laundering by traffickers. Another federal council would suggest improvements in how federal agencies train investigators to pursue such cases.
The State Department would also have to factor money laundering into the agency's annual rating of how well countries combat human trafficking.
Estimates of human trafficking victims vary, but recent reports put the number at tens of millions of people globally. It generally includes coerced sexual exploitation, prostitution, military service, labor and even organ donation.
The House approved the bill by a 408-2 vote. It now goes to the Senate.
