AFA of PA ACTION ALERT
March 12, 2018
Issue
Ask Senators McConnell and Cornyn to Run the Bill This Week!
Details
As you may recall on February 27th HR 1865, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act, overwhelming passed in the US House by a vote of 388 to 25. All PA Congressmen voted for the bill.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has indicated the bill will be brought forward for a vote in the Senate this week. However, the tech industry is lobbying hard for a postponement on the vote. The fear is that if the vote is postponed, it will get “lost” among immigration bills, budget bills, etc. and never be voted on.
Remember this bill, HR 1865, would amend Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act which, as currently written, has been interpreted by the courts to protect websites like backpage.com which allow online classified advertising connecting sex traffickers with the men seeking to buy people for sexual exploitation. There are 67 co-sponsors of a similar, but weaker version in the Senate. Co-sponsors of this weaker bill include Senator Bob Casey, Jr. and Senator Pat Toomey.
Action Steps
1.) Senators McConnell and Cornyn have the authority to bring HR 1865 forward for a vote this week. Ask them to do just that:
Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell at 202-224-2541 or use the webform here
Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn at 202-224-2934 or use the contact form here
2.) Ask Senators Bob Casey, Jr. and Pat Toomey to vote ‘yea’ on HR 1865.
