McBride Passes Bipartisan Amendment Requiring State Department Report on Anti-Trafficking Office Cuts and Delayed TIP Report

WASHINGTON, DC — Tonight, during the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s State Department Reauthorization markup, Congresswoman Sarah McBride (DE-AL) passed a bipartisan amendment directing the State Department to report to Congress on the impact of recent reductions-in-force and reorganization on the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP), including how those actions have affected the timeliness and accuracy of the annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. The amendment requires a detailed analysis and ongoing consultation with Congress within 180 days of enactment. 

“Earlier this year, 70 percent of the TIP office was laid off. Of course, there wasn’t a 70 percent reduction in human trafficking,” said McBride in a statement. “Hollowing out the office that combats human trafficking isn’t rooting out waste and abuse—it’s kneecapping our ability to stamp out horrific crimes around the world. With the TIP Report now nearly three months late, Congress must get the full picture of how these reckless cuts have undermined our anti-trafficking efforts and what steps the Department is taking to fix it.”

McBride thanked her colleagues for joining her in passing this amendment in a bipartisan vote, “I’m grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting this amendment. Standing against human trafficking should always be a bipartisan issue.”

Rep. McBride’s remarks from the committee markup are available for use here and the amendment text is available here.

What the amendment does:

• Requires the State Department to submit a report to Congress within 180 days on the impact of a ~70% staffing decrease in the TIP office on the timeliness and accuracy of the TIP Report.
• Directs the Department to explain effects on staffing, resources, and operational capacity; assess any delays in production/vetting/publication; and outline steps to mitigate harm and return to timely releases.
• Mandates regular consultation with Congress on findings and implementation. 

Why this oversight is needed now:

Independent reporting has documented a broad federal pullback from anti-trafficking efforts, including major personnel cuts at the State Department’s TIP office and a months-late TIP Report, which experts warn weakens U.S. tools to pressure traffickers and protect survivors. Recent coverage has also detailed the diversion of federal law-enforcement resources away from trafficking investigations. Deputy Secretary of State Michael Rigas testified before HFAC this summer, where he faced questions from McBride over concerns on the reorganization and staffing decisions at State. He testified that layoffs would not disrupt operations—a claim undermined by the ongoing, illegal delay of the TIP Report.

McBride continued: “Congress has a constitutional responsibility to conduct oversight. If the State Department’s anti-trafficking capacity has been gutted and critical reporting is delayed, we need answers and a plan to restore this mission. I’m proud my colleagues are standing with me to demand accountability.”

The amendment was offered during today’s markup of H.R. 5300 (Department of State Policy Provisions Act) and passed by voice vote.

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