Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick and Congressman Bill Keating have introduced the End Banking for Human Traffickers Act of 2025. This bipartisan bill aims to cut off human traffickers’ access to the global financial system and enhance law enforcement’s ability to track and disrupt activities related to human exploitation.
The legislation targets the financial networks that traffickers depend on, aiming to dismantle these systems and deliver justice for victims. It includes directives for federal banking regulators to collaborate with law enforcement and financial institutions, enhancing coordination between private sectors, government agencies, and experts in financial crimes. Additionally, it mandates improvements in training for detecting trafficking-linked transactions and requires an evaluation of anti-money laundering frameworks by the Interagency Task Force.
Fitzpatrick emphasized the urgency of addressing human trafficking within communities: “Human trafficking isn’t a distant issue—it’s happening in our communities, often in plain sight. And too often, traffickers are able to move their profits through legitimate financial systems unchecked. That has to end.”
Keating highlighted the role of banks in combating trafficking: “Banks and financial institutions must implement effective screening mechanisms to combat human trafficking around the world.”
The bill is a step towards using the financial system as a tool in fighting against human trafficking.
