20 Republicans, including Rep. Matt Gaetz, vote against anti-human trafficking bill
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Twenty Republicans on Wednesday voted against legislation that would reauthorize programs to combat human trafficking.
The bill, called the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022, passed the House by a tally of 401-20. It first became law in 2000 and saw almost no opposition from either party at the time.
Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz, who is reportedly himself under federal investigation for sex trafficking allegations involving a minor, was among the GOP members who voted "no" on the bill.
Gaetz was accused of having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl and paying for her travel, The New York Times first reported in March 2021. The Florida congressman has denied any wrongdoing and suggested to the Times that the investigation is part of a scheme to extort him and his family.
What we know: Rep. Matt Gaetz is under federal investigation, accused of having sex with a minor
In May 2021, the congressman's former friend — disgraced former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg — pleaded guilty in federal court to six of the 33 counts on which he'd been indicted, including sex trafficking.
Gaetz has not been charged with anything. According to a statement released by his office, Gaetz voted against the bill due to its definition of "human trafficking" and its cost.
"The government’s failure to accurately and specifically define human trafficking allows this legislation to act as a backdoor loophole for illegal immigration and amnesty," Joel Valdez, a spokesman for Gaetz, told USA TODAY. "The bill also costs over half a billion dollars to implement and gives more taxpayer money to overfunded, inefficient grant programs.”
The other Republicans to join Gaetz in voting against the anti-trafficking bill were:
Rep. Brian Babin of Texas
Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona
Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado
Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama
Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado
Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia
Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas
Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia
Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland
Rep. Jody Hice of Georgia
Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky
Rep. Tom McClintock of California
Rep. Mary Miller of Illinois
Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas
Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina
Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania
Rep. Chip Roy of Texas
Rep. Vann Taylor of Texas
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Matt Gaetz among 20 Republicans to vote no on anti-trafficking bill