If we want our government to act on human trafficking issues—and rescue the 27 million slaves in today’s world—we need champions in Congress to fight for crucial resources and keep pace with this evolving crime. 

The Congressional Scorecard shows how your lawmakers have supported efforts to help men, women and children enslaved both at home and abroad. 

How does the Scorecard work?

We calculated each Member of Congress’ score by looking at their record over the last four years and using a point system to rank them in three tiers: Champion, Leader or Supporter. Members without a ranking have not yet taken action on trafficking and slavery issues.

We score every Member of Congress on opportunities they all share, such as voting on a specific bill related to human trafficking. A Member can gain additional points for taking individual initiative—like writing a Dear Colleague letter, sending a relevant press release or making an important speech—that advances the anti-slavery movement.

Have questions about how we assign points? Email us.

What legislation does the Scorecard evaluate?

Members of Congress can gain points for sponsoring anti-trafficking bills, or they can lose points for sponsoring legislation counter-productive to the fight.

To gauge each Member’s commitment to protecting the oppressed around the world, we looked at a wide range of legislation—even bills not directly tied to anti-trafficking efforts.

For example, the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act was designed to prevent the marriage of children under the legal age of the country (or 18 in countries with no law). Child marriage is not an issue IJM addresses, but Members who supported this bill are clearly concerned about children and would likely support other related bills.

Here’s some of the legislation we evaluated:

House of Representatives

• Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act HR 3887 (110^th Congress)
• Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (Became P.L.) HR 7311 (110^th Congress)
• To increase global stability and security for the United States and the international community by reducing the number of individuals who are de jure or de facto stateless and at risk of being trafficked. HR 72 (111^thCongress)
• International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act of 2009 HR 2103 (111^th Congress)
• Child Protection Compact Act HR 2737 (111^th Congress)
• International Violence Against Women Act HR 4594 (111^th Congress)
• International Megan’s Law of 2010 HR 5138 (111^th Congress)
• Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act HR 5575 (111^th Congress):
• Child Trafficking Victims Protection Act HR 2235 (112^th Congress)
• Strengthening the Child Welfare Response to Human Trafficking Act HR 2730 (112^th Congress)
• Business Transparency on Trafficking and Slavery Act HR 2759 (112^th Congress)
• Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act HR 2830 (112^th Congress)
• Human Trafficking Reporting Act HR 2982 (112^th Congress)
• End Trafficking in Government Contracting Act HR 4259 (112^th Congress)

Senate

• Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act S.3061 (110^th Congress)
• International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act S.987 (111^th Congress)
• Customs Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Reauthorization Act S.1631 (111^th Congress)
• Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act S.2925 (111^th Congress)
• International Violence Against Women Act S.2982 (111^th Congress)
• Child Protection Compact Act S.3184(111^th Congress)
• Child Protection Compact Act S.185 (112^th Congress)
• Trafficking Victims Enhanced Protection Act S.1259 (112^th Congress)
• Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act S.1301 (112^th Congress)
• Comprehensive Contingency Contracting Reform Act S.2139 (112^th Congress)
• End Trafficking in Government Contracting Act S.2234 (112^th Congress)