U.S. Senator James Lankford has joined a bi-partisan group of lawmakers trying to address a loophole which allows for some federal government contractors to look the other way concerning human trafficking. The group has introduced the Ensuring Accountability and Dignity in Government Contracting Act of 2025 to close the loopholes that allow human trafficking to persist.
“It is unthinkable that taxpayer dollars would fund human and labor trafficking,” said Lankford. “Lax standards and procedures have enabled traffickers to continue their abuse of vulnerable people. This bill puts proactive measures in place to make sure that no taxpayer funds are spent on federal contracts that don’t safeguard against trafficking.”
The Ensuring Accountability and Dignity in Government Contracting Act of 2025 would:
Require contractors to provide anti-trafficking compliance plans for covered contracts to contracting officers.
Provide federal contracting officials with relevant information they can use when developing plans to oversee contractors’ trafficking prevention efforts, by expanding and strengthening the current contractor certification requirements.
Require the Inspector General to investigate all credible information about potential human trafficking violations, including when recipients report it and indicate they have taken actions to address it.
Direct OMB to assess and report on the feasibility of enhancing government anti-trafficking efforts by amending relevant laws for contractor compliance assessments, streamlining reporting processes, and mandating training for contracting personnel.
Upon receipt of an Inspector General report of alleged noncompliance, suspend grant payments until the contractor has taken appropriate remedial action.
Lankford is working with U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Maggie Hassan, as well as, Congressman David Valadao on the legislation.
