WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), along with Congressman Bill Keating (MA-9) introduced the End Banking for Human Traffickers Act of 2025—bipartisan legislation to sever human traffickers’ access to the global financial system and strengthen the ability of law enforcement and financial institutions to identify, track, and disrupt illicit activity tied to human exploitation.

Human trafficking remains one of the most pressing human rights crises of our time—generating billions in illegal profits each year through the abuse and commodification of innocent lives. By targeting the financial infrastructure that traffickers rely on to operate in the shadows, this legislation represents a strategic and moral imperative to dismantle these networks and deliver justice for victims.

Key provisions of the bill:

• Direct federal banking regulators to work with law enforcement and financial institutions to target the financial flows of human trafficking operations.
• Expands coordination between the private sector, government agencies, and financial crimes experts.
• Require the Financial Institutions Examination Council to improve training and examinations aimed at detecting trafficking-linked transactions.
• Require the Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons to evaluate and recommend ways to strengthen anti-money laundering frameworks across the public and private sectors.

“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,” said Fitzpatrick. “This bipartisan legislation strengthens collaborative efforts to keep these criminals from using the global financial apparatus to fuel their heinous activities. I’m working with Congressman Keating to move this bill forward, halt traffickers’ access to financial institutions, and stop their ability to exploit the vulnerable. This is about putting our financial system to work in the fight for justice.”

“Banks and financial institutions must implement effective screening mechanisms to combat human trafficking around the world,” said Keating. “The End Banking for Human Traffickers Act would require the PITF to submit recommendations to strengthen and better equip financial institutions with the tools they need to combat this horrible practice. I thank Congressman Fitzpatrick for his leadership on this important issue.”

Read the text of the bill here.