Mike Johnson at CPAC International Summit Against Human Trafficking: One Big Beautiful Bill Secures Border, Combats Human Trafficking

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) addressed attendees at CPAC’s 3rd Annual International Summit Against Human Trafficking at the U.S. Capitol on Monday. “It’s a busy day here, a lot going on,” Johnson began, “but there is arguably nothing more important than what you are doing here today.” 

Johnson ran straight from the House floor to deliver his passionate, spontaneous remarks, adamantly proclaiming his commitment to ending what he and other conservative leaders have unerringly labeled modern-day slavery. His unanticipated engagement in the summit reflected the severity of the human trafficking crisis, emphasizing the urgency with which congressional leadership now views and plans to address the serious issue. 

Lightheartedly referencing the previous evening’s celebration of President Trump’s first six months in office, Johnson highlighted the administration’s historic policy wins, many of which directly challenged and eliminated the previous administration’s border and immigration failures that drastically fueled human and, specifically, child sex trafficking. “I give my full endorsement for this effort,” he stated, “and I pledge my full support to your movement.” 

Johnson highlighted the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill for combating human trafficking by further securing the border, which was left open by the previous Biden Administration. Among the many accomplishments of the Bill, Johnson praised its efforts to protect victims by stopping cartels and human traffickers at the border. “What we did in the Big Beautiful Bill is not just reduce taxes, not just cut spending, not just restore American energy dominance, restore us to peace through strength, and common sense and safety net programs but arguabley one of the most important things we’ve done in our life times is ensure that the border secure once again.”, said Johnson. 

Johnson said that he fully endorses the work of CPAC’s Center for Combating Human Trafficking and that lawmakers need to continue the fight to end modern-day slavery. “We can do right for victims. Now there is a lot of work to do because we have to stop this scourge, and then we have to serve those who have been victims of it.”

Speaker Johnson’s passionate remarks generated even more excitement for an already powerful lineup of advocates and leaders devoted to wholeheartedly exposing the ongoing atrocities of human trafficking. His energetic presence reinforced a growing bipartisan consensus to put victims first, secure the border, and hold traffickers and their enabling systems fully accountable.