WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed Senate Democrats’ attempt to politicize a bipartisan bill to help eradicate human trafficking and provide support to its victims.

Click here to watch Thune’s full statement.

Excerpts below:

“You got a unanimous vote coming out of the committee – all Democrats voting for it – and then a unanimous vote to proceed to the bill on the floor of the United States Senate – all Democrats voting for it. If ever there was an issue that should be above and beyond politics, this is it.”

“The ironic thing about what’s evidently now – in the eyes of the Democrats, at least – derailed something that has such unanimous support here in the United States Senate is language that they all voted for as recently as December of 2014. Fifty-five Democrats voted in support of the Hyde language on the omnibus spending bill that was passed late last year. It’s a normal practice around here, and has been for 40 years, as Senator Cornyn pointed out.”