LIVE NOW: CPAC Hosts Summit to Combat Human Trafficking

The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) hosts the Summit to Combat Human Trafficking at 9 a.m. ET on July 22 in Washington.

Schedule:

9:00–9:15 a.m. | Welcome and Opening Prayer and Remarks Speakers:

● Mercedes Viana Schlapp, CPAC senior fellow ● Matt Schlapp, CPAC chairman ● Rosi Orozco, Kaleido Charities

Focus: Set the national urgency of the human trafficking crisis as a border security and public safety failure under current policies; highlight CPAC’s leadership in exposing demand-driven exploitation and protecting American families.

9:15–9:30 a.m | Congressional Speech

Speaker: ● Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.)

Focus: Discuss the importance of passing the Trafficking Survivors Relief Act and ensuring survivors are receiving the benefits of the law as it is implemented.

9:30–10:00 a.m. | Public Safety as a Priority in Anti-Trafficking

Moderator: Matt Schlapp, CPAC chairman

Speakers: ● Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr ● Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway ● Ali Serrano, national coordinator for anti-trafficking and child exploitation, Department of Justice

Focus: Highlight state AG leadership in prosecutions, victim services, and disruption of cartel-linked trafficking operations; underscore how sanctuary policies enable predators and endanger communities.

10:00–10:15 a.m. | Congressional speech speaker: ● Rep. John James (R-Mich.)

Focus: Reviewing his leadership in fighting human trafficking as both a public servant and a member of our armed forces.

10:15–10:30 a.m. | Congressional speech speaker: ● Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah)

Focus: Discussing his key legislation focused on combating human trafficking and ensuring law enforcement has the resources it needs to fight organized crime.

10:30–11:00 a.m. | Law Enforcement and HHS Partner on Protecting Children Moderator: Frank Russo, CPAC senior adviser speakers:

● Kevin Malone, senior adviser, HHS ● Alan Wilkett, senior adviser, HHS ● George Wilson, North Carolina Law Enforcement professional ● Jacquelyn Aluotto, founder and president, No Trafficking Zones

Focus: Examine federal-state coordination failures and successes in identifying, rescuing, and supporting trafficked minors; push for stronger interagency accountability and America First prioritization of child safety over open-border policies.

11:00–11:15 a.m. | Congressional speech speaker: ● Chairwoman Lisa McClain

Focus: Reviewing the steps taken by Republican leadership to lead on the policies needed to hold traffickers accountable.

11:15–11:30 a.m. | Congressional speech speaker: ● Rep. Riley Moore (R-W.Va.)

Focus: Discuss the legislation introduced to ensure tech-facilitated abuse does not continue unabated throughout communities.

11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Trafficking Survivors Relief Act

Moderator: Frank Russo, CPAC senior adviser

Speakers: ● Rep. Russell Fry (R-S.C.) ● Hollie Nadel, 3 Strands Global, survivor leader ● Tanya Gould, senior adviser on demand reduction, hunt alternatives

Focus: Share survivor testimonies and frontline relief efforts; demonstrate how faith-based and community organizations deliver compassionate, effective aid where government systems fall short.

12:00–12:30 p.m. | Athletes Leading the Fight to End Modern Day Slavery

Moderator: Mercedes Viana Schlapp, CPAC senior fellow

Speakers: ● Riley Gaines, former NCAA champion, political commentator ● Jack Brewer, CEO, Brewer Group, former NFL player ● Taylor Talley, founder, Freedom Fighters

Focus: Leverage high-profile voices in sports and culture to raise awareness, promote prevention education, and mobilize public support for stronger enforcement against exploitation in entertainment and athletics.

12:30–1:00 p.m. | Fireside Chat: World Cup in Review

Moderator: Frank Russo, CPAC senior adviser

Speaker: ● Andrew Giuliani, executive director, FIFA World Cup 2026 Task Force

Focus: Assess security risks and trafficking vulnerabilities around major international events like the 2026 World Cup; recommend proactive measures to prevent exploitation tied to global gatherings.

1:00–1:30 p.m. | Faith and Fighting for Freedom

Moderator: Kimberly Bellissimo, founder and CEO, Forthright Strategy, Inc., CPAC board member

Speakers: ● Bazzel Baz, founder, Association for the Recovery of Children ● Katie Gorka, chairwoman, Fairfax GOP ● Bruce Duty, founder and president, Cross Country 3

Focus: Showcase the Church and faith communities as the moral backbone resisting cartel and trafficker control; explore spiritual resilience, restoration programs, and the limits of secular government responses.

1:30–1:45 p.m. | Congressional speech speakers: ● Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.)

Focus: Outline bipartisan (but America First–driven) bills targeting online facilitation, foreign trafficking pipelines, and victim restitution.

1:45–2:00 p.m. | Closing remarks speaker: ● Frank Russo, CPAC senior adviser

Focus: Issue a unified call to action positioning CPAC as the leading voice for sovereignty, border security, and the protection of the vulnerable; commit to ongoing hemispheric and domestic pressure against narco-trafficking networks.