Rep. Nikema Williams addresses proposed amendment to eliminate 'slavery loophole'
An amendment was introduced in Congress last week that would eliminate the so-called "slavery loophole" in the U.S. Constitution. An “Abolition Amendment” was introduced in Congress last week that would eliminate the so-called slavery loophole in the U.S. Constitution. Ratified in 1865, the 13th Amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States, “except as punishment for crime.” That exception is what three Democratic members of Congress – Rep. Nikema Williams of Georgia, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, and Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon – are seeking to eliminate with their new amendment. In a statement to ABC News, Booker said, the exception “has allowed our government to exploit individuals who are incarcerated and to profit from their forced labor.” The United States incarcerates more of its population than any other country, including a disproportionate number of Black Americans. Rep. Nikema Williams spoke to ABC News’ Kanya Whitworth about the amen...