California Republican Assemblywoman Shannon Grove made headlines earlier this year when she put forward a bill that would impose tough new penalties for trafficking children.

Yet in a move that critics have slammed as evil, a prominent Democrat is keeping it from moving forward. 

According to Breitbart, Grove's legislation categorizes trafficking a minor as a "serious felony," making the crime ineligible for plea bargaining in most circumstances as well as including it under the state's "Three Strikes."

Grove is "profoundly disappointed"

However, the bill is not supported by Democratic Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, who sits on the Public Safety Committee.

Jones-Sawyer was successful this week in blocking Grove's legislation, a fact which she lamented in a tweet on Tuesday.

"After passing the Senate with a unanimous, bipartisan vote, I had hoped Democrats on the Assembly Public Safety Committee, led by Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, would agree to make sex trafficking of a minor a serious felony," the lawmaker wrote.

SB 14 Update—After passing the Senate with a unanimous, bipartisan vote, I had hoped Democrats on the Assembly Public Safety Committee, led by Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, would agree to make sex trafficking of a minor a serious felony. I am profoundly disappointed that… pic.twitter.com/al3KoD1qw6

— Senator Shannon Grove (@ShannonGroveCA) July 11, 2023

"I am profoundly disappointed that committee Democrats couldn’t bring themselves to support the bill, with their stubborn and misguided objection to any penalty increase regardless of how heinous the crime," she continued.

Trafficking bill opponent seeks to bring race into criminal sentencing

"Human trafficking of children is a growing tragedy that disproportionately targets minority girls, and California is a hotbed because of our lenient penalties," the legislator pointed out.

"The sad reality is that trafficked children on Figueroa Street and across California will continue to be raped and victimized until Assembly Democrats take action," she complained.

"Since the bill was granted reconsideration, I will continue to work with the committee and fight for Californians who are outraged by their decision," Grove pledged.

This is not the first time Jones-Sawyer has been the subject of controversy, as Breitbart noted how earlier this year he authored legislation which would allow judges to "rectify" alleged racial bias in the justice system when imposing sentences.

"Sound of Freedom" shines light on human trafficking

Human trafficking has gained increased attention in recent weeks following the release of the film "Sound of Freedom" starring Christian actor Jim Caviezel.

While the production has quickly become a summer blockbuster hit, it has also been scorned by some in the mainstream media.

Rolling Stone contributor Miles Knee last week slammed the film as a "QAnon-tinged thriller" that "is designed to appeal to the conscience of a conspiracy-addled boomer."