Webster Supports Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act
Press Release
U.S. Representative Daniel Webster (FL-08) issued the following statement on Violence Against Women Act, H.R. 4970, a bill he co-sponsored that provides federal funding to assist victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault victim assistance.
"Today's reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act will help protect our community's sisters, daughters, and mothers from unspeakable acts of violence. As a father of two daughters and grandfather to three girls, I was proud to see the House advance federal support to protect them from violence, stalking, and sexual assault. Through this legislation, state and local governments, and victim service providers will be able to help prevent domestic violence and assist women in desperate need of protection.
"The reauthorization also doubles resources to eliminate a backlog of rape evidence kits -- a disturbing backlog that never should have occurred in the first place. Also, to ensure that taxpayer funds are used responsibly and efficiently, the bill reduces immigration fraud and streamlines and consolidates the grant process," said Webster.
H.R. 4970 reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant programs administered by the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services for fiscal years 2013 through 2017. VAWA was established to prevent and prosecute the crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, and aid victims, and has been expanded to help the young and elderly.
H.R. 4970 Facts:
The funding level of $680 million per year is the same in both in the House and Senate.
The bill enhances judicial and law enforcement tools to combat violence against women.
The bill brings greater accountability to VAWA grant administration by requiring audits to ensure that taxpayer funds are efficiently spent on victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, while reducing unnecessary waste.
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