Gwen Moore to Attend Presidential Signing of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization

Statement

Today, Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-4) will attend the signing of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization (VAWA) which will take place today at the Department of Interior. After more than 500 days without reauthorization, the House of Representatives finally passed the Senate version of the Violence Against Women Act following the failure of the partisan and discriminatory proposal put forth by House Republicans. The Senate's version, which passed the House by a vote 286-138, extends the law's crucial protections to LGBT, Native American and immigrant victims, provides for more rape kits as well as a national registry of forensic evidence from sexual assault cases, strengthens criminal anti-trafficking statutes, provides for temporary housing for victims and addresses domestic violence on American college campuses. President Obama will sign the VAWA Reauthorization today.

"I am so pleased to join President Obama and so many of my colleagues for this historic signing," said Rep. Gwen Moore. "The reauthorization of VAWA has been a long time coming, but the majority of Congress finally came together and did the right thing on behalf of women across this country. This legislation will help all women -- including Native, LGBT and immigrant women -- come out of the shadows of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking.

"I would like to especially thank Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and House Judiciary Ranking Member John Conyers for their support in passing this legislation. Additionally, I would like to thank all of the staff in both the House and Senate and in particular, my Legislative Director Steffany Stern, for all of their hard work.

"Domestic violence is a cancer that pervades our communities and our homes. No woman should ever feel afraid in her own neighborhood or home. No woman should ever have to endure the physical and psychological pain of domestic violence. Yet, too many women continue to live in fear. Today is a glorious day for women everywhere."

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