Roe Statement on House Democrats' VAWA Bill

Statement

Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after voting against H.R. 1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019:

"All of us -- Republicans and Democrats -- want to ensure robust protections for victims of domestic violence. On an issue as important as preventing violence and sexual assault against women, there's no reason for partisanship. In fact, I voted for a motion in February that would have reauthorized VAWA's critical programs instead of allowing them to lapse. Unfortunately, today's bill is an unserious piece of propaganda that is dead on arrival in the Senate. It continues Democrats' campaign to eliminate faith-based organizations from public life. It weakens the focus of these programs on women and children. It undermines Second Amendment due process rights. It will also make it harder for victims of domestic violence to obtain housing in rural areas. As the Senate works to reauthorize these important programs, I am hopeful for a bipartisan solution that prioritizes victims of domestic violence instead of a partisan political agenda."

Note: In February, Republicans offered a motion to extend the authorization of VAWA, but House Democrats unanimously rejected this proposal to H.J.Res.31, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019, letting the program lapse.

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