Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I do have one of the en bloc amendments at the desk.

Madam Speaker, this amendment requires the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on the issues identified by a Government Accountability Office report and the use of telehealth.

In 2018, the Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee held an eye-opening hearing on sexual assault forensic examinations that highlighted gaps in training and care related to sexual assault forensic examinations. The Government Accountability Office testified at this hearing on its 2016 report on sexual assault forensic exams, which identified gaps in aspects of performing exams, training, leadership development, examiner program sustainability, and education of community stakeholders.

This amendment is simple, and it is common sense. The Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services must issue guidance on addressing the gaps identified by GAO.

In Texas, there have been efforts to utilize telehealth, including the Project ECHO model, to provide sexual assault forensic examinations and training. The nurses involved in these programs have established their success. I am sure States have employed other useful telehealth models that should be further explored as well.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate that this amendment is endorsed by the International Association of Forensic Nurses, signaling its importance, and I urge support for this amendment.

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