Davis Votes to Reauthorize and Expand Violence Prevention Programs for Women

Press Release

U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) yesterday voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 (VAWA), H.R. 1620, which invests in violence prevention programs for women, expands access to those programs, and strengthens protections for women facing violence or sexual assault.

"As the father to a young daughter, keeping women and girls safe from domestic violence and sexual assault is a priority of mine and a topic that transcends party lines," said Rep. Davis. "Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act is something that has evaded Congress for too long, and I hope the Senate takes it up very soon. This legislation makes new investments in violence prevention programs that are long overdue, while expanding access to those programs. Reports show that domestic violence has increased during the pandemic, due in part to COVID-19 mitigation orders from state and local governments. It's on lawmakers to take swift action to help women facing violence now more than ever, particularly as this pandemic comes to an end."

VAWA authorization lapsed in December of 2019, was temporarily reauthorized, then has been lapsed since February 2019. Last Congress, the House passed a bipartisan reauthorization, but the Senate failed to take it up. VAWA improves current law by enhancing and expanding victim services, reauthorizing grant programs to improve the criminal justice response to gender-based violence and expand allowable uses, and investing in prevention, among other important changes.

Rep. Davis offered a bipartisan amendment (#46) to VAWA that was adopted. His amendment requires the Department of Health and Human Services to include in its Study and Report on Barriers to Survivors' Economic Security Access the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on such survivors.

"We know that prior to the pandemic many survivors of domestic violence have traditionally faced increased barriers to achieve and maintain economic security despite the best of economic conditions. This pandemic has exacerbated instances of domestic violence with lockdown and shelter in place orders, that have hindered the ability of many women to escape abusive situations. As we work to reopen America, we must be mindful of the less-evident and far-reaching impacts of this pandemic to ensure that those most vulnerable in our communities are not only kept safe, but have the same ability to achieve economic success and recovery," continued Davis.

VAWA Reauthorization Act of 2021 is supported by the National Task Force To End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF), a large and diverse group of national, tribal, state, territorial, and local organizations, advocates, and individuals that focus on the development, passage and implementation of effective public policy to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

In April 2019, Davis crossed party lines and voted in favor of VAWA, which passed the House 263-158. Davis was one of 33 Republicans to vote for the bill. Davis led an effort last year to again re-authorize VAWA and increase funding and flexibility to meet Coronavirus-related demands. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 1 in 3 women experience some sort of sexual violence in their lifetime in America.

Related:

09/18/20: Davis Announces DOJ VAWA Grant to University of Illinois, Madison County

4/13/20: Davis Leads 114 Members in Support of Domestic Violence Shelters

10/21/19: Davis Announces $502k in DOJ Violence Against Women Grants

3/15/19: Davis Introduces Reauthorization of Violence Against Women Act

9/10/18: Republican Main Street Members Urge Bipartisan Reauthorization of VAWA

4/23/15: Davis Participates in "It's On Us" Rally with VP Biden at University of Illinois

2/12/13: Republicans Send Letter to Leadership Urging VAWA Reauthorization

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