My Vote to Help Protect Women

Statement

Yesterday I voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) with some important improvements for Native American victims of domestic violence.

This law has helped protect women for 18 years and as a result, domestic violence is down by more than 50 percent. It's proven policy that is saving women's lives.

Watch my Video Vote on VAWA and learn how we've built on this law's success to make protections for women even stronger.

Sadly, many Native American women who have experienced domestic violence in the past have never been able to fully benefit from VAWA. It's estimated that an astounding 60 percent of women in tribal communities experience domestic violence in their lifetimes.

Yet, because of jurisdictional issues and loopholes, their perpetrators could evade justice. The VAWA bill we passed will confront this. Now tribal governments will have broader jurisdiction to prosecute all domestic violence crime against members of a tribe.

Take a moment to watch my Video Vote and hear about how we're helping victims of domestic violence get the justice they deserve.

This important bill is now in the hands of the House of Representatives. We must urge them to pass it.

P.S. - Be sure to share your thoughts about VAWA on my Facebook page and on Twitter.

Source