I Support Reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act

Statement

Earlier this week I signed on as an original co-sponsorship of H.R. 4970, the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, or VAWA.

Sadly, domestic abuse remains a problem in America. This five year extension preserves the original intent of VAWA: to provide resources that help prevent abuse and to protect victims if violence is already occurring. Unlike the Senate version (S. 1925) this legislation ensures victims remain the focus of the resources it provides, not Washington politicians and bureaucrats.

The House's reauthorization aims to improve VAWA, while still keeping important programs intact. Additionally, this legislation includes bipartisan elements of the Senate's version while excluding controversial provisions that veer from VAWA's original goals.

The House Judiciary Committee plans to vote on the legislation the week of May 7. If it passes out of the Committee -- which I am confident it will -- it will be considered on the House floor sometime during the following week.

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