Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. HORSFORD. No woman should have to live in fear of violence in this country.

One of my first actions in Congress was to cosponsor the Violence Against Women Act, which was authored by my colleague, Gwen Moore.

Her bill took critical steps to strengthen the ability of our local law enforcement and service providers to protect victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Her bill went to great lengths to ensure that all women in our country would be protected under the bill.

The Senate passed overwhelmingly on a bipartisan basis her bill. That is why I find the political game being played by some Republicans today to be frustrating, my colleagues find it to be frustrating, and my constituents find it to be frustrating.

I do not understand why, Madam Speaker, you would eliminate provisions to protect women from immigrant communities--many of which I represent in my district in Congressional District Four--and women from Native American communities, or inappropriately discriminate against women based on their sexual orientation.

I urge my colleagues to pass the bipartisan bill.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source