WASHINGTON,
D.C. – During a rally on the Senate side of the Capitol, U.S. Representative
Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today called on the Senate to immediately pass legislation
to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Schakowsky joined
House and Senate members and representatives from NOW and other organizations
at the rally.
Schakowsky
warned that if the Senate fails to act within the next three days, VAWA
will expire and vital services for women seeking assistance would be gravely
jeopardized. VAWA was enacted in 1994 and funds a number of grant programs
to prosecute offenders and help victims of violence
The
House passed VAWA yesterday by an overwhelming margin. It included
a provision similar to Schakowsky’s bill, H.R. 1352, to fund transitional
housing for battered women and children. The Senate version of VAWA includes
a provision similar to legislation introduced by Schakowsky to assist battered
immigrant women.
“Every
15 seconds, someone in our country is battered. Every day, four women
die in this country as a result of domestic violence. Women, children,
and families across this nation deserve to feel safe in their homes and
in their communities,” Schakowsky said.
She
added, “The Senate must act now to reauthorize VAWA. We must give
women who are victims of abuse the power to fight back” |