WASHINGTON,
D.C. – I want to begin by thanking NOW and all the advocates here today
who worked tirelessly last session to reauthorize the Violence Against
Women Act (VAWA) and to expand the protections VAWA provides victims of
abuse.
Everyone
here, with the help of the Clinton Administration, has worked hard to end
an unjust system and help break the cycle of violence. Re-authorizing and
expanding VAWA to a record $3.33 billion is a major victory. Congress
is once again sending a clear message to the nation that violence against
women is not only wrong, it is a crime.
VAWA
funding creates programs that supports the work of prosecutors, law enforcement
officials, victim advocates, and health and social services professionals
who are responding to the problems of violence against women and getting
them to safety and protection.
I
am additionally excited about the many provisions we were able to include
from my Battered Immigrant Women’s Protection Act and my bill on transitional
housing. In the past, abusers were able to use immigration status
as an extra tool of control, which was only made worse by changes in the
immigration law in 1996. Not any more, under VAWA 2000, immigrant woman
are empowered to leave their abusers, apply for their green card, and move
towards economic self-sufficiency without having to endure another day
of violence or being forced to leave the country.
I
am also proud that I was able to contribute to the bill in another section,
by getting $25 million for transitional housing. It is essential
women and children have a place to go after escaping their abuser.
This, however, is not the full amount we asked for and I plan to seek more
money for transitional housing needs.
This
is a huge victory, but we must remember, our work is not finished.
With the new Administration it will be harder to pass legislation we missed.
We must continue to work together until we get the job done. |