Related Information: Congressional Research Service Reports Violence Against Women Act: History, Federal Funding, and Reauthorizing Legislation. (pdf format) Updated March 19, 2003 Legislation Violence Against Women Act Authorization Related News: more related news...

In 1994, I was an original cosponsor of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), a law that provides funding to states to increase the availability of services, prosecutors and law enforcement personnel to women and children who were victims of domestic violence. Wisconsin has benefited tremendously from VAWA -- during the eight years program funding has been in place, services offered and rendered have increased dramatically.

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and its Commerce, Justice, State (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittee, I have worked hard to see that year after year VAWA receives full funding in the Senate appropriations bills. I will continue to support this funding in addition to legislation necessary to help prevent violence against women.