Meehan Fights for Vets, Abuse Victims in Funding Bill

Worked to Make Vets Courts, Anti-Trafficking Programs Priorities

WASHINGTON, DC– Congressman Patrick Meehan successfully fought for more investment in veterans treatment courts and programs that support victims of sexual violence in a Justice Department funding bill that passed early this morning.

“This bipartisan bill sets priorities and funds programs vital to assisting veterans and protecting our communities from crime,” said Congressman Meehan. “I’m pleased that it passed with overwhelming bipartisan approval. I commend Chairman Rogers, Chairman Wolf and my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee for their hard work moving this bill through the House.”

Appropriations subcommittee chairman Frank Wolf (VA-10) today praised Congressman Meehan’s leadership in securing funding for vital programs that support victims of crimes and our nation’s veterans:

“Congressman Meehan has been a leader throughout this process and I have appreciated his input on how to make this bill as strong as well possible to deal with domestic violence, trafficking and addiction,” said Chairman Wolf. “He has also long been a voice for the victims of domestic violence and has been among the strongest advocates for funding for programs authorized by the Violence Against Women Act.  He has also fought for our veterans, and his leadership helped ensure higher funding for veterans’ treatment courts.”

“I am pleased to say that the FY15 CJS bill contains the highest levels of funding for combating human trafficking, ever.  This is a testament to the hard work and experience of Congressman Meehan who, among others, knows just how vital these resources are for trafficking victims. I appreciate his continued efforts to raise awareness in Congress and to advocate for these important resources,” Wolf said.

Meehan Priorities in the Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations bill (H.R. 4660):

-          $426 million for the Office on Violence Against Women, an increase of more than $8 million over 2014 levels. Last year, Congressman Meehan led the effort in the House to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.

-          $14 million for Veterans’ Treatment Courts, an increase of $10 million over last year. In the 111th Congress, Meehan was instrumental in securing the first federal funding for veterans’ courts.

-           $45 million to enable the Department of Justice to create federal human trafficking task forces across the nation. Meehan hosted a roundtable discussion on the human trafficking crisis earlier this week.