My Support for the Violence Against Women Act

I was pleased to support the stronger House version of the Violence Against Women Act to provide the greatest possible assistance and protection to women and children who have been victims of domestic or sexual abuse. As a mother, my heart goes out to the victims of human trafficking and to any woman who experiences violence at the hands of another.

The House version was a stronger bill due to the important accountability and constitutional measures it included. The House version would have provided the resources necessary for effective law enforcement and care efforts for victims of domestic and sexual abuse, while requiring increased transparency and reporting, which is critical to ensuring that funding is reaching and properly helping those most in need. The House version also safeguards the U.S. Constitution by providing a constitutional route for tribal governments to prosecute non-Native American perpetrators who commit domestic violence crimes on tribal land.

The Senate version, meanwhile, failed to ensure that victims of human trafficking in the United States would receive the best care we could provide from the best qualified providers. The Senate version also gutted funding for the State Department Trafficking in Persons office that has successfully led the U.S. effort to hold countries accountable for prosecuting labor and sex trafficking and for aiding victims. These programs should have been thoroughly reviewed and reauthorized under a stand-alone bill. I believe they deserve such separate consideration, especially after the shocking 2011 denial of a grant application by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which had been rated second highest by an independent review panel.

Violence against women is tragic and unacceptable, and fighting against domestic violence is not a partisan issue. It is important that Congress works together to provide the best possible assistance, in the most effective way, for law enforcement entities, domestic abuse organizations, and all victims of violence.