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1/23/13

Rep. Edwards released the below statement following the reintroduction of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in the 113th Congress. In the last Congress, the United States Senate passed a bipartisan reauthorization of VAWA, with key provisions strengthening the law, by a vote of 68 to 31.  However, House Republicans refused to bring this bipartisan bill to the floor.

“I am proud to stand with 153 of my House Democratic colleagues, including every single woman, to reintroduce the Violence Against Women Act. Before the 112th Congress, domestic violence never was and, moving forward, should never be a partisan issue. A comprehensive VAWA reauthorization must be bipartisan, build on current protections, and adhere to the advice of our service providers on service delivery and how law enforcement can protect victims properly. This bill meets those needs, and has been introduced again with bipartisan support in the Senate. Let’s pass it in the House.”

Congresswoman Edwards was the co-founder and executive director of the National Network to End Domestic Violence. As an advocate, she led in the effort to pass the bipartisan Violence Against Women Act of 1994 signed into law by President Bill Clinton.