Pelosi Statement on 3rd Anniversary of Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization

Contact: Drew Hammill/Evangeline George, 202-226-7616

San Francisco – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on the third anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization, which was signed by President Obama on March 7, 2013:

“Every woman has the right to feel safe at home, on campus, on the reservation, in the barracks, at work, and while walking down the street.  Three years ago, Congress affirmed that right by reauthorizing the landmark Violence Against Women Act, which confronts the scourge of sexual and domestic violence in the United States.

“All women deserve to be safe from violence.  But for 18 months, House Republicans refused to pass the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization unless they could exclude immigrant, LGBT and Native American women from the law’s vital protections.  House Republicans overwhelmingly decided their agenda of discrimination was more important than helping vulnerable women.

“Fortunately, Democrats held firm, and we passed a comprehensive Violence Against Women Act reauthorization that protects every woman.  When President Obama signed the reauthorization of this law, originally forged by Vice President Biden, the President explained, ‘this law didn’t just change the rules; it changed our culture.’  VAWA strives to ensure that sexual and domestic violence have no place in our society.  As we mark this anniversary, let us renew our commitment to protect all women from violence.”

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