Violence Against Women's Act Reintroduced- Take Action Today! NCADV.org
Please forward to everyone you know who cares about ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking!
Yesterday, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Senator Michael Crapo (R-ID) introduced S.
47, a strong, bipartisan bill that would reauthorize the landmark
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)! This bill closely mirrors the
bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Leahy and Crapo last
Congress and would improve VAWA programs and strengthen protections for
all victims of violence (see description of legislation below).
In
order to continue our incredible momentum from last Congress, we need
you to take action TODAY by contacting your Senators to co-sponsor S.
47. Our goal is to get 60 co-sponsors by January 31st so that VAWA can get to the Senate floor for a bipartisan victory. We need to keep the phones ringing starting right now!
So far, the bill has the following co-sponsors in addition to its chief sponsor, Senator Leahy (D-VT): Senators Ayotte (R-NH), Bennet (D-CO),
Cantwell (D-WA), Casey (D-PA), Collins (R-ME), Coons (D-DE), Crapo
(R-ID), Durbin (D-IL), Hagan (D-NC), Kirk (R-IL), Klobuchar (D-MN),
McCaskill (D-MO), Mikulski (D-MD), Murkowski (R-AK), Murray (D-WA),
Shaheen (D-NH), Tester (D-MT), Udall (D-CO), and Whitehouse (D-RI).
Also
yesterday, Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI) and John Conyers (D-MI)
introduced H.R. 11, a House companion identical to the bipartisan Senate
bill. The National Task Force calls on the House of Representatives to
work together in a bipartisan effort to build on the momentum from the
last Congress in order to reauthorize VAWA as a matter of priority.
Action Item:
Call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask the operator to connect you to your Senators. If you don't know who your Senators are, you can look them up here. When you're connected to their offices, tell the person who answers the phone:
- I am a constituent from (city and state) and my name is _________.
- I urge Senator _________ to co-sponsor the S. 47, a strong, bipartisan bill that would reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.
- Thank you and I look forward to hearing that the Senator is a co-sponsor.
###
Description of legislation:
In addition to many important improvements throughout the bill that
received bipartisan support last year, this bill also contains enhanced
protections for tribal, LGBT and immigrant victims, which were
identified as critical priorities by advocates across the country and
also received bipartisan support last year. Last year's bill, however,
also included a modest increase in the number of U visas (created by
Congress in VAWA 2000) available to immigrant victims of domestic
violence, sexual assault and certain other violent crimes who assist law
enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of the crime.
Increasing the number of U visas helps both victims and law enforcement.
Unfortunately, that provision led to a technical objection from House
Republican leaders. In the interest of obtaining the swift
reauthorization of VAWA, the Senate introduced the new VAWA bill without
that provision in order to avoid any initial technical obstacles.
However, this new VAWA bill does recommit Congress to important
immigration provisions so that all victims are protected. Senator Leahy
will be working hard to include the U visa increase in the comprehensive
immigration reform legislation that will soon be considered by
Congress. The members of the National Task Force likewise commit to
support that effort.
###
Click here for email updates
Thank you for your advocacy! If you have any questions, please contact
publicpolicy@ncadv.org.
* Disclaimer: This post is not an endorsement of this organization, and more so shares professional opinions. This report is an op-ed piece, and encourages those specifically seeking more info to to make the most informed decisions from a wide range of perspectives, with this as one of many. I encourage those seeking it to find the best fit for your unique needs. I hope this piece is both informative and enjoyable.
Thank you for coming. Please check out other posts on my website, of interest.
Appreciations as well for being an integral part of the Kuumba Holistic Healing Project's growing community.
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