The U.S. House of Representatives last week approved the bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA), which includes legislative language offered by both U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) Susan Brooks (R-IN).
“This is not a partisan issue which is why I put a special emphasis on working to build bipartisan support for this critical legislation,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said on April 4 following House passage of H.R. 1585 by a vote of 263-158.
The sweeping H.R. 1585, sponsored in March by U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) and supported by more than 160 cosponsors, would enhance legal tools to combat domestic and dating violence, sexual assault and stalking; bolster survivor services; expand housing protections for survivors; and increase training and prevention programs, among numerous other provisions, according to the text of the bill.
“Congress must work to break the cycle of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking in communities across the nation,” said Rep. Brooks. “Victims need our voices in Congress. I am proud to have supported VAWA in 2013 and am doing so again today, during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.”
VAWA, which originally passed in 1994 as Title IV of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, provides funding grants that support ending the cycle of domestic violence in communities around the country. Federal funds under VAWA assist first responders and sexual assault nurse training, domestic violence centers, victim advocates and counselors, among other provisions.
For instance, one of the bills included in the House-approved H.R. 1585 is the bipartisan, bicameral Combat Online Predators Act, H.R. 570/S. 134, sponsored on Jan. 15 in both the House by Rep. Fitzpatrick and lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) and in the U.S. Senate by U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Robert Casey Jr. (D-PA). The bill would ramp up penalties for predators who cyberstalk children and would require federal law enforcement officials to evaluate and update practices to fight cyberstalking, according to the congressman.
“VAWA programs have provided educational tools and helped survivors and their families get the resources they need to begin the healing process,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.
Rep. Brooks supported House Amendment (H.Amdt.) 140, offered on April 3 by U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), which was included in final House passage of H.R.1585 and would direct the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Labor to conduct a study analyzing specific barriers faced by survivors in achieving economic security.
H.Amdt. 140 would specify, but not limit, components of economic security that Americans face when striving for economic stability, including: financial empowerment, affordable housing, transportation, healthcare access, and quality education and training opportunities, according to the congressional record.
“In 2018 and 2017, VAWA provided programs across Indiana with over $11.3 million in grant funding to help victims reclaim control and safety in their lives and the lives of their children, and provide police officers, victim advocates and counselors, and sexual assault nurses with the tools they need to combat violence in our communities,” Rep. Brooks said.
H.R. 1585 has been referred to the Senate, where the congresswoman said she looks “forward to the Senate passing their version of this critical legislation and conferencing our bills so the president can sign a reauthorization of VAWA into law.”