U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) recently joined more than 150 cosponsors to introduce the bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021.
Authorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994 expired in 2018. During the previous congressional session, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bipartisan VAWA reauthorization, but the U.S. Senate failed to take up the bill, according to Rep. Fitzpatrick’s office.
“VAWA has been instrumental in improving and enhancing our nation’s response to safeguarding women and children from abuse, anguish, and violence,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said on March 10. “Congress has historically reauthorized VAWA with broad, bipartisan agreement, and I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to ensure that VAWA continues to protect victims and survivors across the nation.”
Rep. Fitzpatrick is among 159 original cosponsors of H.R. 1620, which was sponsored on March 8 by U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX). The bill currently has 170 cosponsors.
If enacted, H.R. 1620 would enhance and expand victim services; reauthorize grant programs to improve the criminal justice response to gender-based violence; Invest in prevention; bolster access to housing for victims and survivors; help survivors gain and maintain economic independence; support communities of color; and strengthen the healthcare system’s response to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking, among numerous other provisions included in the sweeping bill.
According to Rep. Fitzpatrick’s office, it has been eight years since the last reauthorization of VAWA. “Congress must continue to aggressively combat domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking by passing our bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021,” said the congressman.
The measure is supported by the National Task Force To End Sexual and Domestic Violence, which is a diverse organization of national, tribal, state, territorial, and local organizations, advocates, and individuals focused on effective public policy to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Marianne Lynch, executive director of A Woman’s Place, a Bucks County, Pa. domestic violence organization, also supports the legislation. “Since its inception in 1994, VAWA has been a critical tool in the work to end domestic violence. Congressman Fitzpatrick’s unwavering support of this bipartisan effort has allowed A Woman’s Place to continue life-saving work under some of the most challenging circumstances of our lifetime,” Lynch said.