Congresswoman Johnson Reintroduces Violence Against Women Act

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson held a press conference with Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, House Judiciary Ranking Member John Conyers, Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-4), and several members of the House Democratic Caucus to reintroduce the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) of 2013. The reauthorization of VAWA will strengthen preexisting previsions, and expand protections to LGBT Americans, immigrants, and Native Americans.

“As an original cosponsor of this bill, I fully support a comprehensive Violence Against Women Act that protects all victims of violence. A delay in the reauthorization of VAWA could reverse years of progress in increasing awareness, reducing sexual assault and abuse, and sending a strong message that the American people will not tolerate violent crimes against women. I encourage my colleagues to reauthorize VAWA without delay so that we may ensure continuity for these critical programs and protections.”

“I have always been a strong advocate for legislation that will effectively provide victims with the tools they need to escape their abusers. Failure to reauthorize VAWA will deny victims the support and protection that they desperately need.  The reauthorization of VAWA is essential for the protection of women, and we must pass it without delay,” - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Johnson.

Last year, the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan reauthorization of VAWA, with key provisions strengthening the law by a vote of 68 to 31.  However, the Republican leadership in the House refused to bring this bipartisan bill to the floor, and VAWA failed to secure reauthorization in the last Congress.  Currently, VAWA has 158 cosponsors in the House and has bipartisan support in the Senate.