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Kaptur Votes to Reauthorize Violence Against Women Act
Last week, Congresswoman
Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), the longest serving woman in the
history of the U.S. House of Representatives, voted to pass
H.R. 1585 a bipartisan, robust, long-term Violence Against
Women Act reauthorization. The landmark Violence Against
Women Act of 1994 ushered in transformative progress by
calling for the protection of all Americans from violence
and abuse, and working to ensure all victims and survivors
have the support they need. This critical reauthorization,
which passed the House by a vote of 263-158, will safeguard
and further build upon these life-saving protections for
women throughout Northern Ohio and across the country.
"I am honored to join my
colleagues in passing this lifesaving legislation and uphold
our duty to protect the millions of people across the U.S.
who are survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault,"
said Kaptur. "Unfortunately, one in three women in our
country still encounter domestic violence. Our work in
Congress will never be over until every woman, in every part
of our society and in every community, can live without fear
of violence."
"By reauthorizing the
Violence Against Women Act, Congress is working on a
bipartisan basis to ensure all women across Ohio and
throughout the U.S. have the resources they need to seek
justice, receive care and rebuild their lives."
Background:
This reauthorization
fulfills Congress's responsibility to protect all Americans
by reaffirming protections for every woman, as well as
including vital improvements to address gaps in current law
that have been identified by victims, survivors and
advocates. This bipartisan bill:
* Improves the services
available for victims and survivors of domestic violence,
dating violence, sexual assault and stalking;
* Expands the housing
protections and financial assistance available for victims
and survivors;
* Improves protections
for Native women, including by reaffirming tribal criminal
jurisdiction over non-Indian perpetrators of domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking;
* Closes loopholes in
current firearm laws in order help prevent "intimate
partner" homicides, by prohibiting persons convicted of
misdemeanor stalking or dating violence from possessing
firearms; and
* Invests in tools and
resources for law enforcement and evidence-based prevention
programs that make our communities safer.
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