House Clears Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization

December 17, 2005

Lofgren Commends Passage, Calls for More to Be Done on Issue

Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) delivered the following statement today on the House floor in support of Reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and called for additional tools to help victims of domestic violence:

“The reauthorization of VAWA is critical to protecting victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. I do believe we could have done more, but I believe this bill is an essential step.

“Since its passage in 1994, VAWA has been a success. It has provided over $5.5 billion in Federal funding to improve our criminal and community responses to domestic violence. But our work to protect victims of domestic violence is not over.

“I and over 120 of my colleagues introduced comprehensive legislation to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. Much of my bill’s provisions are reflected in the Conference Report that we are voting on today. In two critical areas, however, this Conference Report falls short, and I hope we take the opportunity to address these issues in future legislation. These provisions are critical to ensuring that victims have the means to escape the cycle of domestic violence, and to prevent that cycle from happening in the first place.

“For example, my bill would have protected immigrant victims from adverse determinations of admissibility or deportation as a result of their abuse. The Conference Report lacks these provisions.

“My bill would have also provided critical protections in the workplace. Victims of domestic violence lose 8 million paid work days each year — the equivalent of 32,000 jobs. Almost 50 percent of sexual assault survivors lose their jobs. My bill would have provided sorely needed emergency leave, emergency benefits, unemployment compensation and job protection.

“I hope we address these issues in future legislation. But I do believe that a great deal of good work has been done in this Conference Report, and I believe that it’s essential we reauthorize VAWA. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this bill.”