Violence Against Women Act renewed

Statement

On Thursday, the House passed H.R. 1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019. I cosponsored the bill, which preserves critical features of current law and increases protections, programs, and services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking. VAWA 2019 also enhances judicial and law enforcement tools to combat the problem, including directing grant fund to ensure the lawful recovery and storage of dangerous weapons by law enforcement agencies. U.S. Virgin Islands Delegate Stacey Plaskett added language during floor debate that doubles funding for the Sexual Assault Service Program and the Transitional Housing Assistance Program for all the territories. The last reauthorization in 2013 included my language that doubled Sexual Assault Services Program funding for the Marianas.

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