US House Rep Susan Davis' office issued the following:
Washington, April 4, 2019
Rep. Susan Davis (CA-53) 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.
“The Violence Against Women Act is a proven success in reducing violence against women, as well as men and children,” said Rep. Davis.
“With this bill, we seized an important opportunity to expand and
strengthen this law to protect and help even more Americans who are
subjected to violence. In too many communities, too many Americans,
including 1 in 3 women, still encounter domestic violence. Our work in
Congress will never be done until every woman, in every part of our
society, can live free from violence and fear.”
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:
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Improves the services available for victims and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking
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Expands the housing protections and financial assistance available for victims and survivors
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Improves protections for Native American women, including reaffirming tribal criminal jurisdiction over non-Indian perpetrators of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking
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Closes loopholes in current firearm laws in to prevent “intimate partner” homicides by prohibiting persons convicted of misdemeanor stalking or dating violence from possessing firearms
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Invests in tools and resources for law enforcement and evidence-based prevention programs that make our communities safer
This critical reauthorization passed the House by a vote of 262-158 with one member voting Present.
