OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021

Floor Speech

Date: March 17, 2021
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Women Criminal Justice

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Mrs. FLETCHER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. I thank my colleague from Houston, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, for her leadership and her tireless efforts to get this critical legislation to this House floor.

The Violence Against Women Act provides essential support for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, and its reauthorization now is vitally important, as many of my colleagues have shared. It is critical for organizations in my community that support survivors, like the Houston Area Women's Center, which has reported a dramatic rise in requests for their services through the coronavirus pandemic--more than 6,000 more calls responded to in 2020 alone.

Madam Speaker, in 2020, the number of people the center sheltered tripled. Sadly, we have been reminded again today of the dangers that women face in our society. The Violence Against Women Act provides resources and services that are lifesaving. That is why I am proud to cosponsor this legislation and to vote in support of it today.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to do the same.

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