Rep. Sherrill Votes to Strengthen, Reauthorize Violence Against Women Act

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) joined her colleagues today in passing the bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019. First signed into law in 1994, the 2019 reauthorization enhances judicial, law enforcement, and healthcare tools to better serve survivors of violence, and expands housing protections for survivors.

"Women in New Jersey who are survivors of violence depend on the programs, protections, and funding under VAWA," said Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill. "This comprehensive legislation to protect women will address gaps in the current law such as the boyfriend loophole, to make sure partners, former partners, and stalkers convicted of domestic abuse are prohibited from possessing guns. It will also increase funding for initiatives including the Rape Prevention & Education Program. I'm heartened that this measure received bipartisan support in the House, and now it is up to our colleagues in the Senate to send it to the President so we can continue our work to address domestic violence."

The bipartisan Violence Against women Reauthorization Act of 2019 is sponsored by Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). Thirty-three Republicans voted in favor of VAWA, with a final vote of 263-198.

A coalition of more than 1,300 organizations supports H.R. 1585: including such groups as the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Network to End Domestic Violence, National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, Break the Cycle, Legal Momentum, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, National Organization for Women, MomsRising, Feminist Majority, YWCA USA, AAUW, Business and Professional Women's Foundation, National Partnership for Women and Families, National Women's Law Center, National Association of Hispanic Organizations, AFL-CIO, UAW, NAACP, Human Rights Campaign, National Council of Churches, and National Congress of American Indians.

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