Sen. Mark Udall calls for swift passage of Violence Against Women Act

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Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) on Tuesday called on Congress to quickly pass a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

“Violence against women is unacceptable, and it is critical that we do everything we can to ensure that groups dedicated to combating domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking have the resources they need,” Udall said. “That is why the House’s lack of action last year is so discouraging. Women in Colorado and across our great nation expect better. I am calling on the House to reauthorize this law and help law enforcement officers confront perpetrators of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse; provide safe and secure support services to survivors of crimes; and establish a National Domestic Violence Hotline.”

The VAWA had been reauthorized with bipartisan support for 18 years. However, the latest reauthorization drew opposition from Republicans because it included new protections for illegal immigrants, LGBT individuals, and Native Americans. Rather than vote on the Senate version of the VAWA, House Republicans passed their own watered-down version of the bill and allowed the VAWA to die at the end of the 112th Congress.