Rep. Pascrell Urges House Leadership to Pass Violence Against Women Act

Senate passes bipartisan reauthorization while more than 500 days pass with no House action

WASHINGTON - After passing by an overwhelming majority in the Senate, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today urged Speaker Boehner to bring the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act to the floor after House Republicans allowed the law to expire more than 500 days ago.

"It's shameful that more than 500 days have passed since House Republicans let the Violence Against Women Act expire," said Rep. Pascrell, an original cosponsor of legislation to reauthorize VAWA. "Today the Senate passed a bipartisan reauthorization of VAWA, yet Speaker Boehner continues to drag his feet on this legislation that has protected women for nearly two decades. Since 1994, this law has made great strides when it comes to responses to domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in the United States. All women deserve the protections provided by VAWA regardless of their immigrant status, race or sexual orientation. I strongly urge Speaker Boehner to put aside partisan politics and send this reauthorization to the President to sign in order to protect those vulnerable to domestic violence."