A day after the Senate passed a bipartisan Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22) called on the House to quickly bring up and pass the bill. Frankel is co-sponsoring the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization (H.R. 11), which nearly mirrors the Senate-passed bill. Frankel joined House Democrats Wednesday at a press conference urging action in the House.

“No woman should be afraid to go to work or be in her own home,” Frankel said. “Preventing domestic violence is not a Democratic or Republican issue, it’s about our mothers, sisters, and daughters living full lives free from abuse.” 

The Senate passed a Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Tuesday by a bipartisan vote of 78-22, including a majority of Senate Republicans. The Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization would strengthen the federal government, the states, law enforcement and service provider’s efforts to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.

The Violence Against Women Act was signed into law in 1994 and has been renewed previously with strong bipartisan support in Congress. For nearly 20 years, the Violence Against Women Act has helped protect women from domestic violence. The annual incidence of domestic violence has dropped more than 50 percent since the Violence Against Women Act became law and reporting of domestic violence has increased by as much as 51 percent.

###