Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22) today attended her first bill signing as she joined President Barack Obama, as he signed into law the re-authorized Violence Against Women Act, a week after she helped pass this important bipartisan bill. Frankel also joined Members of Congress, women’s organizations, law enforcement officials, domestic violence survivors, tribal leaders and advocates who together fought hard to pass this important bill.

“The Violence Against Women Act saves lives and both Democrats and Republicans stood together for our mothers, sisters and daughters,” Frankel said. “No woman should ever be forced to suffer in silence in the face of domestic violence or be afraid to be in her own home or workplace. The passage of this bill is an example of how Democrats and Republicans can work together to do good things for our constituents.”

Frankel, who co-sponsored the re-authorized Violence Against Women Act, recently spoke on the house floor about the importance of its passage.

The Violence Against Women Act was originally signed into law in 1994. Since then, our country has seen the annual incidence of domestic violence drop by more than 50 percent. The re-authorized legislation expands coverage of those who are protected under law and strengthens the criminal justice system's response to crimes against women, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking.

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