5/17/2012

WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed a partisan version of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): 

“Today, my colleagues and I held an emotionally charged debate over protections for victims of domestic violence. In the end, the Republican majority voted to pass a House version of VAWA that excludes the LGBT community, immigrants, Native Americans, and students from these protections. 

“Domestic violence does not discriminate against race, gender, age, marital status, or economic status. Restricting services to any victim of violence in the home is untenable. A black eye isn’t gender specific.

“We’re talking about ending violence in all of our homes and communities, but House Republicans managed to politicize the issue by forcing a vote on a bill that intentionally excludes groups politically unpopular with Tea Party extremists in their party.

“House Republicans could have taken up the Senate’s bi-partisan bill which had every Republican woman senator supporting it and that treats all victims of domestic violence with respect. Instead they chose to consider only a partisan version of the bill even though VAWA has had strong bi-partisan support for nearly 20 years.”

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