Democrats Play Politics With Violence Against Women Act
Democrats’ Political Maneuvering Will Cause VAWA To Expire Even Though They Said Lawmakers Should Not ‘Play Partisan Games With’ It
“VAWA was extended as part of the last government funding bill, and expires Friday. Republicans have pushed for a straight, clean extension as part of this bill. Democrats want to deal with VAWA separately -- they have their own bill. But if it's not extended before Friday, it will lapse.” (Politico Playbook, 2/13/2019)
- “Republicans in both the House and Senate have suggested that reauthorization for a number of months would give lawmakers an opportunity to create a bipartisan reauthorization measure that addresses the shifting needs of communities.” (“Violence Against Women Act Extension Could Complicate Spending Bill,” Roll Call, 2/13/2019)
- “A senior Republican aide confirmed that the lack of an agreement on VAWA would lead the current law to lapse after Friday, though a senior Democratic aide said the expiration should have ‘zero impact.’” (“In Bid To Avoid Shutdown, Spending Deal Drops Violence Against Women Act Extension, Other Contentious Provisions,” Roll Call, 2/13/2019)
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): “We can’t let any unrelated, cynical partisan plays get in the way of finishing this important process. I understand, for example, that Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats are apparently objecting … to a modest extension of the Violence Against Women Act…. Republicans believe that we should follow standard procedure and extend this important legislation through the end of this fiscal year, which is about seven months…. Every time that a continuing resolution was necessary in the past Congress, Republicans made sure it included an extension of the VAWA. I don’t know what cynical ploy my Democratic colleagues may be trying to pull, but surely no political maneuvering should be worth letting the Violence Against Women Act lapse this Friday …” (Sen. McConnell, Remarks, 2/13/2019)
- SEN. McCONNELL: “There are new Chairmen this Congress of both the Senate and House Judiciary Committees, and a modest extension of this authority would allow them to work on a longer-term reauthorization of this important law. In addition, a modest extension of this law is consistent with how this matter has been handled in the past.” (Sen. McConnell, Remarks, 2/13/2019)
Democrats Have Said Congress Should ‘Not Play Partisan Games With The Violence Against Women Act’ And Called ‘The Failure To Reauthorize The Violence Against Women Act’ ‘Absolutely Shameful’
SEN. CORY BOOKER (D-NJ): “This is deeply concerning—the Violence Against Women Act, which provides critical resources for survivors of domestic violence & sexual assault, expired with the government shutdown.” (Sen. Booker, @SenBooker, Twitter, 12/23/2018)
SEN. KAMALA HARRIS (D-CA): “The failure to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act … is absolutely shameful.” (Sen. Harris, @KamalaHarris, Twitter, 12/26/2018)
SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN (D-MA): “The Violence Against Women Act – which supports critical programs to help victims of sexual assault, domestic abuse, and stalking – expired at midnight. We could have funded it …” (Sen. Warren, @SenWarren, Twitter, 12/22/2018)
SEN. JEFF MERKLEY (D-OR): “The Violence Against Women’s Act hasn’t been reauthorized … leaving domestic violence and sexual assault survivors vulnerable …” (Sen. Merkley, @SenJeffMerkley, Twitter, 12/26/2018)
REP. STENY HOYER (D-MD): “#VAWA is set to expire on September 30. I urge Republicans to bring this legislation to the Floor and to not play partisan games with the Violence Against Women Act …” (Rep. Hoyer, @LeaderHoyer, Twitter, 7/26/2018)
REP. JOE KENNEDY III (D-MA): “… allowing the Violence Against Women Act to expire and leaving survivors of domestic violence & sexual assault without critical, lifesaving resources. Shameful.” (Rep. Kennedy, @RepJoeKennedy, Twitter, 12/21/2018)
REP. DON BEYER (D-VA): “The Other Shutdown: The Violence Against Women Act expired along with government funding last week.” (Rep. Beyer, @RepDonBeyer, Twitter, 12/27/2018)
REP. BARBARA LEE (D-CA): “Absolutely shameful the Violence Against Women Act has expired …” (Rep. Lee, @BLeeforCongress, Twitter, 12/22/2018)
REP. NORMA TORRES (D-CA): “… allowed the Violence Against Women Act to expire. That means survivors of sexual violence and indigenous women will be without the vital services and protections they need, and robbed of their peace of mind and safety.” (Rep. Torres, @NormaJTorres, Twitter, 12/22/2018)
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SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
Related Issues: Senate Democrats
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