The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence applauds the House of Representatives for passing H.R.2119, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021. H.R.2119, introduced by Representatives McBath, Young, Moore, and Katko, is a bipartisan, bicameral bill that reauthorizes the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), which has been unauthorized since 2015. H.R.2119 increases the funding authorization, to ensure more programs are able to receive FVPSA funds – and as a result, to receive access to the technical assistance provided by the FVPSA-funded Domestic Violence Resource Network resource centers. Additionally, it centers the needs of Communities of Color, Tribes, and LGBTQ+ survivors and expands investment in prevention.

Says Ruth M. Glenn, NCADV’s President/CEO, “FVPSA is one of the three critical pillars of the federal government’s response to domestic violence. It addresses domestic violence from a public health approach while  providing  core funding and support for domestic violence shelters – in other words, FVPSA keeps the doors open and the lights on. However, considering the needs of those experiencing abuse, FVPSA  is a relatively small program, and its reach is limited. H.R.2119 increases access to FVPSA funds by communities experiencing the highest rates of violence and expands state access to critical prevention dollars. Thank you to the House for passing this critical legislation – and now on to the Senate!”

NCADV thanks our House champions and calls on the Senate to swiftly pass H.R.2119’s companion bill, S.1275, which passed out of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on a voice vote. Reauthorizing this foundational program with critical enhancements to ensure survivors in all communities have access to life-saving services is long overdue.