The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (“NCADV”) commends Chairwoman Karen Bass (D-CA-37) and Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) for their leadership in introducing the bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 (H.R. 1585). The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 contains modest enhancements and critical fixes to existing law, investing in prevention, improving access to justice for Native survivors, protecting victims of dating violence and stalking from abusers with guns, improving enforcement of court orders, and increasing access to safe housing for survivors.

Says Ruth Glenn, President & CEO, “The Violence Against Women Act is one of the three pillars of the federal response to intimate partner violence. Each reauthorization has built on the previous authorization, going back a quarter-century. The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 is based on an understanding of gaps in existing law identified through extensive outreach to domestic violence advocates, survivors, and other key stakeholders. We thank Chairwoman Bass and Representative Fitzpatrick for their leadership in taking a stand against domestic violence.”

NCADV urges the House to move swiftly to pass the Violence Against Women Act of 2019 without harmful amendments that would roll back vital existing protections for all victims and include enhancements that improve on services and supports for survivors. We also urge the Senate to introduce and pass a companion bill to Chairwoman Bass’s and Representative Fitzpatrick’s modest yet powerful legislation.