[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 29, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
IN SUPPORT OF STRONG VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT PROVISIONS IN THE CRIME 
                                  BILL

                                 ______


                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 28, 1994

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Violence 
Against Women Act and join my colleagues in calling for the strongest 
possible domestic violence provisions to be included in the crime bill 
conference.
  Today, along with other California women Members of Congress, I will 
be sending a letter to the conferees on the crime bill urging them to 
accept the toughest provisions of both the House and the Senate 
versions of the crime bill.
  Domestic violence and spousal abuse are among the most common and 
heinous crimes in America. Imagine coming home every day to an abusive 
situation. Imagine living day-to-day with a violent person. Imagine 
waking up each morning not knowing if you will be able to make it to 
the next morning without suffering severe bodily harm. Imagine not 
feeling safe, not being safe, in your own home--not for fear of someone 
from the outside breaking in, but because you live with someone who 
threatens your life daily.
  This is the tragic reality for many women and many children in our 
country today. Congress must act to change this situation by clamping 
down on the criminals who abuse and by protecting the victims of 
domestic violence. Congress must pass a crime bill which includes 
strong violence against women provisions.
  The final crime bill must protect battered immigrant women. The House 
version of the crime bill includes provisions to prevent abusive 
spouses from using immigration law to control and continue abusing 
their undocumented spouses. Presently, abused immigrant spouses often 
cannot escape a violent household because leaving it would result in 
their deportation. Mr. Speaker, we must correct a system which allows a 
perpetrator of domestic violence the power to continue abusing because 
of immigration technicalities.
  In addition, I join with my colleagues today in calling for the 
highest possible funding levels for domestic violence prevention and 
urge the conferees to recede to the Senate authorization of $1.8 
billion for these purposes. Domestic violence programs must be 
supported with sufficient funds to combat these crimes.
  We cannot afford to lose this opportunity to strengthen domestic 
violence prevention efforts and toughen the penalties for those who 
continue to break the law.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from California, Ms. Roybal-Allard, 
for organizing this morning hour on a very important part of the crime 
bill and I once again urge the crime bill conferees to accept the 
strongest possible violence against women provisions.

                          ____________________