[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 62 (Thursday, May 18, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S4185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT REAUTHORIZATION

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I rise today to call for Senate action 
on reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Earlier this 
week, the Supreme Court in its decision in United States versus 
Morrison struck a specific provision from the Violence Against Women 
Act of 1994. But that decision leaves intact the bulk of this landmark 
law. For the past five years, VAWA has funded and promoted significant 
innovations in federal, state and local programs to assist victims of 
violence, enhance prosecution of domestic violence and sexual assault 
crimes, and prevent violence against women and children in their homes 
and on our streets. This support has enabled shelters, rape crisis 
centers, health care professionals, schools, police forces and 
communities across the country to address and prevent violence against 
women. I commend my distinguished colleague from Delaware, Senator 
Biden, for his authorship of the original Violence Against Women Act 
and for his commitment to ensuring that this important legislation is 
re-authorized.
  Women across the nation, including in my home state of Wisconsin, 
have benefitted from this important legislation. Women's lives have 
been saved. Countless victims of domestic violence or sexual assault 
are receiving the services they need. Police are participating in 
training programs to arrest and bring abusers to justice. Both men and 
women are learning about the problem of domestic violence and sexual 
assault. In short, women are safer today because of this legislation.
  Our nation's progress in preventing violence against women, however, 
is now in serious jeopardy. Authorization for the Violence Against 
Women Act ends this year. I understand that Senators Biden and Hatch 
have been working closely to craft a compromise re-authorization bill. 
I commend both of my colleagues for their commitment to this issue. But 
with only weeks remaining in this abbreviated session, I urge the 
Senate leadership to take action on this legislation without further 
delay.

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