[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 123 (Thursday, October 5, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H8815]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     URGING CONGRESS TO REAUTHORIZE THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT

  (Ms. BALDWIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, as we near the end of the 106th Congress, 
there are a few bills that Congress must pass before we go home. To me, 
one of those ``must pass'' bills is the reauthorization of the Violence 
Against Women Act. The House passed VAWA, but the other body has not 
yet acted on the bill. There is no more time to waste. This law must be 
reauthorized this year.
  The program has done so much. Over the past 6 years, VAWA has helped 
millions of women, children, and families who have been victims of 
domestic abuse and sexual assault. This bill is not controversial. The 
leaders in the other body have a choice: they can continue to assist 
victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, or they can turn their 
backs on them.
  To turn their backs when they know that VAWA is working would be 
unconscionable. VAWA must reach the President's desk before Congress 
adjourns.

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