[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 70 (Wednesday, May 16, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H2725]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            A SHAMEFUL BILL

  (Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I never could have anticipated 
speaking in opposition to the Violence Against Women Act, and it's 
unfortunate that we've come to this point, but here we are. This comes 
after more than a year of bipartisan efforts to put together a 
comprehensive, effective, and much-needed VAWA draft. But Republicans 
in the Senate and then in the House decided to ignore the 
recommendations of the FBI, the Department of Justice, and advocacy 
groups on the ground and push a version of VAWA that endangers 
immigrant women and children, ignores the needs of our native 
communities, and perpetuates discrimination against LGBT victims. That 
is why hundreds of victim services organizations oppose this bill, and 
I stand with them today.
  At the Women in Distress shelter in my district, there has been a 39 
percent increase in requests for services over the last year. Women 
need us now more than ever, and this is not the time to allow for 
discrimination or helping only some victims of domestic violence. This 
is the time to take a stand.
  As lawmakers, we speak for the voiceless, and today I speak united 
with my colleagues in opposition to this shameful bill.

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