[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 71 (Thursday, May 17, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E830]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2012

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                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 16, 2012

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, since 1994 Congress has expanded and 
reauthorized the landmark Violence Against Women Act numerous times in 
a bipartisan manner. It is unfortunate that the Republican leadership 
in the House has deviated from tradition with this bill.
  This bill not only strips important provisions that were passed in 
the Senate by a bipartisan vote of 68 31, but also weakens preventive 
provisions that have been included in previous bills reauthorizing the 
Violence Against Women Act, which were supported by Democrats and 
Republicans over the past 18 years. The Senate's comprehensive 
reauthorization bill improves protections for Native American women, 
immigrants, and ensures all victims are assisted regardless of religion 
or sexual orientation. I support the Senate's bipartisan approach to 
the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization bill. I cosponsored a 
version of the bill in the House of Representatives. I also voted to 
bring the Senate bill up for a vote in the House, but the Republican 
leadership blocked all amendments and the opportunity to vote on the 
Senate version.
  House Republicans have brought to the floor today a controversial 
bill that will weaken long-standing protections and roll back key 
provisions. This is the first time the Violence Against Women Act has 
become political and it is shame. More than 300 groups have opposed 
aspects of this bill. Those groups include the National Network to End 
Domestic Violence, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence 
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, Break the Cycle, U.S. 
Conference of Mayors, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, 
National Organization for Women, YWCA USA, AAUW, Business and 
Professional Women's Foundation, National Women's Law Center, Planned 
Parenthood Federation of America, American Bar Association, Human 
Rights Campaign, NAACP, National Congress of American Indians, National 
Council of La Raza, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, United Church of 
Christ, and the United Methodist Church. I believe that Congress should 
stand up for all victims of domestic violence and support a 
comprehensive reauthorization bill.
  I hope the House rejects this bill today and immediately passes the 
Senate's Violence Against Women Act reauthorization bill. I will 
monitor the progress of this bill in conference with the Senate. I am 
hopeful that future changes and improvements will give me a chance to 
vote on an acceptable alternative.

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