[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 71 (Thursday, May 17, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H2826]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THE ``REAL'' VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT

  (Mr. CARNAHAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, the original Violence Against Women Act 
was championed by then-Senator Joe Biden, who understood that all women 
must be protected from domestic abuse and violence. He understood that 
many women are afraid to come forward to report abuse. The Violence 
Against Women Act gave women a better chance to live their lives 
without that fear.
  Again, the Senate has taken the lead. They already reauthorized the 
Violence Against Women Act and did it in a way that protects all women. 
It does not discriminate. It promises that America will stand by women; 
we will protect women, and we will prosecute their abusers.
  The Republican bill that barely passed this House yesterday breaks 
our solemn promise. I call on leadership to allow a fair up-or-down 
vote on the ``real'' Violence Against Women Act and not some watered-
down, weakened version. We owe it to our mothers, our sisters, our 
daughters, our friends, and to the memory of those we have lost to 
abuse.

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