[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 74 (Tuesday, May 22, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN OPPOSITION TO THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 22, 2012

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I am sad to rise today in opposition to H.R. 
4970, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012.
  VAWA has never been a partisan issue until this Congress, and I am 
disappointed that the safety of women in this country is now a 
political game to those in charge.
  Mr. Speaker, I am a brother, a father and a grandfather.
  I want to be a part of a country that believes in protecting and 
preventing violence towards all people, especially our most vulnerable.
   When women and girls feel threatened or are at risk of experiencing 
violence, it interferes with their ability to pursue an education, 
employment, or community involvement.
  For this reason, I have been a strong supporter of past Violence 
Against Women bills.
  The Violence Against Women Act has been an essential tool in helping 
to protect victims of domestic and sexual violence and to allow women 
and girls to pursue the American dream.
  First passed in 1994 and reauthorized in 2000 and 2005, VAWA has 
successfully strengthened enforcement of state and federal anti-
violence laws and underwritten effective prevention and victim support 
programs.
  Since VAWA was first signed into law, annual incidents of domestic 
violence have dropped by more than 60 percent.
  It has been one of the best tools law enforcement, prosecutors, and 
community service providers have to help protect and support women who 
have experienced gender violence. The law also streamlines these 
community programs, saving states and the federal government billions 
of dollars.
  Unfortunately, the version of the bill before us today reverses many 
of the modest protections in the original bill.
  Even worse, this bill goes a step further and outright excludes 
vulnerable populations such as Native American women, non-citizen 
women, and LGBT individuals.
  Tragically, H.R. 4970 subjects many women to even greater risks of 
violence and makes it even harder for them to receive the services and 
programs that should be readily available to them.
  Once again, House Republicans are choosing confrontation over 
compromise.
  This Republican bill is opposed by hundreds of groups including law 
enforcement, civil rights, and faith-based groups and many, many, many 
of my constituents.
  I want only the best for the women in my family and for all of the 
women in this country.
  This bill falls far, far short of the mark.
  It does not deserve to be called the ``Violence Against Women Act'' 
because it fails to protect the people it claims to serve.
  I will be voting against this bill and I urge my colleagues to 
support all women and reject this terrible legislation.

                          ____________________