Congressional Record, Volume 165 Issue 58 (Wednesday, April 3, 2019)

[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 58 (Wednesday, April 3, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H3003-H3061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2019

General Leave

Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
insert extraneous material on H.R. 1585.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 281 and rule
XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House
on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill, H.R. 1585.
The Chair appoints the gentleman from California (Mr. Aguilar) to
preside over the Committee of the Whole.

{time} 1425

In the Committee of the Whole

Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the
Whole House on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill
(H.R. 1585) to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, and
for other purposes, with Mr. Aguilar in the chair.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The CHAIR. Pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered read the
first time.
The gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler) and the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Collins) each will control 30 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 2 minutes.
Mr. Chairman, H.R. 1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization
Act of 2019, will not only reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act,
also known as VAWA, but will also strengthen and expand the act's
critical programs.
VAWA's grant programs provide communities across America the crucial
assistance they need to combat crimes of domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, and stalking. H.R. 1585 builds on this
foundation by enhancing the services available under these programs and
by expanding their reach to include vulnerable populations who are
victims of these crimes.
VAWA, which is not gender exclusive, addresses the needs of men and
women, children, persons with disabilities, homeless persons, and LGBTQ
people, among others. Importantly, H.R. 1585 includes new protections
for transgender individuals.
The range of individuals VAWA helps is broad and should be as diverse
as our communities around the country. I am pleased that this
reauthorization continues our commitment to this important principle.
This bill reauthorizes a wide variety of grant programs, including
programs to help prosecute violent crimes against women and to provide
services to sexual assault victims. It also strengthens various
nondiscrimination provisions, provides greater protections for
survivors during the prosecution of perpetrators, expands services for
older survivors of abuse, authorizes programs specifically targeted
toward rural areas, strengthens protections against gun violence in
domestic abuse situations, and expands the jurisdiction of some Tribal
authorities over non-Indians who commit certain crimes on Tribal lands.
I want to thank Ms. Bass, the chair of the Subcommittee on Crime,
Terrorism, and Homeland Security and the sponsor of this legislation,
for her outstanding leadership in the effort to reauthorize VAWA.
I also want to thank Ms. Jackson Lee for her longstanding and
tireless efforts over the years to protect and strengthen the act.
Thanks to their efforts and the efforts of many others, this bill
will not only continue the progress enabled by VAWA as originally
enacted, but it will also make the act an even more effective tool in
addressing the horrible scourge of domestic violence.
Mr. Chair, accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support this
legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H3004]]

House of Representatives,

Committee on the Judiciary,

Washington, DC, March 14, 2019.
Hon. Frank Pallone, Jr.,
Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Pallone: I am writing to you concerning H.R.
1585, the ``Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of
2019.''
I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this
legislation. I recognize that the bill contains provisions
that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Energy
and Commerce. I acknowledge that your Committee will not
formally consider H.R. 1585 and agree that the inaction of
your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any
future jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in
H.R. 1585 which fall within your Committee's Rule X
jurisdiction.
I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in
the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the
bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this
legislation and look forward to continuing to work with you
as this measure moves through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Jerrold Nadler,
Chairman.
____

House of Representatives,

Committee on Energy and Commerce,

Washington, DC, March 21, 2019.
Hon. Jerrold Nadler,
Chair, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chair: I write concerning H.R. 1585, the
``Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019,'' as
amended, which was additionally referred to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce.
In recognition of the desire to expedite consideration of
H.R. 1585, the Committee on Energy and Commerce agrees to
waive formal consideration of the bill as to provisions that
fall within the rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on
Energy and Commerce. The Committee takes this action with the
mutual understanding that we do not waive any jurisdiction
over the subject matter contained in this or similar
legislation, and that the Committee will be appropriately
consulted and involved as this bill or similar legislation
moves forward so that we may address any remaining issues
within our jurisdiction. I also request that you support my
request to name members of the Committee on Energy and
Commerce to any conference committee to consider such
provisions.
Finally, I would appreciate the inclusion of this letter in
the report on the bill and into the Congressional Record
during floor consideration of H.R. 1585.
Sincerely,
Frank Pallone, Jr.,
Chairman.
____

House of Representatives,

Committee on the Judiciary,

Washington, DC, March 14, 2019.
Hon. Maxine Waters,
Chairwoman, Committee on Financial Services, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairwoman Waters: I am writing to you concerning H.R.
1585, the ``Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of
2019.''
I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this
legislation. I recognize that the bill contains provisions
that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on
Financial Services. I acknowledge that your Committee will
not formally consider H.R. 1585 and agree that the inaction
of your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any
future jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in
H.R. 1585 which fall within your Committee's Rule X
jurisdiction.
I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in
the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the
bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this
legislation and look forward to continuing to work with you
as this measure moves through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Jerrold Nadler,
Chairman.
____

House of Representatives,

Committee on Financial Services,

Washington, DC, March 21, 2019.
Hon. Jerrold Nadler,
Chairman, House Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing concerning H.R. 1585, the
``Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019.''
Because you have been working with the Committee on Financial
Services concerning provisions in the bill that fall within
our Rule X jurisdiction, I agree to forgo formal
consideration of the bill so that it may proceed
expeditiously to the House floor. I do so based on my
understanding that the Committee on the Judiciary will work
to ensure that the text of H.R. 1585 that will be considered
by House of Representatives will include changes that are
being discussed between the two Committees with respect to
certain provisions that are within the jurisdiction of the
Committee on Financial Services, provided that the relevant
texts are submitted to the Committee on the Judiciary in a
timely manner.
The Committee on Financial Services takes this action to
forego formal consideration of H.R. 1585 with our mutual
understanding that, by foregoing formal consideration of H.R.
1585 at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over the
subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and
that our Committee will be appropriately consulted and
involved as this or similar legislation moves forward. Our
Committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of an
appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate
conference involving this or similar legislation and request
your support for any such request.
Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter
confirming this understanding, and, while I understand that
your letter to the Committee and my response will be included
in the Committee report on H.R. 1585, I would ask that a copy
of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the
Congressional Record during floor consideration of H.R. 1585.
Sincerely,
Maxine Waters,
Chairwoman.
____

House of Representatives,

Committee on the Judiciary,

Washington, DC, March 21, 2019.
Hon. Maxine Waters,
Chairwoman, Committee on Financial Services, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairwoman Waters: I am writing to acknowledge your
letter dated March 21, 2019 responding to our request to your
Committee that it waive any jurisdictional claims over the
matters contained in H.R. 1585, the ``Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act of 2019,'' that fall within your
Committee's Rule X jurisdiction. The Committee on the
Judiciary confirms our mutual understanding that your
Committee does not waive any jurisdiction over the subject
matter contained in this or similar legislation, and your
Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as the
bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may
address any remaining issues within your Committee's
jurisdiction.
I will ensure that this exchange of letters is included in
the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the
bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this
legislation and look forward to continuing to work with you
as this measure moves through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Jerrold Nadler,
Chairman.
____

House of Representatives,

Committee on the Judiciary,

Washington, DC, March 14, 2019.
Hon. Richard Neal,
Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Neal: I am writing to you concerning H.R.
1585, the ``Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of
2019.''
I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this
legislation. I recognize that the bill contains provisions
that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways
and Means. I acknowledge that your Committee will not
formally consider H.R. 1585 and agree that the inaction of
your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any
future jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in
H.R. 1585 which fall within your Committee's Rule X
jurisdiction.
I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in
the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the
bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this
legislation and look forward to continuing to work with you
as this measure moves through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Jerrold Nadler,
Chairman.
____

House of Representatives,

Committee on Ways and Means,

Washington, DC, March 18, 2019.
Hon. Jerrold Nadler,
Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Nadler: In recognition of the desire to
expedite consideration of H.R. 1585, Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act of 2019, the Committee on Ways and Means
agrees to waive formal consideration of the bill as to
provisions that fall within the rule X jurisdiction of the
Committee on Ways and Means.
The Committee on Ways and Means takes this action with the
mutual understanding that we do not waive any jurisdiction
over the subject matter contained in this or similar
legislation, and the Committee will be appropriately
consulted and involved as the bill or similar legislation
moves forward so that we may address any remaining issues
within our jurisdiction. The Committee also reserves the
right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of
conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this or
similar legislation.
Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter
confirming this understanding, and would ask that a copy of
our exchange of letter on this matter be included in the
Congressional Record during floor consideration of H.R. 1585.
Sincerely,
Richard E. Neal,
Chairman.

[[Page H3005]]

____
House of Representatives,

Committee on the Judiciary,

Washington, DC, March 21, 2019.
Hon. Richard Neal,
Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Neal: I am writing to acknowledge your letter
dated March 18, 2019 responding to our request to your
Committee that it waive any jurisdictional claims over the
matters contained in H.R. 1585, the ``Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act of 2019,'' that fall within your
Committee's Rule X jurisdiction. The Committee on the
Judiciary confirms our mutual understanding that your
Committee does not waive any jurisdiction over the subject
matter contained in this or similar legislation, and your
Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as the
bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may
address any remaining issues within your Committee's
jurisdiction.
I will ensure that this exchange of letters is included in
the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the
bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this
legislation and look forward to continuing to work with you
as this measure moves through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Jerrold Nadler,
Chairman.
____

House of Representatives,

Committee on the Judiciary,

Washington, DC, March 14, 2019.
Hon. Bobby Scott,
Chairman, Committee on Education and Labor, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Scott: I am writing to you concerning H.R.
1585, the ``Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of
2019.''
I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this
legislation. I recognize that the bill contains provisions
that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on
Education and Labor. I acknowledge that your Committee will
not formally consider H.R. 1585 and agree that the inaction
of your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any
future jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in
H.R. 1585 which fall within your Committee's Rule X
jurisdiction.
I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in
the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the
bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this
legislation and look forward to continuing to work with you
as this measure moves through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Jerrold Nadler,
Chairman.
____

Committee on Education and Labor, House of
Representatives,
Washington, DC, March 20, 2019.
Hon. Jerrold Nadler,
Chairman, House Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Nadler: I write concerning H.R. 1585, the
``Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019.'' This
bill was primarily referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
and secondarily to the Committee on Education and Labor. As a
result of your having consulted with me concerning this bill
generally, I agree to forgo consideration of the bill in
Committee so the bill may proceed expeditiously to the House
floor.
The Committee takes this action with our mutual
understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 1585,
we do not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter
contained in this or similar legislation, and we will be,
appropriately consulted and involved as the bill or similar
legislation moves forward so we may address any remaining
issue within our Rule X jurisdiction. Additionally, I
respectfully request your support for the appointment of
conferees from the Committee on Education and Labor should
this bill or similar language be considered in a conference
with the Senate.
Finally, I would appreciate a response confirming this
understanding and ask that a copy of our exchange of letters
on this matter be included in the Congressional Record during
floor consideration of H.R. 1585.
Respectfully,
Robert C. ``Bobby'' Scott,
Chairman.
____

House of Representatives,

Committee on the Judiciary,

Washington, DC, March 21, 2019.
Hon. Bobby Scott,
Chairman, Committee on Education and Labor, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Scott: I am writing to acknowledge your
letter dated March 20, 2019 responding to our request to your
Committee that it waive any jurisdictional claims over the
matters contained in H.R. 1585, the ``Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act of 2019,'' that fall within your
Committee's Rule X jurisdiction. The Committee on the
Judiciary confirms our mutual understanding that your
Committee does not waive any jurisdiction over the subject
matter contained in this or similar legislation, and your
Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as the
bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may
address any remaining issues within your Committee's
jurisdiction.
I will ensure that this exchange of letters is included in
the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the
bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this
legislation and look forward to continuing to work with you
as this measure moves through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Jerrold Nadler,
Chairman.
____

House of Representatives,

Committee on the Judiciary,

Washington, DC, March 14, 2019.
Hon. Raul Grijalva,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Grijalva: I am writing to you concerning H.R.
1585, the ``Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of
2019.''
I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this
legislation. I recognize that the bill contains provisions
that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Natural
Resources. I acknowledge that your Committee will not
formally consider H.R. 1585 and agree that the inaction of
your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any
future jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in
H.R. 1585 which fall within your Committee's Rule X
jurisdiction.
I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in
the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the
bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this
legislation and look forward to continuing to work with you
as this measure moves through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Jerrold Nadler,
Chairman.
____

House of Representatives,

Committee on Natural Resources,

Washington, DC, March 18, 2019.
Hon. Jerrold Nadler,
Chair, Committee on the Judiciary,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chair: I write concerning H.R. 1585, the
``Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019,'' as
amended, which was additionally referred to the Committee on
Natural Resources.
I will allow the Committee on Natural Resources to be
discharged from further consideration of the bill. I do so
with the understanding that the Committee does not waive any
jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in
the bill that fall within its Rule X jurisdiction. I also
request that you support my request to name members of the
Committee on Natural Resources to any conference committee to
consider such provisions. Finally, please include this letter
in the report on the bill and into the Congressional Record
during consideration of the measure on the House floor.
I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation
and look forward to continuing to work with you as this
measure moves through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Raul Grijalva,
Chair, Committee on Natural Resources.
____

House of Representatives,

Committee on the Judiciary,

Washington, DC, March 14, 2019.
Hon. Mark Takano,
Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Takano: I am writing to you concerning H.R.
1585, the ``Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of
2019.''
I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this
legislation. I recognize that the bill contains provisions
that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs. I acknowledge that your Committee will not
formally consider H.R. 1585 and agree that the inaction of
your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any
future jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in
H.R. 1585 which fall within your Committee's Rule X
jurisdiction.
I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in
the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the
bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this
legislation and look forward to continuing to work with you
as this measure moves through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Jerrold Nadler,
Chairman.
____

House of Representatives,

Committee on Veterans' Affairs,

Washington, DC, March 18, 2019.
Hon. Jerrold Nadler,
Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Nadler: I write concerning H.R. 1585, the
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019. As a
result of your having consulted with us on provisions within
H.R. 1585 that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I forego any further
consideration of this bill so that it may proceed
expeditiously to the House floor for consideration.
The Committee on Veterans' Affairs takes this action with
our mutual understanding that by foregoing consideration of
H.R. 1585 at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over
subject matter contained in this or similar legislation and
that our committee

[[Page H3006]]

will be appropriately consulted and involved as this bill or
similar legislation moves forward so that we may address any
remaining issues in our jurisdiction. Further I request your
support for the appointment of conferees from the Committee
on Veterans' Affairs during any House-Senate conference
convened on this or related legislation.
Finally, I ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on
this matter be included in the bill report filed by the
Judiciary Committee, as well as in the Congressional Record
during floor consideration, to memorialize our understanding.
Sincerely,
Mark Takano,
Chairman.

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1585, the Violence
Against Women Reauthorization Act.
Mr. Chair, I support reauthorization of the Violence Against Women
Act. I believe the intent of this legislation is commendable, and many
of the programs it authorizes are critical.
This is a bill that should be and should have broad bipartisan
support. It is a bill that should transcend the political games which
we see too often in Washington, and we should approach it methodically
and wholistically.
Unfortunately, instead of good faith collaboration, my colleagues
across the aisle have doubled down on partisan politics at the expense
of good policy. They have sought, at every turn, to make this bill into
a political weapon rather than a critical resource for victims and
tools to support law enforcement.
I tried to meet with my Democratic colleagues to negotiate a
meaningful reauthorization of VAWA. We tried to engage with other
Members in bipartisan, bicameral negotiations, although our efforts
were rebuffed, and we were handed the flawed bill that is before us
today. My colleagues across the aisle informed us H.R. 1585 would be
the bill. This is particularly unfortunate because this bill is dead on
arrival in the Senate.
There are areas where both sides can agree, areas where we can
strengthen existing law. Instead of seeking out those areas and
negotiating in good faith, they have decided a highly partisan bill
with zero chance of moving forward in the Senate was the best way to
approach reauthorizing crucial VAWA programs.

{time} 1430

Remember, Republicans tried to add a short-term extension of VAWA to
the funding bill in February when Congresswoman Lesko offered it as a
previous question. Democrats blocked this attempt and refused to
include a short-term extension to allow time for meaningful
negotiations to take place.
Mr. Chairman, my colleagues and I want to find a solution that helps
victims, prevents domestic violence, and strengthens programs that
serve vulnerable populations. We stand willing and ready to discuss
ways to do that.
But I cannot and will not support a bill that undermines and
jeopardizes due process; that curtails prosecutorial discretion; that
makes it more difficult for victims in rural areas to find housing;
that could weaken programs for female victims; that could re-victimize
abused women; and that undercuts the Second Amendment rights.
This bill contains a large expansion of unemployment insurance
benefits, which amounts to a new tax on employers. This bill continues
to expand the focus of programs past women and children; and this bill
fails to provide a faith-based exemption for grant recipients, which
could jeopardize these organizations' ability to provide services for
victims.
Mr. Chairman, this legislation was referred to seven committees. The
bill was rushed to markup at the Judiciary Committee, but at least
Judiciary actually had a markup. Even though the rushed markup ended in
a party-line vote, that markup is far more than the Democrats gave the
other committees of jurisdiction.
The Ways and Means Committee is the committee with expertise in
unemployment insurance benefits, but if you are on that committee,
Democrats denied you the chance to weigh in on that issue at committee,
and Americans didn't get to benefit from your expertise there.
The Financial Services Committee is the committee with expertise on
housing issues. But if you are on that committee, you were shut down as
well; this bill moving ahead without the benefit of your consideration.
Democrats also denied the Natural Resources, Education and Labor,
Veterans' Affairs, and Energy and Commerce Committees the chance to
weigh in on a bill with provisions that sit squarely within their
jurisdiction.
I want to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. I want to do it
in a way that meets the fundamental goals and intent of the original
law, and I want to recognize changes that need to be addressed.
Simply put, I want to find a bipartisan, bicameral agreement that
Democrats shunned when they rushed this bill to the floor. This bill
could actually put women at greater risk in some of the programs it
authorizes, and it is not a solution that I can support.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Florida (Mrs. Demings), the vice-chair of the Crime, Terrorism, and
Homeland Security Subcommittee.
Mrs. DEMINGS. Mr. Chairman, some of the hardest calls law enforcement
officers take are intimate partner violence calls. These situations are
heartbreaking, volatile, dangerous, and far too commonplace. Domestic
violence affects every community and crosses all racial and
socioeconomic lines. It is heartbreaking and even more tragic because
domestic violence is often preventable. That is the purpose of the
Violence Against Women Act.
One in five homicides in Florida is a result of domestic violence. In
2016, over 100,000 domestic violence incidents were reported to police
in Florida. Since I began my remarks, three women have been beaten,
battered, or murdered.
Mr. Chairman, these calls are extremely dangerous for everyone
involved. When law enforcement responds to these calls, they too are
put at great risk. In 2017, more officers were shot responding to
domestic violence calls than any other type of call.
All too often, it is a first responder, family member, neighbor, or
other loved one who is killed in a domestic violence incident. In fact,
these deaths make up 1 of 5 domestic violence homicide victims.
We have to train, equip, and empower law enforcement, healthcare
providers, and other responders to address intimate partner violence.
These programs have already proven effective.
Grantees funded by VAWA have trained nearly 90,000 law enforcement
officers in best practices and techniques to handle these sensitive
situations. But the VAWA reauthorization is not just about continuing
these successful programs. It also makes additional improvements which
will save lives of victims and responders.
Nationwide, the presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation
makes it five times more likely that someone will be killed.
The VAWA reauthorization will help law enforcement disarm dangerous
people and convicted felons, create new notification systems for law
enforcement, address the so-called ``boyfriend loophole'' that lets
non-married but dangerous partners get weapons.
The Violence Against Women Act reauthorization is a critical step to
our efforts to protect these Americans; and I urge my colleagues to
support this critical and necessary legislation.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Lesko).
Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Chairman, I am a survivor of domestic violence from a
previous marriage. I serve on the advisory council of a domestic
violence shelter in my district. I am the co-chairwoman of the Working
Group Against Domestic Violence in Congress.
So if you haven't figured it out, this issue is very important to me
and I want to protect women.
Another role I have is, I am co-chairwoman of the Congressional
Women's Caucus. And in that, I spoke with my Democratic colleague, and
she knew it was an important issue to me, it was an important issue to
her, and we really had talked about having a bipartisan approach that
all women and all of us could vote on that we would agree on.

So once I found out that Representative Bass was going to be the
sponsor of the bill, I reached out to her office.

[[Page H3007]]

We were trying to--we just never were able to get together before the
Judiciary Committee markup on the bill, in the attempt to talk with
her, to see if she would listen to my concerns.
Then, in the Judiciary Committee, I offered an amendment that
basically would make sure that domestic violence shelters could protect
the victims and keep their privacy private. And that amendment was
rejected, and I was told that it was too broad, and those types of
things.
So in that Judiciary Committee hearing I asked Representative Bass if
she would be agreeable to meeting with me, so I could work with her to
do an amendment in a bipartisan fashion to protect women and children,
and she said absolutely, yes. And, again, I reached out to her office
on at least two occasions and never got a response.
So I have really tried to work on this in a bipartisan fashion,
because there are some concerns I have. And let me tell you the reason
why I am going to vote ``no'' on this bill, even though I am a survivor
of domestic violence.
First of all, the bill forces domestic violence shelters, under
penalty of Federal law, this law, to house biological males in with
women. And often these women have been abused themselves, and they may
not--this may violate their privacy, and it may have risks.
The second reason is this bill forces prisons to take in biological
males, under penalty of Federal law, and put them in women's prisons.
In the United Kingdom this happened, and a male identifying as a woman
was placed in a woman's prison and ended up raping women.
The third reason is this bill takes away gun rights.
The CHAIR. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. I yield the gentlewoman from Arizona as much
time as she may consume.
Mrs. LESKO. This bill, thirdly, also takes away gun rights in 2
cases: One with ex parte orders of protection; that is when a woman,
like myself, would go in to see a Justice of the Peace; we would get an
order of protection. Under this bill, the perpetrator's gun rights
would be taken away, even though they weren't there in court.
Also, it would take away someone's gun rights if they were convicted
of a misdemeanor, which is very rare.
So, again, I don't think this bill is going to get heard in the U.S.
Senate, which, I hope that my friends on the other side of the aisle--
this is an important issue to all of us, and I hope that we can work
together so it is something that I can support, something that we all
can support, because it is a really important issue.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman
from Michigan (Mrs. Dingell).
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Chair, I rise to discuss the urgent need for
Congress to update the Violence Against Women Act and the lifesaving
programs it supports.
I have a great deal of respect for my co-chair of the Domestic
Violence Task Force, but we disagree very strongly on what this bill
does.
No woman, no child, and no family should fear for their life because
of domestic violence. Without updates and support for the critical
programs in VAWA, we are moving backwards. Good programs that are there
to help victims are now threatened, and it is one more stress being
added on to the pile of these victims, and one more fear that we just
add to them.
In one 24-hour period in Michigan, domestic violence programs
answered 408 hotline calls of people in immediate danger, and served
2,359 victims with emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling,
and legal advice.
The bill before us today is landmark legislation that will respond to
our Nation's crisis of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual
assault, and stalking. It will equip our State and local partners to
provide compassionate care and support to women, families, and, yes,
men, too. We need to admit that sometimes they are victims who need to
rebuild their lives and heal.
VAWA also includes my Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers to close
the loopholes that make it easy for domestic abusers and stalkers to
purchase weapons without passing a background check.
This isn't a poison pill. This will save a life. Shouldn't we be
doing that?
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I yield as much time as she may
consume to the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Miller).
Mrs. MILLER. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to speak against H.R. 1585. I
stand before you as a woman, a wife, a mother, and a grandmother. I
represent a State where one in three women experience domestic
violence. This is a scourge on our society and must stop.
The Violence Against Women Act should have one clear goal, to protect
women from domestic abuse. Any solution put forward must provide law
enforcement and the justice system with the tools to do this to the
best of their ability, and to keep this objective free from partisan
manipulation, dilution of resources, or political games. Unfortunately,
this bill does not do that.
My Republican colleagues, under the leadership of Ranking Member
Collins and Mrs. Lesko, who has been a recipient of domestic violence,
have sought to come together with our friends across the aisle to find
a bipartisan solution to help women, to no avail.
Now is not the time to play politics. This is an issue where we can
and should find common ground. It is not the time to hold the safety of
women as a bargaining chip against infringements on religious liberty
or weakening of the Second Amendment. We can and must do better.
I urge my colleagues to vote against this legislation and come
together to pass a bill that protects women, instead of trying to use
it as a political pawn.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline), a distinguished member of the Judiciary
Committee.

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Chairman, I am a proud sponsor of the Violence
Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019.
Violence against women is one of our country's greatest shames. For
over 20 years, VAWA has provided critical protections for survivors of
violence, while also helping them rebuild their lives.
VAWA grants help survivors to access vital resources such as legal
assistance, safe housing, and counseling. VAWA also facilitates
important partnerships between advocates, law enforcement, and the
courts, which further helps survivors in times of crisis and reduces
future violence.
In 2018 alone, because of VAWA grants, the Rhode Island Coalition
Against Domestic Violence served over 8,500 individual victims of
domestic violence, assisted over 2,900 victims in obtaining a
restraining order, and answered over 13,000 crisis line calls.
H.R. 1585 improves upon VAWA by prohibiting persons convicted of
dating violence or misdemeanor stalking from possessing firearms. And
let's be honest. This is the principal objection of my colleagues on
the other side of the aisle, because the powerful gun lobby is scoring
this bill because of that provision.
This bill protects employees from being fired because they are
survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence and ensures survivors'
eligibility to receive unemployment insurance.

{time} 1445

Survivors of violence and their families cannot wait any longer as
VAWA continues to stay lapsed.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this bill in a bipartisan
way so that the American people can see action by Congress, Republicans
and Democrats who are standing up, loudly condemning violence against
women, and reauthorizing VAWA in a new and improved way so that we can
really take on the issue of domestic violence and all the pernicious
consequences of violence against women in this country.
Stand up to the gun lobby. Do what is right for women in America.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I yield as much time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert).
Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Chair, I rise out of concern for violence that has
been done against women.
As someone who has prosecuted such things and has sentenced many men
to prison for such things, I want to be part of the solution toward
mitigating and stopping the violence against women, but I can't vote
for this bill in its current form when politics, as my friends have
said, have been played with it here, because I have heard the

[[Page H3008]]

testimony repeatedly, as a judge, from experts.
I have read the studies. The literature, psychiatric literature,
indicates that the studies show that women who have been through sexual
assault are more likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder
than even soldiers, on a percentage basis.
One of the things that can trigger the trauma coming back is a man
coming into a confined space like a restroom, like a dressing room,
like a battered women's shelter, and they are living it again.
Why would we do that? Why would we have a bill that forces that kind
of trauma back on women who have been through enough?
This bill, in the name of equality, says women are not going to be
able to have a safe place from biological men. No. We are going to
force them, and under this bill, there will be lawsuits. A homeless
shelter, a shelter for battered women, and it is shocking how much of
this still goes on, but they will be subject to lawsuits if this bill
becomes law.
You will have people, the government with all its power, forcing
shelters for battered women to accept biological men, no matter how
traumatic it is for the women who have suffered domestic abuse from
men, sexual assault from men.
For heaven's sake, can't we compromise in the name of really helping
women?
I understand the concern from my colleagues across the aisle is that
we don't want to hurt the feelings of someone who is biologically a man
who thinks they are a woman. We don't want to hurt their feelings;
therefore, it is worth the risk of all the trauma that will be relived
by women by forcing men into those confined situations. There are other
alternatives instead of making women suffer more than they already
have.
This Violence Against Women Act, the way it is currently written in
its current form, will do additional violence to women. It is something
that I just can't support.
Mr. Chair, I wish my friends would worry about the concerns for men
who think they are women and suffering from gender dysphoria in some
other bill. Let's use this one to protect women.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
Georgia (Mrs. McBath), a distinguished member of the Judiciary
Committee.
Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Chairman, I will be short and to the point.
The number one way that women in America are being killed by their
intimate partners is with a gun. We cannot address the epidemic of
gender-based violence without addressing gun violence.
The NRA sees it differently. They don't want us to close the
boyfriend loophole. They don't want to keep firearms out of the hands
of those whose actions show that they are a threat. Their solution to
gun violence is by arming women, selling more guns, even though we know
that this would make women less safe.
Nearly 1 million American women alive today have been shot or shot at
by an intimate partner. They deserve better.
Mr. Chair, I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' to reauthorize the
Violence Against Women Act for those we have lost, for those who have
survived, and for the safety of all Americans.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
Virginia (Ms. Wexton).
Ms. WEXTON. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Chair, as a former domestic violence prosecutor and advocate for
abused women, I have seen firsthand the impact of the Violence Against
Women Act's legal protections and survivor support services. Because of
this law, survivors can access a national hotline, a network of
shelters, and get protection orders that carry across State lines.
The bill before us today will close the boyfriend loophole by
stopping abusers and stalkers from obtaining firearms.
The NRA thinks this language is too broad. They are wrong. When women
are five times more likely to be murdered if there is a gun present in
the household, it is clear that gun violence is a women's issue.
We have made important progress, but we can't let up, not when a
woman is murdered by a male intimate partner with a gun every 16 hours.
This bill tells survivors: You are not alone. You will always have a
place to go. You will always have people on your side.
Most importantly, it will save lives.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support it.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman
from New Mexico (Mr. Lujan), the assistant Democratic leader.

Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Chair, I want to share a story of one of my
constituents, Rayen. Her story is hard to hear, but we cannot tune it
out.
When Rayen first reached out for protection, her partner, Daniel, had
struck her with a wrench, raped her, and strangled her to the point of
unconsciousness. But Tribal police had little jurisdiction over Daniel,
who is not Native American. They were forced to turn the case over to
Federal prosecutors.
Next, Rayen went missing. Her body was found several weeks later,
beaten and strangled.
Rayen's story is representative of the violence women, especially
Native women, face every day. This violence is an epidemic in our
country. Native women are 10 times more likely to be murdered than any
other ethnicity.
We need to act. The Violence Against Women Act is a pillar of our
Federal response to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence,
and stalking.
Passage of H.R. 1585 will ensure that every survivor of domestic
violence is given the protection they need to rebuild their lives after
experiencing violence.
Mr. Chair, please join me in voting for this legislation in memory of
Rayen and in memory of all the women who have faced domestic violence
and assault.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman
from Maryland (Mr. Brown).
Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Mr. Chairman, I am a cosponsor of the Violence
Against Women Act, and I believe that this is the most important bill
that this Congress will pass to protect thousands of women against
violence and demonstrate that we value the dignity of every human
being.
I was proud to work with the committee to close three potentially
fatal loopholes that allow abusers to possess firearms.
We closed the stalking loophole by treating stalking similarly to
other domestic violence crimes. Currently, 76 percent of women who are
murdered by their partner were first stalked.
We closed the dating partner loophole by expanding restrictions on
dating partners convicted of domestic violence from buying a gun.
We closed the temporary restraining order loophole by prohibiting an
abuser from getting their hands on a gun when a court issues a
temporary order, because this is when an abuser is most likely to lash
out and retaliate.
When domestic violence kills three women a day, we have a moral
responsibility to act.
Mr. Chairman, we cannot let the gun lobby scare us into putting their
interests above the lives of thousands of Americans. We must
reauthorize VAWA now with these increased protections.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Bass), the chair of the Crime, Terrorism and Homeland
Security Subcommittee and the sponsor of this legislation.
Ms. BASS. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 1585, the Violence
Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019.
This bipartisan measure was introduced by myself and my colleague,
Mr. Fitzpatrick, the gentleman from Pennsylvania. Several other Members
have supported this effort and were inadvertently left off the sponsor
list due to a clerical error. To remedy that, I will furnish a separate
statement for the Record that includes those names, respectively.
H.R. 1585 will reauthorize the VAWA of 1994, a landmark piece of
legislation

[[Page H3009]]

first enacted and signed into law by President Clinton in 1994. This
was a direct response to the epidemic of violence against women that
plagued our country at that time.
While we have made significant progress, we still have much to do.
It is estimated that more than 2 million adults and more than 15
million children are exposed to domestic violence annually. These
alarming figures make it imperative that we reauthorize VAWA now.
We concluded our celebration of Women's History Month in March, but
our job to protect women is not complete.
Movements like #MeToo across this country demand Congress' attention
to better deal with the gaping holes left unfilled in current law
around the issues of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual
assault, harassment, and stalking.
The VAWA efforts will have the same profound effect on a victim
survivor and their families no matter one's party affiliation. Hence,
these are human problems, period.

This is our opportunity to respond to the basic needs of victims and
survivors everywhere, absent discrimination based on their race, sex,
religion, or nationality.
That is why this law has been reauthorized three times since
enactment, in 2000, 2005, and 2013, with strong bipartisan approval and
overwhelming support from Congress, States, and local communities.
H.R. 1585 continues that tradition, which reflects a reasonable and
compromised approach to reauthorize grant programs under VAWA. For
example, this bill includes various pieces of bipartisan legislation,
Republican amendments from our committee markup, and Republican
amendments through the rules process.
H.R. 1585 is intended to make modifications, as Congress has done in
the past to all previous reauthorizations of VAWA.
For example, in South Los Angeles, part of my district, the Jenesse
Center helps hundreds of people every year. VAWA funding has supported
the growth of Jenesse's legal department, which provides direct legal
services that not only assist survivors in securing immediate safety,
but also helps them achieve long-term goals of stability and self-
sufficiency.
VAWA funding is integral to Jenesse's transitional, or bridge,
housing program for survivors. After overcoming the initial crisis
phase, people need space and time to rebuild family bonds, secure
education and vocational training, and receive the mental health
counseling needed to heal from trauma.
H.R. 1585 is inclusive, sensible, and responsive.
The CHAIR. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Bass).
Ms. BASS. Mr. Chair, this bill is about preventing and responding to
domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. That
is why I urge my colleagues to exert courage and stand with victims by
supporting this bill.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

{time} 1500

Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Kildee).
Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend for yielding.
Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act. This is a persistent crisis in our country that
requires Congress to act.
While a lot of progress has been made since VAWA was first passed in
1994, too many women still face violence. According to the National
Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in three women will experience
some form of physical violence in their lifetime.
Protecting women from violence has been, and should always be, a
bipartisan issue. In 1994, Republicans and Democrats came together to
pass VAWA. Since then, this act has been reauthorized three times,
including in 2013, just after I became a Member of this body.
Because of this law, victims of domestic violence, dating violence,
sexual assault, and stalking have been able to access support, as well,
while offenders have been held more accountable by our criminal justice
system.
Since VAWA first passed, the rate of intimate partner violence
declined by 67 percent. This law works, and we can strengthen it with
this action.
Mr. Chairman, I am proud to be a cosponsor of the Grijalva amendment
No. 13, which deals with some of the issues we see in Tribal
communities. This is an important bill, and I urge all of my colleagues
to support it.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman
from California (Ms. Speier).
Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman of the Judiciary
Committee for yielding.
Mr. Chairman, today, I stand here in proud support of the bipartisan
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, which includes my
bill, the Closing the Law Enforcement Consent Loophole Act.
I introduced this bill when I read a shocking article last year about
a teenager in New York who was raped by two police officers while in
their custody in the back of an unmarked police vehicle. When she
reported the rape, a loophole in New York State law allowed the
officers to claim she consented to having sex with them, despite the
fact that she was handcuffed and under their control.
I was appalled to learn about this and was concerned that that was a
legitimate defense, at that time, in New York, and it remains an
acceptable defense in 30 other States and for Federal law enforcement
officers.
My bill has now been included in VAWA and will no longer allow for
Federal law enforcement officers to use that consent defense as well.
There are also financial incentives for the 30 States that need to
close their loopholes by providing additional VAWA grant funds to
States that pass similar legislation.
Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to protect the safety of our
women. Closing this loophole puts us one step closer to achieving that
safety.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve the
balance of my time
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
Michigan (Mrs. Lawrence), a co-chair of the Bipartisan Women's Caucus.
Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Chairman, today, I rise in support of H.R. 1585,
the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019.
I would like to first thank Representative Karen Bass, the sponsor of
this legislation, for her support of this issue.
As important as the successes of this bill have been, they are at
times insufficient. Every day, an average of three women are killed by
a current or former intimate partner. Every year, 7.9 million women are
victims of stalking, rape, or physical violence by an intimate partner.
The bill before us today provides important updates to the Violence
Against Women Act that improves services for victims of domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Mr. Chairman, as co-chair of the Bipartisan Women's Caucus and as co-
chair of the Democratic Women's Caucus, I strongly urge my colleagues,
on both sides of the aisle, to support this passage of legislation.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Collins and I have been working on any number of issues dealing
with criminal justice reform, and certainly we have spent the last
couple of years on the Judiciary Committee. He may not recall, but
working with our chairman in the last session of Congress, who
acknowledged that the Judiciary Committee had many opportunities to
work together--and I totally agree--one of those issues was, of course,
the Violence Against Women Act. We engaged with the staff quite
extensively because we wanted this to be a bipartisan bill.
So, for a 3-year period, we engaged, I engaged, many women of this
Congress

[[Page H3010]]

engaged, and we think we have come up with a product that recognizes
that, as we speak here today, there are women who are dying from
domestic violence. As we stand here today, law enforcement will tell
you that the most difficult, or one of the most difficult, calls they
have to make is a domestic violence call.
Maybe it is like my constituent, Candice, whose bill I introduced,
who was laying in the bed with a little baby and her other children
were moving around the house, and a significant other--a husband, a
boyfriend--took his gun and killed Candice while that baby was lying
next to her. The little children had to hear that, and they were
scurrying. They had to run to another house to try to get help for
mommy.
You see, ladies and gentlemen, this is not about a score of the
National Rifle Association, because this is not a gun bill, this is a
lifesaving bill. This is a bill that a Republican from Pennsylvania,
Mr. Fitzpatrick, put a health provision in, he expanded the Public
Health Service Act.
The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Carson of Indiana). The time of the gentlewoman
has expired.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, I yield an additional 1 minute to the
gentlewoman from Texas.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. His bill will allow more services to come for those
children and those survivors of domestic violence, it will expand the
capacity of early childhood programs to address domestic violence,
dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. It will put in $291
million, so that date rape kits, DNA kits, will not be backlogged, so
that law enforcement will have resources, and so that prosecutors will
have resources.
Candice cannot be brought back. And we introduced that bill at a time
when no one wanted to see anything having to do with protecting us from
guns. Now we have a statement that respects Candice's life by
indicating that if you have been convicted, you need not have a gun
around your family, it should be in a lockbox.
What more can we do to be fair and balanced and draw bipartisan
support, even to the extent of joining with my friend from Texas to
have a bill amendment that deals with female genital mutilation.
We have worked hard. This bill deserves 100 percent support of this
Congress, because while we talk lives are being lost.
Mr. Chairman, I ask my friends to support the legislation that we are
debating, H.R. 1585.
Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act of 2019.
The Violence Against Women Act (``VAWA'') is landmark legislation
which--through policy reforms, interstate cooperation and grant
allocation--has been pivotal in providing a national response to
protecting half of the population.
Equally important, it has ushered in a seismic transformation on how
society perceives violence against women.
The law has enhanced and improved the lives of girls and women, boys
and men.
There are many similarities between the year that VAWA initially
passed in 1994, and the moment in which we all find ourselves today.
When it was first passed, the country was experiencing reverberations
to yet another polarizing battle to fill a seat on the Supreme Court.
Then the courageous victim sharing her truth was Anita Hill.
Today, as VAWA is yet again scheduled to expire, the country is
assessing the ripples created by the #MeToo movement.
But despite the passage of over a quarter-century since its first
enactment, the malignant treatment received by a courageous person
willing to share her story unfortunately endures.
The need to create a safe space for victims of violence, especially
women, supported with substantial resources to address this scourge has
taken on a new urgency in this era of the #MeToo movement.
When discussing VAWA, we cannot forget the victims of domestic
violence like Brittany Smith, who was 23 years old and was gunned down
last year in Houston, by her boyfriend and San Diego-based Marine; nor
can we forget Charlene Caldwell, a mother and grandmother beaten to
death last year by a baseball bat at the hands of her boyfriend in
Houston.
Domestic violence was alleged in both of these horrific events.
Unfortunately, there are too many stories like Charlene's or
Brittany's.
The stories of these two women remind us of the urgency to protect
survivors NOW, before it is too late, because many of these deaths are
preventable.
Despite the experiences of #MeToo survivors or victims like Ms. Smith
or Ms. Caldwell, all is not for naught.
Since VAWA's codification in 1994, more victims report episodes of
domestic violence to the police and the rate of non-fatal intimate
partner violence against women has decreased by almost two-thirds.
VAWA has also led to a significant increase in the reporting of
sexual assault.
For example, the percentage of victims of rape and sexual assault who
report the assault to the police increased from 28.8 percent in 1993--
the year prior to VAWA's initial passage--to 50 percent in 2010.
In the first 15 years of VAWA's validity, rates of serious intimate
partner violence declined by 72 percent for women and 64 percent for
men.
Research suggests that referring a victim to a domestic violence or
sexual assault advocate has been linked to an increased willingness to
file a police report--survivors with an advocate filed a report with
law enforcement 59 percent of the time, versus 41 percent for
individuals not referred to a victim advocate.
This progress cannot be allowed to stop.
Congress must continue sending the clear message that violence
against women is unacceptable.
Prior to VAWA, law enforcement lacked the resources and tools to
respond effectively to domestic violence and sexual assault.
Each reauthorization of VAWA has improved protections for women and
men, while helping to change the culture and reduce the tolerance for
these crimes.
The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 improves
current law in several important respects, and takes a holistic
approach to the goal of eliminating the harm faced by victims of
violence, and making vital services accessible to victims of this
scourge.
For example, this iteration of VAWA contains guidance on the use of
grants to activate judicial and law enforcement tools to develop and
enforce firearm surrender policies; expands permissible use of grant
funding for programs focused on increasing survivor/law enforcement/
community safety; and provides legal assistance for dependent children
in appropriate circumstances.

It also updates programs designed to reduce dating violence, help
children exposed to violence and engage men in preventing violence
against women.
Additionally, the bill improves services for victims of domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
It provides policies, protection, and justice for young victims of
violence, including extending the Rape Prevention and Education grant
program, addressing bullying of young people, improving grants focused
on prevention education for students, and expanding relevant training
for school-based and campus health centers; and reauthorizes and
updates programs designed to reduce dating violence, help children
exposed to violence, and engage men in preventing violence.
This bill also recognizes the cascading ills associated with
identifying, eliminating, and preventing the reemergence of domestic
violence.
This bill expands grants under the Public Health Service Act to
support implementation of training programs to improve the capacity of
early childhood programs to address domestic violence, dating violence,
sexual assault, and stalking among the families they serve; preserves
and expands housing protections for survivors; provides economic
security assistance for survivors, by reauthorizing the National
Resource Center on Workplace Responses; protects employees from being
fired because they are survivors of sexual assault or domestic
violence; and protects survivors' eligibility to receive Unemployment
Insurance.
Recognizing that many women are victimized at the hands of intimate
partners, this iteration of VAWA helps prevent ``intimate partner''
homicides, by including provisions expanding firearms laws to prohibit
persons convicted of dating violence from possessing firearms,
prohibiting persons convicted of misdemeanor stalking from possessing
firearms, and prohibiting individuals subject to ex parte protective
orders from possessing firearms.
Accordingly, the bill helps protect Native American women, by
including provisions to improve the response to missing and murdered
Native American women, improving tribal access to federal crime
information databases, and reaffirming tribal criminal jurisdiction
over non-Indian perpetrators of domestic violence, sexual assault,
dating violence, stalking, and trafficking for all federally recognized
Indian tribes and Alaskan Natives.
Additionally, this bill protects the Office on Violence Against Women
in the Department of Justice from being de-emphasized, merged, or
consolidated into any other DOJ office.
VAWA is central to our nation's effort to fight the epidemic of
domestic, sexual, and dating violence and stalking.

[[Page H3011]]

This work did not happen on its own.
It was the product of a collaborative effort of stakeholders,
including victim advocates.
It was the product of those willing to share their stories of the
abuse suffered at the hands of those who were entrusted to love, but
instead harmed.
The courage, strength, and resilience displayed by survivors has
reminded all that we must continue to foster an environment for victims
of violence to come forward and expose episodes of violence against
women.
This bill represents the good that can come when courageous people
with a story to tell come forward with the belief that through their
pain, the lives of others can be helped.
Having listened to concerned stakeholders from all pockets of the
country, we have put pen to paper and produced a bill that is endorsed
by the bipartisan National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic
Violence (NTF), which is a national collaboration comprising a large
and diverse group of 35 national, tribal, state, territorial, and local
organizations, advocates, and individuals that focus on the
development, passage and implementation of effective public policy to
address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and
stalking.
Indeed, there is no reason our work on this cannot be bipartisan, as
has been the custom of prior Congresses in authorizing this critical
piece of legislation.
The love for a spouse, the comfort of a mother and the best wishes
for a sister know no political allegiance.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the distinguished majority leader.
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Chairman, I want to thank all of those who have been involved in
getting this to the floor. This bill is a critically important bill
and, unfortunately, its authorization expired last year. It is timely
that we bring it to the floor. I am hopeful that it passes.
Mr. Chairman, I was proud to be a cosponsor of the original Violence
Against Women Act in 1994. It passed on a bipartisan vote in the House.
It was reauthorized in 2000 with a vote--and everybody ought to note
this--that passed 371-1. And in 2005, it was reauthorized and passed
415-4 and signed, of course, by President Bush.
Democrats fought hard to expand the law's protections to immigrant
women, Native Americans, and LGBT people, and we did so in 2013 with
bipartisan support once more. We want to protect all of our women,
whatever their particular difference.
I was disappointed that the law's authorization expired at the end of
fiscal year 2018. It is critical that we enact a long-term
reauthorization of the law without further delay in order to provide
that certainty that another short-term extension cannot.
This legislation was introduced by Representative Karen Bass. It is a
5-year reauthorization. The gentlewoman from Texas, who just spoke, Ms.
Jackson Lee, did a lot of work on this bill in the Judiciary Committee
as well. I thank her for her leadership in this effort.
Her bill--and I speak of Congresswoman Bass--would improve on current
law by expanding existing grants that make communities safer and
protect vulnerable populations, including Native American women.
Why wouldn't we do that? I can't think of a reason.
It would also improve economic assistance and security for survivors
struggling with unemployment or financial hardship due to an abusive
relationship to which they had been exposed.
It would also ensure that the Department of Justice's Office on
Violence Against Women remains open and is not merged into another
office or de-emphasized.
And, very importantly, the bill closes loopholes in gun laws to help
prevent intimate partner homicides, an all too frequent happening.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, on
average, nearly 20 people every minute are physically abused by an
intimate partner in the United States. That is a tragedy and a crisis.
One in four women experience severe intimate partner physical
violence. And one in seven have been stalked by an intimate partner to
the point at which she felt very fearful or believed that she, or
someone close to her, would be harmed or killed.
The presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the
risk of homicide by 500 percent. That is why we aim to close gun
loopholes by expanding the definition of intimate partners to include
dating or former dating partners.
It is also why this bill has language preventing anybody convicted of
a misdemeanor crime of stalking from obtaining a gun.
I am deeply disappointed that some Republican Members of this House
are using the NRA as cover to vote against this reauthorization which
has been overwhelmingly, in a bipartisan fashion, reauthorized over and
over again.
These are commonsense protections that prevent domestic abusers from
obtaining the guns that have, sadly, been used so frequently to harm or
kill their partners.
Mr Chairman, I urge every Member to vote for this reauthorization.
Let's make this renewal of the Violence Against Women Act as strongly
bipartisan as the House's support for the law used to be. Let's send a
resounding message that the House stands with the victims and survivors
and law enforcement and will do its job to help them and to prevent
domestic violence and abuse, which have no place in our society, but
are, tragically, too often, perpetrated in our country.
Mr. Chairman, let's make it safer for women, for families, and for
the children they care for. Let's pass this bill. Let's reauthorize the
Violence Against Women Act.

{time} 1515

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I have no other speakers, and I
yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Chairman, really, in closing, I would just reiterate the points
that I have made.
We are looking forward to a bipartisan, bicameral bill that we do
believe will come back eventually. The Senate has said this.
There are many things, and I think the distinguished majority leader
made it very clear. I think it was interesting that he said, why did
this become a bill that was not--it should be as bipartisan as it
should be. I think it is because of stuff that we did not talk about
that had been added into this, which makes it much larger than what the
bill actually should be about, and focused on those areas.
We can disagree about a lot of things, but I think, in this one, all
of us want to make sure that the Violence Against Women Act is
reauthorized in a way that does promote the very ideals of the original
law, and we would continue to do that.
We look forward to a day in which this body can debate that bill. At
this time, we cannot, because this bill does not feel like many of our
Members may vote for it. They may vote against. But I think, at the end
of the day, there will be a better product coming. I am looking forward
to that.
I appreciate the hard work by both sides, but I do believe there is a
better outcome and alternative, a bipartisan, bicameral bill in the
future.
Mr. Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote on this bill, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, every year approximately 7.9 million women
are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate
partner. An average of three women are killed every day by a current or
former intimate partner.
These grim statistics underscore the crucial need for us to act
without delay to reauthorize VAWA and to enhance and expand the act so
that it is even more effective than it has proven to be in the past.
The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 is
comprehensive and inclusive legislation that I hope will earn
bipartisan support in the long tradition of this important law.
Therefore, I urge my colleagues to join with me in voting for this
critical legislation today.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. BASS. Mr. Chair, a number of my colleagues who requested to be
added as a cosponsor to H.R. 1585, the ``Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act of 2019'' were not listed as cosponsors due to a
clerical error.
I wish to thank all my colleagues for their enduring support of VAWA.
The

[[Page H3012]]

reauthorization of VAWA is vital for domestic violence survivors. VAWA
is a landmark piece of legislation first enacted in 1994 and signed
into law by President Bill Clinton as part of the Violent Crime Control
and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.
This legislation was enacted in response to the prevalence of
domestic and sexual violence, and the significant impact of such
violence on the lives of women. It is estimated that more than two
million adults and more than 15 million children are exposed to
domestic violence annually. VAWA provides essential resources to those
who need it most, which is why this piece of legislation is so
essential.
For the record, the following Members have expressed their support
for H.R. 1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019''
and would have been added as a cosponsor to H.R. 1585 but for a
clerical error.
Colin Allred
Ami Bera
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.
G.K. Butterfield
Andre Carson
Matt Cartwright
Joaquin Castro
Emanuel Cleaver
Gerald Connolly
Jim Costa
TJ Cox
Charlie Crist
Sharice Davids
Danny K. Davis
Rosa DeLauro
Mark DeSaulnier
Theodore E. Deutch
Michael F. Doyle
Eliot Engel
Dwight Evans
Abby Finkenauer
Jimmy Gomez
Alcee L. Hastings
Jahana Hayes
Kendra S. Horn
Hakeem Jeffries
Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr.
Marcy Kaptur
Daniel T. Kildee
John Larson
Al Lawson
Barbara Lee
Mike Levin
John Lewis
Ted Lieu
Nita M. Lowey
Ben Ray Lujan
Elaine G. Luria
Tom Malinowski
Stephanie N. Murphy
Richard E. Neal
Joe Neguse
Michael San Nicolas
Donald Norcross
Bill Pascrell, Jr.
Ed Perlmutter
Scott Peters
Dean Phillips
Mark Pocan
David E. Price
Harley Rouda
Raul Ruiz
Bobby Rush
Mary Gay Scanlon
Robert C. ``Bobby'' Scott
Brad Sherman
Mikie Sherrill
Darren Soto
Abigail Davis Spanberger
Mark Takano
Bennie G. Thompson
Rashida Tlaib
Norma J. Torres
Xochitl Torres Small
Marc A. Veasey
The Acting CHAIR. All time for general debate has expired.
In lieu of the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by
the Committee on the Judiciary, printed in the bill, it shall be
considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the
5-minute rule an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of
the text of Rules Committee Print 116-9 modified by the amendment
printed in part A of House Report 116-32. That amendment in the nature
of a substitute shall be considered as read.
The text of the amendment in the nature of a substitute is as
follows:

H.R. 1585

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Violence
Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Universal definitions and grant conditions.
Sec. 3. Reporting on female genital mutilation, female genital cutting,
or female circumcision.

TITLE I--ENHANCING LEGAL TOOLS TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING
VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING

Sec. 101. Stop grants.
Sec. 102. Grants to improve the criminal justice response.
Sec. 103. Legal assistance for victims.
Sec. 104. Grants to support families in the justice system.
Sec. 105. Outreach and services to underserved populations grants.
Sec. 106. Criminal provisions.
Sec. 107. Rape survivor child custody.

TITLE II--IMPROVING SERVICES FOR VICTIMS

Sec. 201. Sexual assault services program.
Sec. 202. Rural domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault,
stalking, and child abuse enforcement assistance program.
Sec. 203. Training and services to end violence against people with
disabilities.
Sec. 204. Training and services to end abuse in later life.

TITLE III--SERVICES, PROTECTION, AND JUSTICE FOR YOUNG VICTIMS

Sec. 301. Rape prevention and education grant.
Sec. 302. Creating hope through outreach, options, services, and
education (CHOOSE) for children and youth.
Sec. 303. Grants to combat violent crimes on campuses.
Sec. 304. Combat online predators.

TITLE IV--VIOLENCE REDUCTION PRACTICES

Sec. 401. Study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
Sec. 402. Saving Money and Reducing Tragedies (SMART) through
Prevention grants.

TITLE V--STRENGTHENING THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS RESPONSE

Sec. 501. Grants to strengthen the healthcare systems response to
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and
stalking.

TITLE VI--SAFE HOMES FOR VICTIMS

Sec. 601. Housing protections for victims of domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Sec. 602. Ensuring compliance and implementation; prohibiting
retaliation against victims.
Sec. 603. Protecting the right to report crime from one's home.
Sec. 604. Transitional housing assistance grants for victims of
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or
stalking.
Sec. 605. Addressing the housing needs of victims of domestic violence,
dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Sec. 606. United States Housing Act of 1937 amendments.

TITLE VII--ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR VICTIMS

Sec. 701. Findings.
Sec. 702. National Resource Center on workplace responses to assist
victims of domestic and sexual violence.
Sec. 703. Entitlement to unemployment compensation for victims of
sexual and other harassment and survivors of domestic
violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
Sec. 704. Study and reports on barriers to survivors' economic security
access.
Sec. 705. GAO Study.
Sec. 706. Education and information programs for survivors.
Sec. 707. Severability.

TITLE VIII--HOMICIDE REDUCTION INITIATIVES

Sec. 801. Prohibiting persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes against
dating partners and persons subject to protection orders.
Sec. 802. Prohibiting stalkers and individuals subject to court order
from possessing a firearm.

TITLE IX--SAFETY FOR INDIAN WOMEN

Sec. 901. Findings and purposes.
Sec. 902. Authorizing funding for the tribal access program.
Sec. 903. Tribal jurisdiction over crimes of domestic violence, dating
violence, obstruction of justice, sexual violence, sex
trafficking, stalking, and assault of a law enforcement
officer or corrections officer.
Sec. 904. Annual reporting requirements.

TITLE X--OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Sec. 1001. Establishment of Office on Violence Against Women.

TITLE XI--IMPROVING CONDITIONS FOR WOMEN IN FEDERAL CUSTODY

Sec. 1101. Improving the treatment of primary caretaker parents and
other individuals in federal prisons.
Sec. 1102. Public health and safety of women.

TITLE XII--LAW ENFORCEMENT TOOLS TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY

Sec. 1201. Notification to law enforcement agencies of prohibited
purchase or attempted purchase of a firearm.
Sec. 1202. Reporting of background check denials to state, local, and
tribal authorities.
Sec. 1203. Special assistant U.S. attorneys and cross-deputized
attorneys.

[[Page H3013]]

TITLE XIII--CLOSING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CONSENT LOOPHOLE

Sec. 1301. Short title.
Sec. 1302. Prohibition on engaging in sexual acts while acting under
color of law.
Sec. 1303. Incentives for States.
Sec. 1304. Reports to Congress.
Sec. 1305. Definition.

TITLE XIV--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 1401. National stalker and domestic violence reduction.
Sec. 1402. Federal victim assistants reauthorization.
Sec. 1403. Child abuse training programs for judicial personnel and
practitioners reauthorization.
Sec. 1404. Sex offender management.
Sec. 1405. Court-appointed special advocate program.
Sec. 1406. Rape kit backlog.
Sec. 1407. Sexual assault forensic exam program grants.

SEC. 2. UNIVERSAL DEFINITIONS AND GRANT CONDITIONS.

Section 40002 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34
U.S.C. 12291) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``In this title'' and inserting ``In this
title, including for the purpose of grants authorized under
this Act'';
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (34) through (45) as
paragraphs (42) through (53);
(C) by inserting after paragraph (33) the following:
``(39) Internet enabled device.--The term `internet enabled
device' means devices that have a connection the Internet,
send and receive information and data, and maybe accessed via
mobile device technology, video technology, or computer
technology, away from the location where the device is
installed, and may include home automation systems, door
locks, and thermostats.
``(40) Technological abuse.--The term `technological abuse'
means behavior intended to harm, threaten, intimidate,
control, stalk, harass, impersonate, or monitor, except as
otherwise permitted by law, another person, that occurs using
the Internet, internet enabled devices, social networking
sites, computers, mobile devices, cellular telephones, apps,
location tracking devices, instant messages, text messages,
or other forms of technology. Technological abuse may
include--
``(A) unwanted, repeated telephone calls, text messages,
instant messages, or social media posts;
``(B) non-consensual accessing e-mail accounts, texts or
instant messaging accounts, social networking accounts, or
cellular telephone logs;
``(C) controlling or restricting a person's ability to
access technology with the intent to isolate them from
support and social connection;
``(D) using tracking devices or location tracking software
for the purpose of monitoring or stalking another person's
location;
``(E) impersonating a person (including through the use of
spoofing technology in photo or video or the creation of
accounts under a false name) with the intent to deceive or
cause harm; or
``(F) sharing or urging or compelling the sharing of
another person's private information, photographs, or videos
without their consent.
``(41) Female genital mutilation.--The terms `female
genital mutilation', `female genital cutting', `FGM/C', or
`female circumcision' mean the intentional removal or
infibulation (or both) of either the whole or part of the
external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. External
female genitalia includes the pubis, labia minora, labia
majora, clitoris, and urethral and vaginal openings.'';
(D) in paragraph (19)(B), by striking ``and probation'' and
inserting ``probation, and vacatur or expungement'';
(E) by redesignating paragraphs (13) through (33) as
paragraphs (18) through (38);
(F) by striking paragraphs (11) and (12) and inserting the
following:
``(13) Digital services.--The term `digital services' means
services, resources, information, support or referrals
provided through electronic communications platforms and
media, whether via mobile device technology, video
technology, or computer technology, including utilizing the
internet, as well as any other emerging communications
technologies that are appropriate for the purposes of
providing services, resources, information, support, or
referrals for the benefit of victims of domestic violence,
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
``(14) Economic abuse.--The term `economic abuse', in the
context of domestic violence, dating violence, and abuse in
later life, means behavior that is coercive, deceptive, or
unreasonably controls or restrains a person's ability to
acquire, use, or maintain economic resources to which they
are entitled, including using coercion, fraud, or
manipulation to--
``(A) restrict a person's access to money, assets, credit,
or financial information;
``(B) unfairly use a person's personal economic resources,
including money, assets, and credit, for one's own advantage;
or
``(C) exert undue influence over a person's financial and
economic behavior or decisions, including forcing default on
joint or other financial obligations, exploiting powers of
attorney, guardianship, or conservatorship, or failing or
neglecting to act in the best interests of a person to whom
one has a fiduciary duty.
``(15) Elder abuse.--The term `elder abuse' has the meaning
given that term in section 2 of the Elder Abuse Prevention
and Prosecution Act. The terms `abuse,' `elder,' and
`exploitation' have the meanings given those terms in section
2011 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397j).
``(16) Forced marriage.--The term `forced marriage' means a
marriage to which one or both parties do not or cannot
consent, and in which one or more elements of force, fraud,
or coercion is present. Forced marriage can be both a cause
and a consequence of domestic violence, dating violence,
sexual assault or stalking.
``(17) Homeless.--The term `homeless' has the meaning given
such term in section 41403(6).'';
(G) by redesignating paragraphs (9) and (10) as paragraphs
(11) and (12), respectively;
(H) by amending paragraph (8) to read as follows:
``(10) Domestic violence.--The term `domestic violence'
means a pattern of behavior involving the use or attempted
use of physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, economic, or
technological abuse or any other coercive behavior committed,
enabled, or solicited to gain or maintain power and control
over a victim, by a person who--
``(A) is a current or former spouse or dating partner of
the victim, or other person similarly situated to a spouse of
the victim under the family or domestic violence laws of the
jurisdiction;
``(B) is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the
victim as a spouse or dating partner, or other person
similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the family
or domestic violence laws of the jurisdiction;
``(C) shares a child in common with the victim;
``(D) is an adult family member of, or paid or nonpaid
caregiver for, a victim aged 50 or older or an adult victim
with disabilities; or
``(E) commits acts against a youth or adult victim who is
protected from those acts under the family or domestic
violence laws of the jurisdiction.''.
(I) by redesignating paragraphs (6) and (7) as paragraphs
(8) and (9), respectively;
(J) by amending paragraph (5) to read as follows:
``(7) Court-based and court-related personnel.--The terms
`court-based personnel' and `court-related personnel' mean
persons working in the court, whether paid or volunteer,
including--
``(A) clerks, special masters, domestic relations officers,
administrators, mediators, custody evaluators, guardians ad
litem, lawyers, negotiators, probation, parole, interpreters,
victim assistants, victim advocates, and judicial,
administrative, or any other professionals or personnel
similarly involved in the legal process;
``(B) court security personnel;
``(C) personnel working in related, supplementary offices
or programs (such as child support enforcement); and
``(D) any other court-based or community-based personnel
having responsibilities or authority to address domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking in the
court system.''.
(K) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as
paragraphs (4) through (6) respectively;
(L) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(3) Alternative justice response.--The term `alternative
justice response' means a process, whether court-ordered or
community-based, that--
``(A) involves, on a voluntary basis, and to the extent
possible, those who have committed a specific offense and
those who have been harmed as a result of the offense;
``(B) has the goal of collectively seeking accountability
from the accused, and developing a process whereby the
accused will take responsibility for his or her actions, and
a plan for providing relief to those harmed, through
allocution, restitution, community service, or other
processes upon which the victim, the accused, the community,
and the court (if court-ordered) can agree;
``(C) is conducted in a framework that protects victim
safety and supports victim autonomy; and
``(D) provides that information disclosed during such
process may not be used for any other law enforcement
purpose, including impeachment or prosecution, without the
express permission of all participants.''.
(M) by redesignating paragraph (1) as paragraph (2); and
(N) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as redesignated in
subparagraph (M) of this paragraph) the following:
``(1) Abuse in later life.--The term `abuse in later life'
means neglect, abandonment, domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, or stalking of an adult over the
age of 50 by any person, or economic abuse of that adult by a
person in an ongoing, relationship of trust with the victim.
Self-neglect is not included in this definition.''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) and (G) as
subparagraphs (H) and (I);
(ii) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following:
``(G) Death of the party whose privacy had been
protected.--In the event of the death of any victim whose
confidentiality and privacy is required to be protected under
this subsection, such requirement shall continue to apply,
and the right to authorize release of any confidential or
protected information be vested in the next of kin, except
that consent for release of the deceased victim's information
may not be given by a person who had perpetrated abuse
against the deceased victim.'';
(iii) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) through (E) as
subparagraphs (E) through (F); and
(iv) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
``(D) Use of technology.--Grantees and subgrantees may use
telephone, internet, and other technologies to protect the
privacy, location and help-seeking activities of victims
using services. Such technologies may include--
``(i) software, apps or hardware that block caller ID or
conceal IP addresses, including instances in which victims
use digital services; or

[[Page H3014]]

``(ii) technologies or protocols that inhibit or prevent a
perpetrator's attempts to use technology or social media to
threaten, harass or harm the victim, the victim's family,
friends, neighbors or co-workers, or the program providing
services to them.'';
(B) in paragraph (3), by inserting after ``designed to
reduce or eliminate domestic violence, dating violence,
sexual assault, and stalking'' the following: ``provided that
the confidentiality and privacy requirements of this title
are maintained, and that personally identifying information
about adult, youth, and child victims of domestic violence,
dating violence, sexual assault and stalking is not requested
or included in any such collaboration or information-
sharing'';
(C) in paragraph (6), by adding at the end the following:
``However, such disbursing agencies must ensure that the
confidentiality and privacy requirements of this title are
maintained in making such reports, and that personally
identifying information about adult, youth and child victims
of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and
stalking is not requested or included in any such reports.'';
(D) in paragraph (11), by adding at the end the following:
``The Office on Violence Against Women shall make all
technical assistance available as broadly as possible to any
appropriate grantees, subgrantees, potential grantees, or
other entities without regard to whether the entity has
received funding from the Office on Violence Against Women
for a particular program or project.'';
(E) in paragraph (13)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting after ``the Violence
Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013'' the following:
``(Public Law 113-4; 127 Stat. 54)''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``section 3789d of
title 42, United States Code'' and inserting ``section 809 of
title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of
1968 (34 U.S.C. 10228)'';
(F) in paragraph (14), by inserting after ``are also
victims of'' the following: ``forced marriage, or''; and
(G) in paragraph (16)(C)(i), by striking ``$20,000 in
Department funds, unless the Deputy Attorney General'' and
inserting ``$100,000 in Department funds, unless the Director
or Principal Deputy Director of the Office on Violence
Against Women, the Deputy Attorney General,''.

SEC. 3. REPORTING ON FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION, FEMALE
GENITAL CUTTING, OR FEMALE CIRCUMCISION.

(a) In General.--The Director of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation shall, pursuant to section 534 of title 28,
United States Code, classify the offense of female genital
mutilation, female genital cutting, or female circumcision as
a part II crime in the Uniform Crime Reports.
(b) Definition.--In this section, the terms ``female
genital mutilation'', ``female genital cutting'', ``FGM/C'',
or ``female circumcision'' mean the intentional removal or
infibulation (or both) of either the whole or part of the
external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. External
female genitalia includes the pubis, labia minora, labia
majora, clitoris, and urethral and vaginal openings.

TITLE I--ENHANCING LEGAL TOOLS TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING
VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING

SEC. 101. STOP GRANTS.

(a) In General.--Part T of title I of the Omnibus Crime
Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10441 et
seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 2001(b)--
(A) in paragraph (3), by inserting before the semicolon at
the end the following: ``including implementation of the non-
discrimination requirements in section 40002(b)(13) of the
Violence Against Women Act of 1994'';
(B) in paragraph (9)--
(i) by striking ``older and disabled women'' and inserting
``people 50 years of age or over and people with
disabilities''; and
(ii) by striking ``older and disabled individuals'' and
inserting ``people'';
(C) in paragraph (19), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(D) in paragraph (20), by striking the period at the end
and inserting a semicolon; and
(E) by inserting after paragraph (20), the following:
``(21) developing and implementing laws, policies,
procedures, or training to ensure the lawful recovery and
storage of any dangerous weapon by the appropriate law
enforcement agency from an adjudicated perpetrator of any
offense of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual
assault, or stalking, and the return of such weapon when
appropriate, where any Federal, State, tribal, or local court
has--
``(A)(i) issued protective or other restraining orders
against such a perpetrator; or
``(ii) found such a perpetrator to be guilty of misdemeanor
or felony crimes of domestic violence, dating violence,
sexual assault, or stalking; and
``(B) ordered the perpetrator to relinquish dangerous
weapons that the perpetrator possesses or has used in the
commission of at least one of the aforementioned crimes.
Policies, procedures, protocols, laws, regulations, or
training under this section shall include the safest means of
recovery of, and best practices for storage of, relinquished
and recovered dangerous weapons and their return, when
applicable, at such time as the individual is no longer
prohibited from possessing such weapons under Federal, State,
or Tribal law, or posted local ordinances; and
``(22) developing, enlarging, or strengthening culturally
specific victim services programs to provide culturally
specific victim services regarding, responses to, and
prevention of female genital mutilation, female genital
cutting, or female circumcision.'';
(2) in section 2007--
(A) in subsection (d)--
(i) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as paragraphs
(7) and (8), respectively; and
(ii) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
``(5) proof of compliance with the requirements regarding
protocols to strongly discourage compelling victim testimony,
described in section 2017;
``(6) proof of compliance with the requirements regarding
civil rights under section 40002(b)(13) of the Violent Crime
Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994;'';
(B) in subsection (i)--
(i) in paragraph (1), by inserting before the semicolon at
the end the following: ``and the requirements under section
40002(b) of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act
of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(b))''; and
(ii) in paragraph (2)(C)(iv), by inserting after
``ethnicity,'' the following: ``sexual orientation, gender
identity,''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(k) Reviews for Compliance With Nondiscrimination
Requirements.--
``(1) In general.--If allegations of discrimination in
violation of section 40002(b)(13)(A) of the Violence Against
Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(b)(13)(A)) by a potential
grantee under this part have been made to the Attorney
General, the Attorney General shall, prior to awarding a
grant under this part to such potential grantee, conduct a
review of the compliance of the potential grantee with such
section.
``(2) Establishment of rule.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of the Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act of 2019, the Attorney General shall by
rule establish procedures for such a review.
``(3) Annual report.--Beginning on the date that is 1 year
after the date of enactment of the Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act of 2019, the Attorney General shall
report to the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and
of the House of Representatives regarding compliance with
section 40002(b)(13)(A) of the Violence Against Women Act of
1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(b)(13)(A)) by recipients of grants
under this part.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 2017. GRANT ELIGIBILITY REGARDING COMPELLING VICTIM
TESTIMONY.

``In order to be eligible for a grant under this part, a
State, Indian tribal government, territorial government, or
unit of local government shall certify that, not later than 3
years after the date of enactment of this section, their
laws, policies, or practices will include a detailed protocol
to discourage the use of bench warrants, material witness
warrants, perjury charges, or other means of compelling
victim-witness testimony in the investigation, prosecution,
trial, or sentencing of a crime related to the domestic
violence, sexual assault, dating violence or stalking of the
victim.''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 1001(a)(18)
of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34
U.S.C. 10261(a)(18)) is amended by striking ``2014 through
2018'' and inserting ``2020 through 2024''.

SEC. 102. GRANTS TO IMPROVE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESPONSE.

(a) Heading.--Part U of title I of the Omnibus Crime
Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10461 et
seq.) is amended in the heading, by striking ``grants to
encourage arrest policies'' and inserting ``grants to improve
the criminal justice response''.
(b) Grants.--Section 2101 of the Omnibus Crime Control and
Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10461) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
``(a) General Program Purpose.--The purpose of this part is
to assist States, State and local courts (including juvenile
courts), Indian tribal governments, tribal courts, and units
of local government to develop and strengthen effective law
enforcement and prosecution strategies to combat violent
crimes against women, and to develop and strengthen victim
services in cases involving violent crimes against women.'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``proarrest'' and
inserting ``offender accountability and homicide reduction'';
(B) in paragraph (8)--
(i) by striking ``older individuals (as defined in section
102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002))''
and inserting ``people 50 years of age or over''; and
(ii) by striking ``individuals with disabilities (as
defined in section 3(2) of the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102(2)))'' and inserting ``people
with disabilities (as defined in the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102))'';
(C) in paragraph (19), by inserting before the period at
the end the following ``, including victims among underserved
populations (as defined in section 40002(a)(46) of the
Violence Against Women Act of 1994)''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(23) To develop and implement an alternative justice
response (as such term is defined in section 40002(a) of the
Violence Against Women Act of 1994).
``(24) To develop and implement policies, procedures,
protocols, laws, regulations, or training to ensure the
lawful recovery and storage of any dangerous weapon by the
appropriate law enforcement agency from an adjudicated
perpetrator of any offense of domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and the return of such
weapon when appropriate, where any Federal, State, tribal, or
local court has--
``(A)(i) issued protective or other restraining orders
against such a perpetrator; or

[[Page H3015]]

``(ii) found such a perpetrator to be guilty of misdemeanor
or felony crimes of domestic violence, dating violence,
sexual assault, or stalking; and
``(B) ordered the perpetrator to relinquish dangerous
weapons that the perpetrator possesses or has used in the
commission of at least one of the aforementioned crimes.
Policies, procedures, protocols, laws, regulations, or
training under this section shall include the safest means of
recovery of and best practices for storage of relinquished
and recovered dangerous weapons and their return, when
applicable, at such time as the persons are no longer
prohibited from possessing such weapons under Federal, State,
Tribal or municipal law.''; and
(3) in subsection (c)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) in clause (i), by striking ``encourage or mandate
arrests of domestic violence offenders'' and inserting
``encourage arrests of offenders''; and
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``encourage or mandate
arrest of domestic violence offenders'' and inserting
``encourage arrest of offenders''; and
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following:
``(F) certify that, not later than 3 years after the date
of the enactment of this subparagraph, their laws, policies,
or practices will include a detailed protocol to strongly
discourage the use of bench warrants, material witness
warrants, perjury charges, or other means of compelling
victim-witness testimony in the investigation, prosecution,
trial, or sentencing of a crime related to the domestic
violence, sexual assault, dating violence or stalking of the
victim; and''.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 1001(a)(19)
of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34
U.S.C. 10261(a)(19)) is amended by striking ``2014 through
2018'' and inserting ``2020 through 2024''.

SEC. 103. LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS.

Section 1201 of division B of the Victims of Trafficking
and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (34 U.S.C. 20121) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting after ``no cost to the
victims.'' the following: ``When legal assistance to a
dependent is necessary for the safety of a victim, such
assistance may be provided.'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting after ``stalking, and
sexual assault'' the following: ``, or for dependents when
necessary for the safety of a victim'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting after ``stalking, and
sexual assault'' the following: ``, or for dependents when
necessary for the safety of a victim,'' and
(C) in paragraph (3), by inserting after ``sexual assault,
or stalking'' the following: ``, or for dependents when
necessary for the safety of a victim,''; and
(3) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``2014 through 2018''
and inserting ``2020 through 2024''.

SEC. 104. GRANTS TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

Section 1301 of division B of the Victims of Trafficking
and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (34 U.S.C. 12464) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in paragraph (8)--
(i) by striking ``to improve'' and inserting ``improve'';
and
(ii) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``;
and'' ; and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following:
``(9) develop and implement an alternative justice response
(as such term is defined in section 40002(a) of the Violence
Against Women Act of 1994).''; and
(2) in subsection (e), by striking ``2014 through 2018''
and inserting ``2020 through 2024''.

SEC. 105. OUTREACH AND SERVICES TO UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
GRANTS.

Section 120 of the Violence Against Women and Department of
Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (34 U.S.C. 20123) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; or''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) developing, enlarging, or strengthening culturally
specific programs and projects to provide culturally specific
services regarding, responses to, and prevention of female
genital mutilation, female genital cutting, or female
circumcision.''; and
(2) in subsection (g), by striking ``2014 through 2018''
and inserting ``2020 through 2024''.

SEC. 106. CRIMINAL PROVISIONS.

Section 2265 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (d)(3)--
(A) by striking ``restraining order or injunction,''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following: ``The prohibition
under this paragraph applies to all protection orders for the
protection of a person residing within a State, territorial,
or tribal jurisdiction, whether or not the protection order
was issued by that State, territory, or Tribe.''; and
(2) in subsection (e), by adding at the end the following:
``This applies to all Alaska tribes without respect to
`Indian country' or the population of the Native village
associated with the Tribe.''.

SEC. 107. RAPE SURVIVOR CHILD CUSTODY.

Section 409 of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act
of 2015 (34 U.S.C. 21308) is amended by striking ``2015
through 2019'' and inserting ``2020 through 2024''.

TITLE II--IMPROVING SERVICES FOR VICTIMS

SEC. 201. SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES PROGRAM.

Section 41601(f)(1) of the Violent Crime Control and Law
Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12511(f)(1)) is amended by
striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2020 through
2024''.

SEC. 202. RURAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL
ASSAULT, STALKING, AND CHILD ABUSE ENFORCEMENT
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Section 40295 of the Violent Crime Control and Law
Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12341) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ``women'' and
inserting ``adults, youth,''; and
(2) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ``2014 through 2018''
and inserting ``2020 through 2024''.

SEC. 203. TRAINING AND SERVICES TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

Section 1402 of division B of the Victims of Trafficking
and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (34 U.S.C. 20122) is
amended--
(1) in the heading, by striking ``women'' and inserting
``people'';
(2) in subsection (a), by striking ``individuals'' each
place it appears and inserting ``people'';
(3) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``disabled individuals'' each place it
appears and inserting ``people with disabilities'';
(B) in paragraph (3), by inserting after ``law
enforcement'' the following: ``and other first responders'';
and
(C) in paragraph (8), by striking ``providing advocacy and
intervention services within'' and inserting ``to enhance the
capacity of'';
(4) in subsection (c), by striking ``disabled individuals''
and inserting ``people with disabilities''; and
(5) in subsection (e), by striking ``2014 through 2018''
and inserting ``2020 through 2024''.

SEC. 204. TRAINING AND SERVICES TO END ABUSE IN LATER LIFE.

Section 40801 of the Violent Crime Control and Law
Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12421)--
(1) in the heading, by striking ``enhanced training'' and
inserting ``training'';
(2) by striking subsection ``(a) Definitions.--In this
section--'' and all that follows through paragraph (1) of
subsection (b) and inserting the following: ``The Attorney
General shall make grants to eligible entities in accordance
with the following:'';
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (5) of
subsection (b) as paragraphs (1) through (4);
(4) in paragraph (1) (as redesignated by paragraph (3) of
this subsection)--
(A) by striking ``, including domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, stalking, exploitation, and
neglect'' each place it appears;
(B) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) in clause (i), by inserting after ``elder abuse'' the
following: ``and abuse in later life'';
(ii) in clauses (ii) and (iii), by inserting after
``victims of'' the following: ``elder abuse and''; and
(iii) in clause (iv), by striking ``advocates, victim
service providers, and courts to better serve victims of
abuse in later life'' and inserting ``leaders, victim
advocates, victim service providers, courts, and first
responders to better serve older victims'';
(C) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) in clause (i), by striking ``or other community-based
organizations in recognizing and addressing instances of
abuse in later life'' and inserting ``community-based
organizations, or other professionals who may identify or
respond to abuse in later life''; and
(ii) in clause (ii), by inserting after ``victims of'' the
following: ``elder abuse and''; and
(D) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``subparagraph
(B)(ii)'' and inserting ``paragraph (2)(B)'';
(5) in paragraph (2) (as redesignated by paragraph (3))--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``over 50 years of
age'' and inserting ``50 years of age or over''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``in later life'' and
inserting ``50 years of age or over''; and
(6) in paragraph (4) (as redesignated by paragraph (3)), by
striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2020 through
2024''.

TITLE III--SERVICES, PROTECTION, AND JUSTICE FOR YOUNG VICTIMS

SEC. 301. RAPE PREVENTION AND EDUCATION GRANT.

Section 393A of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
280b-1b) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by inserting before the semicolon at
the end the following ``or digital services (as such term is
defined in section 40002(a) of the Violence Against Women Act
of 1994)''; and
(B) in paragraph (7), by striking ``sexual assault'' and
inserting ``sexual violence, sexual assault, and sexual
harassment'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``Indian tribal'' and
inserting ``Indian Tribal''; and
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$50,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``$150,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024''; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by adding at the end the following:
``Not less than 80 percent of the total amount made available
under this subsection in each fiscal year shall be awarded in
accordance with this paragraph.''.

[[Page H3016]]

SEC. 302. CREATING HOPE THROUGH OUTREACH, OPTIONS, SERVICES,
AND EDUCATION (CHOOSE) FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH.

Section 41201 of the Violent Crime Control and Law
Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12451) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``stalking, or sex trafficking'' and
inserting ``or stalking''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following: ``Grants awarded
under this section may be used to address sex trafficking or
bullying as part of a comprehensive program focused primarily
on domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or
stalking.'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``target youth who are victims of domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sex trafficking'' and
inserting ``target youth, including youth in underserved
populations who are victims of domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, and stalking'';
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``stalking, and sex
trafficking'' and inserting ``and stalking'';
(iii) in subparagraph (B)--

(I) by striking ``stalking, or sex trafficking'' and
inserting ``or stalking''; and
(II) by striking ``or'' at the end;

(iv) in subparagraph (C)--

(I) by striking ``stalking, and sex trafficking'' and
inserting ``or stalking''; and
(II) by striking the period at the end and inserting a
semicolon; and

(v) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
``(D) clarify State or local mandatory reporting policies
and practices regarding peer-to-peer dating violence, sexual
assault, and stalking; or
``(E) develop, enlarge, or strengthen culturally specific
programs and projects to provide culturally specific services
regarding, responses to, and prevention of female genital
mutilation, female genital cutting, or female
circumcision.''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``stalking, or sex
trafficking'' and inserting ``stalking, or female genital
mutilation, female genital cutting, or female circumcision'';
(ii) by striking ``stalking, or sex trafficking'' each
place it appears and inserting ``or stalking'';
(iii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``confidential''
before ``support services'';
(iv) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``stalking, and sex
trafficking'' and inserting ``and stalking''; and
(v) in subparagraph (E), by inserting after ``programming
for youth'' the following: ``, including youth in underserved
populations,'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``stalking, or sex
trafficking'' and inserting ``or stalking''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``paragraph (1)'' and
inserting ``subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1)'';
(4) in subsection (d)(3), by striking ``stalking, and sex
trafficking'' and inserting ``and stalking, including
training on working with youth in underserved populations
(and, where intervention or programming will include a focus
on female genital mutilation, female genital cutting, or
female circumcision, or on sex trafficking, sufficient
training on those topics)''; and
(5) in subsection (f), by striking ``$15,000,000 for each
of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' and inserting
``$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024''.

SEC. 303. GRANTS TO COMBAT VIOLENT CRIMES ON CAMPUSES.

Section 304 of the Violence Against Women and Department of
Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (34 U.S.C. 20125) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking the second sentence;
(B) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
``(3) To provide prevention and education programming about
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and
stalking, including technological abuse and reproductive and
sexual coercion, that is age-appropriate, culturally
relevant, ongoing, delivered in multiple venues on campus,
accessible, promotes respectful nonviolent behavior as a
social norm, and engages men and boys. Such programming
should be developed in partnership or collaboratively with
experts in intimate partner and sexual violence prevention
and intervention.'';
(C) in paragraph (9), by striking ``and provide'' and
inserting ``, provide, and disseminate'';
(D) in paragraph (10), by inserting after ``or adapt'' the
following ``and disseminate''; and
(E) by inserting after paragraph (10) the following:
``(11) To train campus health centers on how to recognize
and respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual
assault, and stalking, including training health providers on
how to provide universal education to all members of the
campus community on the impacts of violence on health and
unhealthy relationships and how providers can support ongoing
outreach efforts.'';
(2) in subsection (c)(3), by striking ``2014 through 2018''
and inserting ``2020 through 2024'';
(3) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking ``for all incoming
students'' and inserting ``for all students''; and
(B) in paragraph (4)(C), by inserting after ``sex,'' the
following: ``sexual orientation, gender identity,''; and
(4) in subsection (e), by striking ``$12,000,000 for each
of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' and inserting
``$16,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024''.

SEC. 304. COMBAT ONLINE PREDATORS.

(a) In General.--Chapter 110A of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by inserting after section 2261A the
following:

``Sec. 2261B. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children

``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), if
the victim of an offense under section 2261A is under the age
of 18 years, the maximum term of imprisonment for the offense
is 5 years greater than the maximum term of imprisonment
otherwise provided for that offense in section 2261.
``(b) Limitation.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to a
person who violates section 2261A if--
``(1) the person is subject to a sentence under section
2261(b)(5); and
``(2)(A) the person is under the age of 18 at the time the
offense occurred; or
``(B) the victim of the offense is not less than 15 nor
more than 17 years of age and not more than 3 years younger
than the person who committed the offense at the time the
offense occurred.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 110A of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2261A
the following new item:

``2261B. Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children.''.
(c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 2261A of title 18,
United States Code, is amended in the matter following
paragraph (2)(B), by striking ``section 2261(b) of this
title'' and inserting ``section 2261(b) or section 2261B, as
the case may be''.
(d) Report on Best Practices Regarding Enforcement of Anti-
stalking Laws.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit a
report to Congress, which shall--
(1) include an evaluation of Federal, tribal, State, and
local efforts to enforce laws relating to stalking; and
(2) identify and describe those elements of such efforts
that constitute the best practices for the enforcement of
such laws.

TITLE IV--VIOLENCE REDUCTION PRACTICES

SEC. 401. STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
AND PREVENTION.

Section 402 of the Violence Against Women and Department of
Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 280b-4) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by striking ``violence against
women'' and inserting ``violence against adults, youth,'';
and
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ``2014 through 2018''
and inserting ``2020 through 2024''.

SEC. 402. SAVING MONEY AND REDUCING TRAGEDIES (SMART) THROUGH
PREVENTION GRANTS.

Section 41303 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34
U.S.C. 12463) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(E) strategies within each of these areas addressing the
unmet needs of underserved populations.'';
(2) in subsection (d)(3)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) include a focus on the unmet needs of underserved
populations.'';
(3) in subsection (f), by striking ``$15,000,000 for each
of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' and inserting
``$45,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024'';
and
(4) in subsection (g), by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Remaining amounts.--Any amounts not made available
under paragraphs (1) and (2) may be used for any set of
purposes described in paragraphs (1), (2), or (3) of
subsection (b), or for a project that fulfills two or more of
such sets of purposes.''.

TITLE V--STRENGTHENING THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS RESPONSE

SEC. 501. GRANTS TO STRENGTHEN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS
RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE,
SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING.

Section 399P of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
280g-4) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) the development or enhancement and implementation of
training programs to improve the capacity of early childhood
programs to address domestic violence, dating violence,
sexual assault, and stalking among families they serve.'';
(2) in subsection (b)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by inserting ``, including
labor and sex trafficking'' after ``other forms of violence
and abuse'';
(B) in subparagraph (B)(ii)--
(i) by striking ``on-site access to''; and
(ii) by striking ``patients by increasing'' and all that
follows through the semicolon and inserting the following:
``patients by--

``(I) increasing the capacity of existing health care
professionals and public health staff to address domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking;

[[Page H3017]]

``(II) contracting with or hiring advocates for victims of
domestic violence or sexual assault to provide such services;
or
``(III) providing funding to State domestic and sexual
violence coalitions to improve the capacity of such
coalitions to coordinate and support health advocates and
other health system partnerships;'';

(C) in subparagraph (B)(iii), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(D) in subparagraph (B)(iv) by striking the period at the
end and inserting the following: ``, with priority given to
programs administered through the Health Resources and
Services Administration, Office of Women's Health; and''; and
(E) in subparagraph (B), by adding at the end the
following:
``(v) the development, implementation, dissemination, and
evaluation of best practices, tools, and training materials
for behavioral health professionals to identify and respond
to domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, and dating
violence.''.
(3) in subsection (b)(2)(A)--
(A) in the heading, by striking ``Child and elder abuse''
and inserting the following: ``Child abuse and abuse in later
life''; and
(B) by striking ``child or elder abuse'' and inserting the
following: ``child abuse or abuse in later life'';
(4) in subsection (b)(2)(C)(i), by striking ``elder abuse''
and inserting ``abuse in later life'';
(5) in subsection (b)(2)(C)(iii), by striking ``or'' at the
end;
(6) in subsection (b)(2)(C)(iv)--
(A) by inserting ``mental health,'' after ``dental,''; and
(B) by striking ``exams.'' and inserting ``exams and
certifications;'';
(7) in subsection (b)(2)(C), by inserting after clause (iv)
the following:
``(v) development of a State-level pilot program to--

``(I) improve the response of substance use disorder
treatment programs and systems to domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, and stalking; and
``(II) improve the capacity of substance use disorder
treatment programs and systems to serve survivors of domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking
dealing with substance use disorder; or

``(vi) development and utilization of existing technical
assistance and training resources to improve the capacity of
substance use disorder treatment programs to address domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking among
patients the programs serve.''
(8) in subsection (d)(2)(A)--
(A) by inserting ``or behavioral health'' after ``of
health'';
(B) by inserting ``behavioral'' after ``physical or''; and
(C) by striking ``mental'' before ``health care'';
(9) in subsection (d)(2)(B)--
(A) by striking ``or health system'' and inserting
``behavioral health treatment system''; and
(B) by striking ``mental'' and inserting ``behavioral'';
(10) in subsection (f) in the heading, by striking
``Research and Evaluation'' and inserting ``Research,
Evaluation, and Data Collection'';
(11) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``research and
evaluation'' and inserting ``research, evaluation, or data
collection'';
(12) in subsection (f)(1)(B), by inserting after ``health
care'' the following: ``or behavioral health'';
(13) in subsection (f)(2)--
(A) in the heading, by inserting after ``Research'' the
following: ``and data collection'';
(B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting
``or data collection'' before ``authorized in paragraph
(1)'';
(C) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(D) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end
and inserting a semicolon; and
(E) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:
``(E) research on the intersection of substance use
disorder and domestic violence, dating violence, sexual
assault, and stalking, including the effect of coerced use
and efforts by an abusive partner or other to interfere with
substance use disorder treatment and recovery; and
``(F) improvement of data collection using existing Federal
surveys by including questions about domestic violence,
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking and substance
use disorder, coerced use, and mental or behavioral
health.'';
(14) in subsection (g), by striking ``2014 through 2018''
and inserting ``2020 through 2024''; and
(15) in subsection (h), by striking ``herein'' and
``provided for''.

TITLE VI--SAFE HOMES FOR VICTIMS

SEC. 601. HOUSING PROTECTIONS FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND
STALKING.

Section 41411 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34
U.S.C. 12491) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``brother, sister,''
and inserting ``sibling,''; and
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting before the semicolon
at the end the following: ``including the direct loan program
under such section'';
(ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``the program under
subtitle A'' and inserting ``the programs under subtitles A
through D'';
(iii) in subparagraph (I)--

(I) by striking ``sections 514, 515, 516, 533, and 538 of
the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1484, 1485, 1486, 1490m,
and 1490p-2)'' and inserting ``sections 514, 515, 516, 533,
538, and 542 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1484,
1485, 1486, 1490m, 1490p-2, and 1490r)''; and
(II) by striking ``and'' at the end;

(iv) in subparagraph (J), by striking the period at the end
and inserting a semicolon; and
(v) by adding at the end the following:
``(K) the provision of assistance from the Housing Trust
Fund as established under section 1338 of the Federal Housing
Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 (12
U.S.C. 4501);
``(L) the provision of assistance for housing under the
Comprehensive Service Programs for Homeless Veterans program
under subchapter II of chapter 20 of title 38, United States
Code (38 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.);
``(M) the provision of assistance for housing and
facilities under the grant program for homeless veterans with
special needs under section 2061 of title 38, United States
Code;
``(N) the provision of assistance for permanent housing
under the program for financial assistance for supportive
services for very low-income veteran families in permanent
housing under section 2044 of title 38, United States Code;
and
``(O) any other Federal housing programs providing
affordable housing to low-income persons by means of
restricted rents or rental assistance as identified by the
appropriate agency.''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Covered housing provider.--The term `covered housing
provider' refers to the individual or entity under a covered
housing program that has responsibility for the
administration or oversight of housing assisted under a
covered housing program and includes public housing agencies,
sponsors, owners, mortgagors, managers, grantee under the
continuum of Care, State and local governments or agencies
thereof, and nonprofit or for-profit organizations or
entities.
``(5) Continuum of care.--The term `Continuum of Care'
means the Federal program authorized under subtitle C of
title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 11381 et seq.).
``(6) Internal transfer.--The term `internal transfer'
means a transfer to a unit of the same covered housing
provider and under the same covered housing program except
for programs under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance
Act.
``(7) External transfer.--The term `external transfer'
means a transfer to a unit of a different covered housing
provider under the same covered housing program.'';
(2) in subsection (b)(3)--
(A) in the heading, by inserting after ``criminal
activity'' the following: ``and family break-up'';
(B) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:
``(A) Denial of assistance, tenancy, and occupancy rights
prohibited.--
``(i) In general.--A tenant shall not be denied assistance,
tenancy, or occupancy rights to housing assisted under a
covered housing program solely on the basis of criminal
activity directly relating to domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, or stalking that is engaged in by a
member of the household of the tenant or any guest or other
person under the control of the tenant, if the tenant or an
affiliated individual of the tenant is the victim or
threatened victim of such domestic violence, dating violence,
sexual assault, or stalking.
``(ii) Criminal activity engaged in by perpetrator of
abuse.--A tenant shall not be denied assistance, tenancy, or
occupancy rights to housing assisted under a covered housing
program solely on the basis of criminal activity, including
drug-related criminal activity (as such term is defined
section 3(b)(9) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42
U.S.C. 1437a(b)(9)), engaged in by the perpetrator of the
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or
stalking.
``(iii) Review prior to denial of assistance.--Prior to
denying assistance, tenancy, or occupancy rights to housing
assisted under a covered housing program to a tenant on the
basis of criminal activity of the tenant, including drug-
related criminal activity, the covered housing provider must
conduct an individualized review of the totality of the
circumstances regarding the criminal activity at issue if the
tenant is a victim of domestic violence, dating violence,
sexual assault, or stalking. Such review shall include
consideration of--

``(I) the nature and severity of the criminal activity;
``(II) the amount of time that has elapsed since the
occurrence of the criminal activity;
``(III) if the tenant engaged in more than one instance of
criminal activity, the frequency and duration of the criminal
activity;
``(IV) whether the criminal activity was related to a
symptom of a disability, including a substance use disorder;
``(V) whether the victim was coerced by the perpetrator of
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or
stalking;
``(VI) whether the victim has taken affirmative steps to
reduce the likelihood that the criminal activity will recur;
and
``(VII) any mitigating factors.

The covered housing program must provide the tenant with a
written summary of its review and the tenant shall have the
opportunity to invoke the covered housing program's grievance
policy to dispute the findings.'';
(C) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) in the heading, by striking ``Bifurcation'' and
inserting ``Family break-up'';
(ii) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as clauses (ii)
and (iii) respectively;
(iii) by inserting before clause (ii) (as redesignated by
clause (ii) of this subparagraph) the following:
``(i) In general.--If a family break-up results from an
occurrence of domestic violence, dating

[[Page H3018]]

violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and the perpetrator no
longer resides in the unit and was the sole tenant eligible
to receive assistance under a covered housing program, the
covered housing provider shall--

``(I) provide any other tenant or resident the opportunity
to establish eligibility for the covered housing program; or
``(II) provide that tenant or resident with at least 180
days to remain in the unit under the same terms and
conditions as the perpetrator and find new housing or
establish eligibility for another covered housing program.''.

(iv) in clause (ii) (as redesignated by clause (ii) of this
subparagraph)--

(I) in the heading, by striking ``In general'' and
inserting ``Eviction''; and
(II) by inserting after ``a public housing agency'' the
following: ``, participating jurisdictions, grantees under
the Continuum of Care, grantees,''; and

(v) by striking clause (iii) (as redesignated by clause
(ii) of this subparagraph);
(D) in subparagraph (C)--
(i) in clause (iii), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(ii) in clause (iv), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; or''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(v) to limit any right, remedy, or procedure otherwise
available under the Violence Against Women Reauthorization
Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-162, 119 Stat. 2960) prior to the
date of enactment of the Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act of 2019.''; and
(E) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
``(D) Early termination.--A covered housing provider shall
permit a tenant assisted under the covered housing program to
terminate the lease at any time prior to the end date of the
lease, without penalty, if the tenant has been a victim of
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or
stalking and the tenant--
``(i) sends notice of the early lease termination to the
landlord in writing prior to or within 3 days of vacating the
premises unless a shorter notice period is provided for under
State law;
``(ii)(I) reasonably believes that the tenant is threatened
with imminent harm if the tenant remains within the same
dwelling unit subject to the lease; or
``(II) is a victim of sexual assault, the sexual assault
occurred on the premises during the 180-day period preceding
the request for lease termination; and
``(iii) provides a form of documentation consistent with
the requirements outlined in subsection (c)(3).
Nothing in this subparagraph may be construed to preclude any
automatic termination of a lease by operation of law.'';
(3) in subsection (c)(4), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A)--
(A) by striking ``Any information submitted to a public
housing agency or owner or manager'' and inserting ``Covered
housing providers shall ensure any information submitted'';
and
(B) by inserting after ``owner or manager'' the following:
``of housing assisted under a covered housing program'';
(4) by amending subsection (e) to read as follows:
``(e) Emergency Transfers.--
``(1) In general.--Tenants who are victims of domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking shall
be transferred to another available and safe dwelling unit
assisted under a covered housing program if--
``(A) the tenant expressly requests the transfer from the
covered housing provider; and
``(B)(i) the tenant reasonably believes that the tenant is
threatened with imminent harm from further violence if the
tenant remains within the same dwelling unit assisted under a
covered housing program; or
``(ii) in the case of a tenant who is a victim of sexual
assault, the sexual assault occurred on the premises during
the 180 day period preceding the request for transfer.
A tenant who is not in good standing retains the right to an
emergency transfer if they meet the eligibility requirements
in this section and the eligibility requirements of the
program to which the tenant intends to transfer.
``(2) Policies.--Each appropriate agency shall adopt an
emergency transfer policy for use by covered housing
programs. Such emergency transfer policies shall reflect the
variations in program operation and administration by covered
housing program type. The policies must, at a minimum--
``(A) describe a process that--
``(i) permits tenants who are victims of domestic violence,
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to move to
another available and safe dwelling quickly through an
internal emergency transfer and by receiving a tenant
protection voucher, if eligible, pursuant to subsection (f);
``(ii) provides that the victim can choose between
completing an internal emergency transfer or receiving a
tenant protection voucher, whichever is the safest option for
the victim; and
``(iii) requires that an internal emergency transfer must
occur within 10 days after a covered housing provider's
approval of a request for an emergency transfer;
``(B) describe a process to permit tenants who are victims
of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or
stalking to complete an emergency external transfer;
``(C) describe a process that allows a victim of domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to
temporarily relocate, while maintaining eligibility for the
covered housing program without the loss of their housing
status, if there are no alternative comparable housing
program units available, until a safe housing unit under the
covered housing program or a tenant protection voucher is
available;
``(D) prioritize completing internal emergency transfers
and receiving tenant protection vouchers over external
emergency transfers, except for Continua of Care, which shall
prioritize completing an internal emergency transfer or
external emergency transfer prior to receiving a tenant
protection voucher;
``(E) mandate that emergency internal and external
transfers take priority over non-emergency transfers;
``(F) mandate that emergency internal and external
transfers are not considered new applicants and take priority
over existing waiting lists for a covered housing program;
``(G) incorporate confidentiality measures to ensure that
the appropriate agency and the covered housing provider do
not disclose any information regarding a tenant who is victim
of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or
stalking, including the location of a new dwelling unit to
any person or entity without the written authorization of the
tenant;
``(H) mandate that if a victim cannot receive an internal
transfer, external transfer, and a tenant protection voucher,
then the covered housing provider must assist the victim in
identifying other housing providers who may have safe and
available units to which the victim can move and that the
covered housing provider also assist tenants in contacting
local organizations offering assistance to victims; and
``(I) mandate a uniform policy for how a victim of domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking
requests an emergency internal or external transfer.
``(3) Local Systems Funded by Continuum of Care.--In
addition to adopting the policies as defined in paragraph (2)
in an emergency transfer policy, each grantee under the
Continuum of Care shall designate the entity within its
geographic area that will coordinate and facilitate emergency
transfers, and that entity shall also--''.
``(A) coordinate emergency external transfers among all
covered housing providers participating in the Continuum of
Care;
``(B) identify an emergency external transfer, if
available, within 30 days of an approved request;
``(C) coordinate emergency transfers with Continua of Care
in other jurisdictions in cases where the victim requests an
out-of-jurisdiction transfer; and
``(D) ensure a victim is not required to be reassessed
through the local Continuum of Care intake process when
seeking an emergency transfer placement.
``(4) Regional offices.--Each regional office of the
Department of Housing and Urban Development (hereinafter in
this section referred to as a `HUD regional office') shall
develop and implement a regional emergency transfer plan in
collaboration with public housing agencies and the entities
designated under paragraph (3). Such a plan shall set forth
how public housing agencies will coordinate emergency
transfers with other public housing agencies regionally. The
plans must be submitted to the Violence Against Women
Director and be made publicly available. HUD regional offices
shall defer to any additional emergency transfer policies,
priorities and strategies set by entities designated under
paragraph (3).
``(5) Covered housing providers.--Each covered housing
provider shall develop and implement an emergency transfer
policy consistent with the requirements in paragraph (2) or
(3).'';
(5) in subsection (f), by adding at the end the following:
``The Secretary shall establish these policies and procedures
within 60 days after the date of enactment of the Violence
Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019.'';
(6) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (k); and
(7) by inserting after subsection (f) the following:
``(g) Emergency Transfer Policies and Procedures.--The head
of each appropriate agency shall establish the policy
required under subsection (e) with respect to emergency
transfers and emergency transfer vouchers within 180 days
after the date of enactment of the Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act of 2019.
``(h) Emergency Transfer Vouchers.--Provision of emergency
transfer vouchers to victims of domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, or stalking under subsection (e),
shall be considered an eligible use of any funding for tenant
protection voucher assistance available under section 8(o) of
the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o))
subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out emergency
transfers under this section, $20,000,000 under section 8(o)
of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o))
for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024.
``(j) Training and Referrals.--
``(1) Training for staff of covered housing programs.--The
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, in partnership
with domestic violence experts, shall develop mandatory
training for staff of covered housing providers to provide a
basic understanding of domestic violence, dating violence,
sexual assault, and stalking, and to facilitate
implementation of this section. All staff of covered housing
providers shall attend the basic understanding training once
annually; and all staff and managers engaged in tenant
services shall attend both the basic understanding training
and the implementation training once annually.
``(2) Referrals.--The appropriate agency with respect to
each covered housing program shall supply all appropriate
staff of the covered housing providers with a referral
listing of public contact information for all domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking
service providers offering services in its coverage area.''.

[[Page H3019]]

SEC. 602. ENSURING COMPLIANCE AND IMPLEMENTATION; PROHIBITING
RETALIATION AGAINST VICTIMS.

Chapter 2 of subtitle N of title IV of the Violence Against
Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12491 et seq.) is amended by
inserting after section 41411 the following:

``SEC. 41412. COMPLIANCE REVIEWS.

``(a) Annual Compliance Reviews.--Each appropriate agency
administering a covered housing program shall establish a
process by which to review compliance with the requirements
of this subtitle, on an annual basis, of the covered housing
providers administered by that agency. Such a review shall
examine the following topics:
``(1) Covered housing provider compliance with requirements
prohibiting the denial of assistance, tenancy, or occupancy
rights on the basis of domestic violence, dating violence,
sexual assault, or stalking.
``(2) Covered housing provider compliance with
confidentiality provisions set forth in section 41411(c)(4).
``(3) Covered housing provider compliance with the
notification requirements set forth in section 41411(d)(2).
``(4) Covered housing provider compliance with accepting
documentation set forth in section 41411(c).
``(5) Covered housing provider compliance with emergency
transfer requirements set forth in section 41411(e).
``(6) Covered housing provider compliance with the
prohibition on retaliation set forth in section 41414.
``(b) Regulations.--Each appropriate agency shall issue
regulations to implement subsection (a) not later than one
year after the effective date of the Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act of 2019. These regulations shall--
``(1) define standards of compliance for covered housing
providers;
``(2) include detailed reporting requirements, including
the number of emergency transfers requested and granted, as
well as the length of time needed to process emergency
transfers, disaggregated by external and internal transfers;
and
``(3) include standards for corrective action plans where a
covered housing provider has failed to meet compliance
standards.
``(c) Public Disclosure.--Each appropriate agency shall
ensure that an agency-level assessment of the information
collected during the compliance review process completed
pursuant to this subsection is made publicly available. This
agency-level assessment shall include an evaluation of each
topic identified in subsection (a).
``(d) Rules of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall
be construed--
``(1) to limit any claim filed or other proceeding
commenced, by the date of enactment of the Violence Against
Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, with regard to any right,
remedy, or procedure otherwise available under the Violence
Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-
162, 119 Stat. 2960), as in effect on the day prior to such
date of enactment; or
``(2) to supersede any provision of any Federal, State, or
local law that provides greater protection than this
subsection for victims of domestic violence, dating violence,
sexual assault, or stalking.

``SEC. 41413. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN DIRECTOR.

``(a) Establishment.--There shall be, within the Office of
the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban
Development, a Violence Against Women Director (in this
section referred to as the `Director').
``(b) Duties.--The Director shall--
``(1) support implementation of the provisions of this
subtitle;
``(2) coordinate development of Federal regulations,
policy, protocols, and guidelines on matters relating to the
implementation of this subtitle, at each agency administering
a covered housing program;
``(3) advise and coordinate with designated officials
within the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness,
the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the
Department of the Treasury, the Department of Agriculture,
the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department
of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Justice concerning
legislation, implementation, and other issues relating to or
affecting the housing provisions under this subtitle;
``(4) provide technical assistance, coordination, and
support to each appropriate agency regarding advancing
housing protections and access to housing for victims of
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and
stalking, including compliance with this subtitle;
``(5) ensure that adequate technical assistance is made
available to covered housing providers regarding
implementation of this subtitle, as well as other issues
related to advancing housing protections for victims of
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and
stalking, including compliance with this subtitle;
``(6) act as a liaison with the judicial branches of
Federal, State, and local governments on matters relating to
the housing needs of victims of domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, and stalking;
``(7) implement a quality control system and a corrective
action plan system for those covered housing providers that
fail to comply with this subtitle, wherein--
``(A) such corrective action plans shall be developed in
partnership with national, State, or local programs focused
on child or adult victims of domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and
``(B) such corrective action plans shall include provisions
requiring covered housing providers to review and develop
appropriate notices, procedures, and staff training to
improve compliance with this subtitle, in partnership with
national, state, or local programs focused on child or adult
victims;
``(8) establish a formal reporting process to receive
individual complaints concerning noncompliance with this
subtitle;
``(9) coordinate the development of interagency guidelines
to ensure that information concerning available dwelling
units is forwarded to the Director by all covered housing
providers for use by the Secretary in facilitating the
emergency transfer process;
``(10) coordinate with HUD regional offices and officials
at each appropriate agency the development of Federal
regulations, policy, protocols, and guidelines regarding
uniform timeframes for the completion of emergency transfers;
and
``(11) ensure that the guidance and notices to victims are
distributed in commonly encountered languages.
``(c) Rules of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall
be construed--
``(1) to limit any claim filed or other proceeding
commenced, by the date of enactment of the Violence Against
Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, with regard to any right,
remedy, or procedure otherwise available under the Violence
Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-
162, 119 Stat. 2960), as in effect on the day prior to such
date of enactment; or
``(2) to supersede any provision of any Federal, State, or
local law that provides greater protection than this
subsection for victims of domestic violence, dating violence,
sexual assault, or stalking.

``SEC. 41414. PROHIBITION ON RETALIATION.

``(a) Nondiscrimination Requirement.--No covered housing
provider shall discriminate against any person because that
person has opposed any act or practice made unlawful by this
subtitle, or because that individual testified, assisted, or
participated in any matter related to this subtitle.
``(b) Prohibition on Coercion.--No covered housing provider
shall coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with, or
retaliate against, any person in the exercise or enjoyment
of, or on account of the person having exercised or enjoyed,
or on account of the person having aided or encouraged any
other individual in the exercise or enjoyment of, any rights
or protections under this subtitle, including--
``(1) intimidating or threatening any person because that
person is assisting or encouraging an individual entitled to
claim the rights or protections under this subtitle; and
``(2) retaliating against any person because that person
has participated in any investigation or action to enforce
this subtitle.
``(c) Enforcement Authority of the Secretary.--The
authority of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
and the Office for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity to
enforce this section shall be the same as the Fair Housing
Act (42 U.S.C. 3610 et seq.).''.

SEC. 603. PROTECTING THE RIGHT TO REPORT CRIME FROM ONE'S
HOME.

(a) In General.--Chapter 2 of subtitle N of title IV of the
Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12491 et seq.),
as amended by this Act, is further amended by inserting after
section 41414 the following:

``SEC. 41415. RIGHT TO REPORT CRIME AND EMERGENCIES FROM
ONE'S HOME.

``(a) In General.--Landlords, homeowners, residents,
occupants, and guests of, and applicants for, housing
assisted under a covered housing program shall have the right
to seek law enforcement or emergency assistance on their own
behalf or on behalf of another person in need of assistance,
and shall not be penalized based on their requests for
assistance or based on criminal activity of which they are a
victim or otherwise not at fault under statutes, ordinances,
regulations, or policies adopted or enforced by covered
governmental entities as defined in subsection (d). Penalties
that are prohibited include--
``(1) actual or threatened assessment of penalties, fees,
or fines;
``(2) actual or threatened eviction;
``(3) actual or threatened refusal to rent or renew
tenancy;
``(4) actual or threatened refusal to issue an occupancy
permit or landlord permit; and
``(5) actual or threatened closure of the property, or
designation of the property as a nuisance or a similarly
negative designation.
``(b) Reporting.--Consistent with the process provided for
in section 104(b) of the Housing and Community Development
Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5304(b)), covered governmental
entities shall--
``(1) report any of their laws or policies, or, as
applicable, the laws or policies adopted by subgrantees, that
impose penalties on landlords, homeowners, residents,
occupants, guests, or housing applicants based on requests
for law enforcement or emergency assistance or based on
criminal activity that occurred at a property; and
``(2) certify that they are in compliance with the
protections under this subtitle or describe the steps they
will take within 180 days to come into compliance, or to
ensure compliance among subgrantees.
``(c) Oversight.--Oversight and accountability mechanisms
provided for under title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968
(42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) shall be available to address
violations of this section.
``(d) Definition.--For purposes of this section, `covered
governmental entity' shall mean any municipal, county, or
state government that receives funding pursuant to section
106 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42
U.S.C. 5306).

[[Page H3020]]

``(e) Subgrantees.--For those covered governmental entities
that distribute funds to subgrantees, compliance with
subsection (b)(1) includes inquiring about the existence of
laws and policies adopted by subgrantees that impose
penalties on landlords, homeowners, residents, occupants,
guests, or housing applicants based on requests for law
enforcement or emergency assistance or based on criminal
activity that occurred at a property.''.
(b) Supporting Effective, Alternative Crime Reduction
Methods.--
(1) Additional authorized use of byrne-jag funds.--Section
501(a)(1) of subpart 1 of part E of title I of the Omnibus
Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C.
10152(a)(1)) is amended by adding after subparagraph (H) the
following:
``(I) Programs for the development and implementation of
alternative methods of reducing crime in communities, to
supplant punitive programs or policies. For purposes of this
subparagraph, a punitive program or policy is a program or
policy that (i) imposes a penalty on a victim of domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, on
the basis of a request by the victim for law enforcement or
emergency assistance; or (ii) imposes a penalty on such a
victim because of criminal activity at the property in which
the victim resides.''.
(2) Additional authorized use of cops funds.--Section
1701(b) of part Q of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and
Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10381(b)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (22), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (23), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(24) to develop and implement alternative methods of
reducing crime in communities, to supplant punitive programs
or policies (as such term is defined in section
501(a)(1)(I)).''.
(3) Additional authorized use of grants to encourage arrest
policies.--Section 2101(b) of part U of title I of the
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C.
10461(b)), as amended by this Act, is further amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(25) To develop and implement alternative methods of
reducing crime in communities, to supplant punitive programs
or policies. For purposes of this paragraph, a punitive
program or policy is a program or policy that (A) imposes a
penalty on a victim of domestic violence, dating violence,
sexual assault, or stalking, on the basis of a request by the
victim for law enforcement or emergency assistance; or (B)
imposes a penalty on such a victim because of criminal
activity at the property in which the victim resides.''.

SEC. 604. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS FOR VICTIMS
OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL
ASSAULT, OR STALKING.

Section 40299 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34
U.S.C. 12351) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1)--
(A) by striking ``the Director of the Violence Against
Women Office'' and inserting ``the Director of the Office on
Violence Against Women''; and
(B) by inserting after ``, other nonprofit, nongovernmental
organizations'' the following: ``, population-specific
organizations''; and
(2) in subsection (g)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and
inserting ``2020 through 2024''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``5 percent'' and
inserting ``8 percent''.

SEC. 605. ADDRESSING THE HOUSING NEEDS OF VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND
STALKING.

(a) McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants.--Section
423(a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 11383(a)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(13) Facilitating and coordinating activities to ensure
compliance with section 41411(e) of the Violence Against
Women Act of 1994, including, in consultation with the
regional office (if applicable) of the appropriate agency (as
such term is defined in section 41411 of the Violence Against
Women Act of 1994), development of external emergency
transfer memoranda of understanding between covered housing
providers, participating in the local Continua of Care,
facilitation of external emergency transfers between those
covered housing providers participating in the local Continua
of Care, and monitoring compliance with the confidentiality
protections of section 41411(c)(4) of the Violence Against
Women Act of 1994 for reporting to that regional office.''.
(b) Definition of Domestic Violence and Other Dangerous or
Life-Threatening Conditions Amended.--Section 103(b) of the
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(b))
is amended to read as follows:
(b) Domestic Violence and Other Dangerous or Life-
Threatening Conditions.--Notwithstanding any other provision
of this section, the Secretary shall consider to be homeless
any individual or family who--
``(1) is fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence,
dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and who have no
other residence and lack resoures to obtain other permanent
housing; or
``(2) is fleeing or attempting to flee a dangerous or life-
threateniing condition in the individual's or family's
current housing situation, including where the health and
safety of children are jeopardized and who have no other
residence and lack the resources or support networks to
obtain other permanent housing.'.
(c) Collaborative Grants To Increase the Long-Term
Stability of Victims.--Section 41404(i) of the Violence
Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12474(i)) is amended by
striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2020 through
2024''.
(d) Grants To Combat Violence Against Women in Public and
Assisted Housing.--Section 41405 of the Violence Against
Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12475) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by striking ``the Director of the
Violence Against Women Office'' and inserting ``the Director
of the Office on Violence Against Women'';
(2) in subsection (c)(2)(D), by inserting after
``linguistically and culturally specific service providers,''
the following: ``population-specific organizations,''; and
(3) in subsection (g), by striking ``2014 through 2018''
and inserting the following: ``2020 through 2024''.

SEC. 606. UNITED STATES HOUSING ACT OF 1937 AMENDMENTS.

Section 5A(d) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42
U.S.C. 1437c-1(d)) is amended--
(1) by amending paragraph (13) to read as follows:
``(13) Domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault,
or stalking programs.--
``(A) Copies.--A copy of--
``(i) all standardized notices issued pursuant to the
housing protections under subtitle N of the Violence Against
Women Act of 1994, including the notice required under
section 41411(d) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994;
``(ii) the emergency transfer plan issued pursuant to
section 41411 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994; and
``(iii) any and all memoranda of understanding with other
covered housing providers developed to facilitate emergency
transfers under section 41411(e) of the Violence Against
Women Act of 1994.
``(B) Descriptions.--A description of--
``(i) any activities, services, or programs provided or
offered by an agency, either directly or in partnership with
other service providers, to child or adult victims of
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or
stalking;
``(ii) any activities, services, or programs provided or
offered by a public housing agency that helps child and adult
victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual
assault, or stalking, to obtain or maintain housing;
``(iii) any activities, services, or programs provided or
offered by a public housing agency to prevent domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, or
to enhance victim safety in assisted families; and
``(iv) all training and support services offered to staff
of the public housing agency to provide a basic understanding
of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and
stalking, and to facilitate implementation of the housing
protections of section 41411 of the Violence Against Women
Act of 1994.''; and
(2) in pararaph (16), by inserting ``the Violence Against
Women Act of 1994,'' before ``the Fair Housing Act''.

TITLE VII--ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR VICTIMS

SEC. 701. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) Over 1 in 3 women experience sexual violence, and 1 in
5 women have survived completed or attempted rape. Such
violence has a devastating impact on women's physical and
emotional health, financial security, and ability to maintain
their jobs, and thus impacts interstate commerce and economic
security.
(2) The Office on Violence Against Women of the Department
of Justice defines domestic violence as a pattern of abusive
behavior in any relationship that is used by one intimate
partner to gain or maintain power and control over another
intimate partner. Domestic violence can include physical,
sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or
threats of actions that influence another person. Domestic
violence includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate,
humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten,
blame, hurt, injure, or wound an individual.
(3) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report
that domestic violence or intimate partner violence is a
serious public health issue for millions of individuals in
the United States. Nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men in the
United States have suffered sexual violence, physical
violence, or stalking by an intimate partner.
(4) Homicide is one of the leading causes of death for
women on the job. Domestic partners or relatives commit 43
percent of workplace homicides against women. One study found
that intimate partner violence resulted in 142 homicides
among women at work in the United States from 2003 to 2008, a
figure which represents 22 percent of the 648 workplace
homicides among women during the period. In fact, in 2010,
homicides against women at work increased by 13 percent
despite continuous declines in overall workplace homicides in
recent years.
(5) Women in the United States are 11 times more likely to
be murdered with guns than women in other high-income
countries. Female intimate partners are more likely to be
murdered with a firearm than all other means combined. The
presence of a gun in domestic violence situations increases
the risk of homicide for women by 500 percent.
(6) Violence can have a dramatic impact on the survivor of
such violence. Studies indicate that 44 percent of surveyed
employed adults experienced the effect of domestic violence
in the workplace, and 64 percent indicated their workplace
performance was affected by such violence. Another recent
survey found that 78 percent of offenders used workplace
resources to express anger, check up on, pressure, or
threaten a survivor. Sexual assault, whether occurring in or
out of the workplace, can impair an employee's work
performance, require time away from work, and undermine the
employee's ability to maintain a job. Nearly 50 percent of
sexual assault survivors lose their jobs or are forced to
quit in the aftermath of the assaults.

[[Page H3021]]

(7) Studies find that 60 percent of single women lack
economic security and 81 percent of households with single
mothers live in economic insecurity. Significant barriers
that survivors confront include access to housing,
transportation, and child care. Ninety-two percent of
homeless women have experienced domestic violence, and more
than 50 percent of such women cite domestic violence as the
direct cause for homelessness. Survivors are deprived of
their autonomy, liberty, and security, and face tremendous
threats to their health and safety.
(8) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report
that survivors of severe intimate partner violence lose
nearly 8,000,000 days of paid work, which is the equivalent
of more than 32,000 full-time jobs and almost 5,600,000 days
of household productivity each year. Therefore, women
disproportionately need time off to care for their health or
to find safety solutions, such as obtaining a restraining
order or finding housing, to avoid or prevent further
violence.
(9) Annual costs of intimate partner violence are estimated
to be more than $8,300,000,000. According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, the costs of intimate partner
violence against women in 1995 exceeded an estimated
$5,800,000,000. These costs included nearly $4,100,000,000 in
the direct costs of medical and mental health care and nearly
$1,800,000,000 in the indirect costs of lost productivity.
These statistics are generally considered to be
underestimated because the costs associated with the criminal
justice system are not included.
(10) Fifty-five percent of senior executives recently
surveyed said domestic violence has a harmful effect on their
company's productivity, and more than 70 percent said
domestic violence negatively affects attendance. Seventy-
eight percent of human resources professionals consider
partner violence a workplace issue. However, more than 70
percent of United States workplaces have no formal program or
policy that addresses workplace violence, let alone domestic
violence. In fact, only four percent of employers provided
training on domestic violence.
(11) Studies indicate that one of the best predictors of
whether a survivor will be able to stay away from his or her
abuser is the degree of his or her economic independence.
However, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault,
and stalking often negatively impact a survivor's ability to
maintain employment.
(12) Abusers frequently seek to exert financial control
over their partners by actively interfering with their
ability to work, including preventing their partners from
going to work, harassing their partners at work, limiting
their partners' access to cash or transportation, and
sabotaging their partners' child care arrangements.
(13) Economic abuse refers to behaviors that control an
intimate partner's ability to acquire, use, and maintain
access to, money, credit, ownership of assets, or access to
governmental or private financial benefits, including
defaulting on joint obligations (such as school loans, credit
card debt, mortgages, or rent). Other forms of such abuse may
include preventing someone from attending school, threatening
to or actually terminating employment, controlling or
withholding access to cash, checking, or credit accounts, and
attempting to damage or sabotage the creditworthiness of an
intimate partner, including forcing an intimate partner to
write bad checks, forcing an intimate partner to default on
payments related to household needs, such as housing, or
forcing an intimate partner into bankruptcy.
(14) The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public
Law 111-148), and the amendments made by such Act, ensures
that most health plans must cover preventive services,
including screening and counseling for domestic violence, at
no additional cost. In addition, it prohibits insurance
companies from discriminating against patients for
preexisting conditions, like domestic violence.
(15) Yet, more can be done to help survivors. Federal law
in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act
does not explicitly--
(A) authorize survivors of domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, or stalking to take leave from work
to seek legal assistance and redress, counseling, or
assistance with safety planning activities;
(B) address the eligibility of survivors of domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking for
unemployment compensation;
(C) provide job protection to survivors of domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking;
(D) prohibit insurers and employers who self-insure
employee benefits from discriminating against survivors of
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or
stalking and those who help them in determining eligibility,
rates charged, and standards for payment of claims; or
(E) prohibit insurers from disclosing information about
abuse and the location of the survivors through insurance
databases and other means.
(16) This Act aims to empower survivors of domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to be
free from violence, hardship, and control, which restrains
basic human rights to freedom and safety in the United
States.

SEC. 702. NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER ON WORKPLACE RESPONSES TO
ASSIST VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE.

Section 41501 of the Violent Crime Control and Law
Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12501) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by inserting ``and sexual harassment'' after ``domestic
and sexual violence''; and
(B) by striking ``employers and labor organizations'' and
inserting ``employers, labor organizations, and victim
service providers'';
(2) in subsection (b)(3), by striking ``and stalking'' and
inserting ``stalking, and sexual harassment'';
(3) in subsection (c)(1), by inserting before the period at
the end ``or sexual harassment'';
(4) in subsection (c)(2)(A), by inserting ``or sexual
harassment'' after ``sexual violence''; and
(5) in subsection (e), by striking ``$1,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``$2,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024''.

SEC. 703. ENTITLEMENT TO UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION FOR
VICTIMS OF SEXUAL AND OTHER HARASSMENT AND
SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT,
OR STALKING.

(a) Unemployment Compensation.--
(1) Section 3304(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
amended by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (18), by
redesignating paragraph (19) as paragraph (20), and by
inserting after paragraph (18) the following new paragraph:
``(19) no person may be denied compensation under such
State law solely on the basis of the individual having a
voluntary separation from work if such separation is
attributable to such individual being a victim of sexual or
other harassment or a survivor of domestic violence, sexual
assault, or stalking; and''.
(2) Section 3304 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(g) Sexual or Other Harassment; etc.--
``(1) Documentation.--For purposes of subsection (a)(19), a
voluntary separation of an individual shall be considered to
be attributable to such individual being a survivor or victim
of sexual or other harassment or a survivor of domestic
violence, sexual assault, or stalking if such individual
submits such evidence as the State deems sufficient.
``(2) Sufficient documentation.--For purposes of paragraph
(1), a State shall deem sufficient, at a minimum--
``(A) evidence of such harassment, violence, assault, or
stalking in the form of--
``(i) a sworn statement and a form of identification,
``(ii) a police or court record, or
``(iii) documentation from a victim service provider, an
attorney, a police officer, a medical professional, a social
worker, an antiviolence counselor, a member of the clergy, or
another professional, and
``(B) an attestation that such voluntary separation is
attributable to such harassment, violence, assault, or
stalking.
``(3) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
``(A) The terms `domestic violence', `sexual assault', and
`stalking' victim of sexual or other harassment', and
`survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking'
have the meanings given such terms under State law,
regulation, or policy.
``(B) The term `victim service provider' has the meaning
given such term in section 40002 of the Violence Against
Women Act of 1994.''.
(b) Unemployment Compensation Personnel Training.--Section
303(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 503(a)) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (12) as
paragraphs (5) through (13), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new
paragraph:
``(4)(A) Such methods of administration as will ensure
that--
``(i) applicants for unemployment compensation and
individuals inquiring about such compensation are notified of
the provisions of section 3304(a)(19) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986; and
``(ii) claims reviewers and hearing personnel are trained
in--
``(I) the nature and dynamics of sexual and other
harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking;
and
``(II) methods of ascertaining and keeping confidential
information about possible experiences of sexual and other
harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking to
ensure that--

``(aa) requests for unemployment compensation based on
separations stemming from sexual and other harassment,
domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking are identified
and adjudicated; and
``(bb) confidentiality is provided for the individual's
claim and submitted evidence.

``(B) For purposes of this paragraph--
``(i) the terms `domestic violence', `sexual assault', and
`stalking' have the meanings given such terms in section
40002 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 ;
``(ii) the term `sexual and other harassment' has the
meaning given such term under State law, regulation, or
policy; and
``(iii) the term `survivor of domestic violence, sexual
assault, or stalking' means--
``(I) a person who has experienced or is experiencing
domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and
``(II) a person whose family or household member has
experienced or is experiencing domestic violence, sexual
assault, or stalking.''.
(c) TANF Personnel Training.--Section 402(a) of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 602(a)) is amended by adding at the
end the following new paragraph:
``(8) Certification that the state will provide information
to survivors of sexual and other harassment, domestic
violence, sexual assault, or stalking.--
``(A) In general.--A certification by the chief executive
officer of the State that the State has established and is
enforcing standards and procedures to--
``(i) ensure that applicants for assistance under the State
program funded under this part

[[Page H3022]]

and individuals inquiring about such assistance are
adequately notified of--

``(I) the provisions of section 3304(a)(19) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986; and
``(II) assistance made available by the State to survivors
of sexual and other harassment, domestic violence, sexual
assault, or stalking;

``(ii) ensure that case workers and other agency personnel
responsible for administering the State program funded under
this part are adequately trained in--

``(I) the nature and dynamics of sexual and other
harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking;
``(II) State standards and procedures relating to the
prevention of, and assistance for individuals who are
survivors of sexual and other harassment, domestic violence,
sexual assault, or stalking; and
``(III) methods of ascertaining and keeping confidential
information about possible experiences of sexual and other
harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking;

``(iii) ensure that, if a State has elected to establish
and enforce standards and procedures regarding the screening
for, and identification of, domestic violence pursuant to
paragraph (7)--

``(I) applicants for assistance under the State program
funded under this part and individuals inquiring about such
assistance are adequately notified of options available under
such standards and procedures; and
``(II) case workers and other agency personnel responsible
for administering the State program funded under this part
are provided with adequate training regarding such standards
and procedures and options available under such standards and
procedures; and

``(iv) ensure that the training required under
subparagraphs (B) and, if applicable, (C)(ii) is provided
through a training program operated by an eligible entity.
``(B) Definitions.--For purposes of this paragraph--
``(i) the terms `domestic violence', `sexual assault', and
`stalking' have the meanings given such terms in section
40002 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 ;
``(ii) the term `sexual and other harassment' has the
meaning given such term under State law, regulation, or
policy; and
``(iii) the term `survivor of domestic violence, sexual
assault, or stalking' means--

``(I) a person who has experienced or is experiencing
domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and
``(II) a person whose family or household member has
experienced or is experiencing domestic violence, sexual
assault, or stalking.''.

(d) Sexual and Other Harassment, Domestic Violence, Sexual
Assault, or Stalking Training Grant Program.--
(1) Grants authorized.--The Secretary of Labor (in this
subsection referred to as the ``Secretary'') is authorized to
award--
(A) a grant to a national victim service provider in order
for such organization to--
(i) develop and disseminate a model training program (and
related materials) for the training required under section
303(a)(4)(B) of the Social Security Act, as added by
subsection (b), and under subparagraph (B) and, if
applicable, subparagraph (C)(ii) of section 402(a)(8) of such
Act, as added by subsection (c); and
(ii) provide technical assistance with respect to such
model training program, including technical assistance to the
temporary assistance for needy families program and
unemployment compensation personnel; and
(B) grants to State, tribal, or local agencies in order for
such agencies to contract with eligible entities to provide
State, tribal, or local caseworkers and other State, tribal,
or local agency personnel responsible for administering the
temporary assistance for needy families program established
under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act in a
State or Indian reservation with the training required under
subparagraph (B) and, if applicable, subparagraph (C)(ii) of
such section 402(a)(8).
(2) Eligible entity defined.--For purposes of paragraph
(1)(B), the term ``eligible entity'' means an entity--
(A) that is--
(i) a State or tribal domestic violence coalition or sexual
assault coalition;
(ii) a State or local victim service provider with
recognized expertise in the dynamics of domestic violence,
sexual assault, or stalking whose primary mission is to
provide services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual
assault, or stalking, including a rape crisis center or
domestic violence program; or
(iii) an organization with demonstrated expertise in State
or county welfare laws and implementation of such laws and
experience with disseminating information on such laws and
implementation, but only if such organization will provide
the required training in partnership with an entity described
in clause (i) or (ii); and
(B) that--
(i) has demonstrated expertise in the dynamics of both
domestic violence and sexual assault, such as a joint
domestic violence and sexual assault coalition; or
(ii) will provide the required training in partnership with
an entity described in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A)
in order to comply with the dual domestic violence and sexual
assault expertise requirement under clause (i).
(3) Application.--An entity seeking a grant under this
subsection shall submit an application to the Secretary at
such time, in such form and manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary specifies.
(4) Reports.--
(A) Reports to congress.--Not later than a year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter,
the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the grant
program established under this subsection.
(B) Reports available to public.--The Secretary shall
establish procedures for the dissemination to the public of
each report submitted under subparagraph (A). Such procedures
shall include the use of the internet to disseminate such
reports.
(5) Authorization of appropriations.--
(A) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated--
(i) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2020 to carry out the
provisions of paragraph (1)(A); and
(ii) $12,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024
to carry out the provisions of paragraph (1)(B).
(B) Three-year availability of grant funds.--Each recipient
of a grant under this subsection shall return to the
Secretary any unused portion of such grant not later than 3
years after the date the grant was awarded, together with any
earnings on such unused portion.
(C) Amounts returned.--Any amounts returned pursuant to
subparagraph (B) shall be available without further
appropriation to the Secretary for the purpose of carrying
out the provisions of paragraph (1)(B).
(e) Effect on Existing Laws, etc.--
(1) More protective laws, agreements, programs, and
plans.--Nothing in this title shall be construed to supersede
any provision of any Federal, State, or local law, collective
bargaining agreement, or employment benefits program or plan
that provides greater unemployment insurance benefits for
survivors of sexual and other harassment, domestic violence,
sexual assault, or stalking than the rights established under
this title.
(2) Less protective laws, agreements, programs, and
plans.--Any law, collective bargaining agreement, or
employment benefits program or plan of a State or unit of
local government is preempted to the extent that such law,
agreement, or program or plan would impair the exercise of
any right established under this title or the amendments made
by this title.
(f) Effective Date.--
(1) Unemployment amendments.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B) and
paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section shall
apply in the case of compensation paid for weeks beginning on
or after the expiration of the 180-day period beginning on
the date of enactment of this Act.
(B) Extension of effective date for state law amendment.--
(i) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), in a
case in which the Secretary of Labor identifies a State as
requiring a change to its statutes, regulations, or policies
in order to comply with the amendments made by this section,
such amendments shall apply in the case of compensation paid
for weeks beginning after the earlier of--

(I) the date the State changes its statutes, regulations,
or policies in order to comply with such amendments; or
(II) the end of the first session of the State legislature
which begins after the date of enactment of this Act or which
began prior to such date and remained in session for at least
25 calendar days after such date, except that in no case
shall such amendments apply before the date that is 180 days
after the date of enactment of this Act.

(ii) Session defined.--In this subparagraph, the term
``session'' means a regular, special, budget, or other
session of a State legislature.
(2) TANF amendment.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B),
the amendment made by subsection (c) shall take effect on the
date of enactment of this Act.
(B) Extension of effective date for state law amendment.--
In the case of a State plan under part A of title IV of the
Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human
Services determines requires State action (including
legislation, regulation, or other administrative action) in
order for the plan to meet the additional requirements
imposed by the amendment made by subsection (c), the State
plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the
requirements of such amendment on the basis of its failure to
meet these additional requirements before the first day of
the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the
first regular session of the State legislature that begins
after the date of enactment of this Act. For purposes of the
previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a two-year
legislative session, each year of the session is considered
to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.
(g) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``domestic
violence'', ``sexual assault'', ``stalking'', ``survivor of
domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking'', and
``victim service provider'' have the meanings given such
terms in section 3304(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986.

SEC. 704. STUDY AND REPORTS ON BARRIERS TO SURVIVORS'
ECONOMIC SECURITY ACCESS.

(a) Study.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in
consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall conduct a
study on the barriers that survivors of domestic violence,
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking throughout the
United States experience in maintaining economic security as
a result of issues related to domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
(b) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this title, and every 5 years thereafter, the
Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with
the Secretary of Labor, shall submit a report to Congress on
the study conducted under subsection (a).
(c) Contents.--The study and reports under this section
shall include--
(1) identification of geographic areas in which State laws,
regulations, and practices have a

[[Page H3023]]

strong impact on the ability of survivors of domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to
exercise--
(A) any rights under this Act without compromising personal
safety or the safety of others, including family members and
excluding the abuser; and
(B) other components of economic security;
(2) identification of geographic areas with shortages in
resources for such survivors, with an accompanying analysis
of the extent and impact of such shortage;
(3) analysis of factors related to industries, workplace
settings, employer practices, trends, and other elements that
impact the ability of such survivors to exercise any rights
under this Act without compromising personal safety or the
safety of others, including family members;
(4) the recommendations of the Secretary of Health and
Human Services and the Secretary of Labor with respect to
resources, oversight, and enforcement tools to ensure
successful implementation of the provisions of this Act in
order to support the economic security and safety of
survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual
assault, or stalking; and
(5) best practices for States, employers, health carriers,
insurers, and other private entities in addressing issues
related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual
assault, or stalking.

SEC. 705. GAO STUDY.

Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall
submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions of the Senate a report that examines, with respect
to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual
assault, or stalking who are, or were, enrolled at
institutions of higher education and borrowed a loan made,
insured, or guaranteed under title IV of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.) for which the survivors
have not repaid the total interest and principal due, each of
the following:
(1) The implications of domestic violence, dating violence,
sexual assault, or stalking on a borrower's ability to repay
their Federal student loans.
(2) The adequacy of policies and procedures regarding
Federal student loan deferment, forbearance, and grace
periods when a survivor has to suspend or terminate the
survivor's enrollment at an institution of higher education
due to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or
stalking.
(3) The adequacy of institutional policies and practices
regarding retention or transfer of credits when a survivor
has to suspend or terminate the survivor's enrollment at an
institution of higher education due to domestic violence,
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
(4) The availability or any options for a survivor of
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or
stalking who attended an institution of higher education that
committed unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices, or
otherwise substantially misrepresented information to
students, to be able to seek a defense to repayment of the
survivor's Federal student loan.
(5) The limitations faced by a survivor of domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to
obtain any relief or restitution on the survivor's Federal
student loan debt due to the use of forced arbitration, gag
orders, or bans on class actions.

SEC. 706. EDUCATION AND INFORMATION PROGRAMS FOR SURVIVORS.

(a) Public Education Campaign.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Labor, in conjunction
with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (through the
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
and the grant recipient under section 41501 of the Violence
Against Women Act of 1994 that establishes the national
resource center on workplace responses to assist victims of
domestic and sexual violence) and the Attorney General
(through the Principal Deputy Director of the Office on
Violence Against Women), shall coordinate and provide for a
national public outreach and education campaign to raise
public awareness of the workplace impact of domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking,
including outreach and education for employers, service
providers, teachers, and other key partners. This campaign
shall pay special attention to ensure that survivors are made
aware of the existence of the following types of workplace
laws (federal and/or State): anti-discrimination laws that
bar treating survivors differently; leave laws, both paid and
unpaid that are available for use by survivors; unemployment
insurance laws and policies that address survivor
eligibility.
(2) Dissemination.--The Secretary of Labor, in conjunction
with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the
Attorney General, as described in paragraph (1), may
disseminate information through the public outreach and
education campaign on the resources and rights referred to in
this subsection directly or through arrangements with health
agencies, professional and nonprofit organizations, consumer
groups, labor organizations, institutions of higher
education, clinics, the media, and Federal, State, and local
agencies.
(3) Information.--The information disseminated under
paragraph (2) shall include, at a minimum, a description of--
(A) the resources and rights that are--
(i) available to survivors of domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and
(ii) established in this Act and the Violence Against Women
Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C.12291 et seq.);
(B) guidelines and best practices on prevention of domestic
violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault;
(C) resources that promote healthy relationships and
communication skills;
(D) resources that encourage bystander intervention in a
situation involving domestic violence, dating violence,
stalking, or sexual assault;
(E) resources that promote workplace policies that support
and help maintain the economic security of survivors of
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or
stalking; and
(F) resources and rights that the heads of Federal agencies
described in paragraph (2) determine are appropriate to
include.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Employee.--
(A) In general.--The term ``employee'' means any individual
employed by an employer. In the case of an individual
employed by a public agency, such term means an individual
employed as described in section 3(e)(2) of the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(e)(2)).
(B) Basis.--The term includes a person employed as
described in subparagraph (A) on a full- or part-time basis,
for a fixed time period, on a temporary basis, pursuant to a
detail, or as a participant in a work assignment as a
condition of receipt of Federal or State income-based public
assistance.
(2) Employer.--The term ``employer''--
(A) means any person engaged in commerce or in any industry
or activity affecting commerce who employs 15 or more
individuals; and
(B) includes any person acting directly or indirectly in
the interest of an employer in relation to an employee, and
includes a public agency that employs individuals as
described in section 3(e)(2) of the Fair Labor Standards Act
of 1938, but does not include any labor organization (other
than when acting as an employer) or anyone acting in the
capacity of officer or agent of such labor organization.
(3) FLSA terms.--The terms ``employ'' and ``State'' have
the meanings given the terms in section 3 of the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203).
(c) Study on Workplace Responses.--The Secretary of Labor,
in conjunction with the Secretary of Health and Human
Services, shall conduct a study on the status of workplace
responses to employees who experience domestic violence,
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking while employed,
in each State and nationally, to improve the access of
survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual
assault, or stalking to supportive resources and economic
security.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section, such sums as
may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024.

SEC. 707. SEVERABILITY.

If any provision of this Act, any amendment made by this
Act, or the application of such provision or amendment to any
person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the
remainder of the provisions of this Act, the amendments made
by this Act, and the application of such provisions or
amendments to any person or circumstance shall not be
affected.

TITLE VIII--HOMICIDE REDUCTION INITIATIVES

SEC. 801. PROHIBITING PERSONS CONVICTED OF MISDEMEANOR CRIMES
AGAINST DATING PARTNERS AND PERSONS SUBJECT TO
PROTECTION ORDERS.

Section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (32), by striking all that follows after
``The term `intimate partner' '' and inserting the following:
``--
``(A) means, with respect to a person, the spouse of the
person, a former spouse of the person, an individual who is a
parent of a child of the person, and an individual who
cohabitates or has cohabited with the person; and
``(B) includes--
``(i) a dating partner or former dating partner (as defined
in section 2266); and
``(ii) any other person similarly situated to a spouse who
is protected by the domestic or family violence laws of the
State or tribal jurisdiction in which the injury occurred or
where the victim resides.'';
(2) in paragraph (33)(A)--
(A) in clause (i), by inserting after ``Federal, State,''
the following: ``municipal,''; and
(B) in clause (ii), by inserting ``intimate partner,''
after ``spouse,'' each place it appears;
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (34) and (35) as paragraphs
(35) and (36) respectively; and
(4) by inserting after paragraph (33) the following:
``(34)(A) The term `misdemeanor crime of stalking' means an
offense that--
``(i) is a misdemeanor crime of stalking under Federal,
State, Tribal, or municipal law; and
``(ii) is a course of harassment, intimidation, or
surveillance of another person that--
``(I) places that person in reasonable fear of material
harm to the health or safety of--
``(aa) that person;
``(bb) an immediate family member (as defined in section
115) of that person;
``(cc) a household member of that person; or
``(dd) a spouse or intimate partner of that person; or
``(II) causes, attempts to cause, or would reasonably be
expected to cause emotional distress to a person described in
item (aa), (bb), (cc), or (dd) of subclause (I).
``(B) A person shall not be considered to have been
convicted of such an offense for purposes of this chapter,
unless--
``(i) the person was represented by counsel in the case, or
knowingly and intelligently waived the right to counsel in
the case; and
``(ii) in the case of a prosecution for an offense
described in this paragraph for which a person was entitled
to a jury trial in the jurisdiction in which the case was
tried, either--
``(I) the case was tried by a jury; or
``(II) the person knowingly and intelligently waived the
right to have the case tried by a jury, by guilty plea or
otherwise.

[[Page H3024]]

``(C) A person shall not be considered to have been
convicted of such an offense for purposes of this chapter if
the conviction has been expunged or set aside, or is an
offense for which the person has been pardoned or has had
civil rights restored (if the law of the applicable
jurisdiction provides for the loss of civil rights under such
an offense) unless the pardon, expungement, or restoration of
civil rights expressly provides that the person may not ship,
transport, possess, or receive firearms.''.

SEC. 802. PROHIBITING STALKERS AND INDIVIDUALS SUBJECT TO
COURT ORDER FROM POSSESSING A FIREARM.

Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (8), by striking ``that restrains such
person'' and all that follows, and inserting ``described in
subsection (g)(8);'';
(B) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; or'';
(C) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:
``(10) who has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor
crime of stalking.''; and
(2) in subsection (g)--
(A) by amending paragraph (8) to read as follows:
``(8) who is subject to a court order--
``(A) that was issued--
``(i) after a hearing of which such person received actual
notice, and at which such person had an opportunity to
participate; or
``(ii) in the case of an ex parte order, relative to which
notice and opportunity to be heard are provided--

``(I) within the time required by State, tribal, or
territorial law; and
``(II) in any event within a reasonable time after the
order is issued, sufficient to protect the due process rights
of the person;

``(B) that restrains such person from--
``(i) harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate
partner of such person or child of such intimate partner or
person, or engaging in other conduct that would place an
intimate partner in reasonable fear of bodily injury to the
partner or child; or
``(ii) intimidating or dissuading a witness from testifying
in court; and
``(C) that--
``(i) includes a finding that such person represents a
credible threat to the physical safety of such individual
described in subparagraph (B); or
``(ii) by its terms explicitly prohibits the use, attempted
use, or threatened use of physical force against such
individual described in subparagraph (B) that would
reasonably be expected to cause bodily injury;'';
(B) in paragraph (9), by striking the comma at the end and
inserting ``; or''; and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:
``(10) who has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor
crime of stalking,''.

TITLE IX--SAFETY FOR INDIAN WOMEN

SEC. 901. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) American Indians and Alaska Natives are 2.5 times as
likely to experience violent crimes--and at least 2 times
more likely to experience rape or sexual assault crimes--
compared to all other races.
(2) More than 4 in 5 American Indian and Alaska Native
women, or 84.3 percent, have experienced violence in their
lifetime.
(3) The vast majority of Native victims--96% of women and
89% of male victims--report being victimized by a non-Indian.
(4) Native victims of sexual violence are three times as
likely to have experienced sexual violence by an interracial
perpetrator as non-Hispanic White victims and Native stalking
victims are nearly 4 times as likely to be stalked by someone
of a different race.
(5) While tribes exercising jurisdiction over non-Indians
have reported significant successes, the inability to
prosecute crimes related to the Special Domestic Violence
Criminal Jurisdiction crimes continues to leave Tribes unable
to fully hold domestic violence offenders accountable.
(6) Tribal prosecutors report that the majority of domestic
violence cases involve children either as witnesses or
victims, and Department of Justice reports that American
Indian and Alaska Native children suffer exposure to violence
at rates higher than any other race in the United States.
(7) Childhood exposure to violence has immediate and long-
term effects, including: increased rates of altered
neurological development, poor physical and mental health,
poor school performance, substance abuse, and
overrepresentation in the juvenile justice system.
(8) According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, homicide is the third leading cause of death
among American Indian and Alaska Native women between 10 and
24 years of age and the fifth leading cause of death for
American Indian and Alaska Native women between 25 and 34
years of age.
(9) On some reservations, Indian women are murdered at more
than 10 times the national average.
(10) According to a 2010 Government Accountability Office
report, United States Attorneys declined to prosecute nearly
52 percent of violent crimes that occur in Indian country.
(11) Investigation into cases of missing and murdered
Indian women is made difficult for tribal law enforcement
agencies due to a lack of resources, such as--
(A) necessary training, equipment, or funding;
(B) a lack of interagency cooperation; and
(C) a lack of appropriate laws in place.
(12) Domestic violence calls are among the most dangerous
calls that law enforcement receives.
(13) The complicated jurisdictional scheme that exists in
Indian country--
(A) has a significant negative impact on the ability to
provide public safety to Indian communities;
(B) has been increasingly exploited by criminals; and
(C) requires a high degree of commitment and cooperation
among tribal, Federal, and State law enforcement officials.
(14) Restoring and enhancing local, tribal capacity to
address violence against women provides for greater local
control, safety, accountability, and transparency.
(15) In States with restrictive land settlement acts such
as Alaska, ``Indian country'' is limited, resources for local
tribal responses either nonexistent or insufficient to meet
the needs, jurisdiction unnecessarily complicated and
increases the already high levels of victimization of
American Indian and Alaska Native women. According to the
Tribal Law and Order Act Commission Report, Alaska Native
women are over-represented in the domestic violence victim
population by 250 percent; they comprise 19 percent of the
State population, but are 47 percent of reported rape
victims. And among other Indian Tribes, Alaska Native women
suffer the highest rates of domestic and sexual violence in
the country.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this title are--
(1) to clarify the responsibilities of Federal, State,
tribal, and local governments with respect to responding to
cases of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking,
trafficking, sexual violence, crimes against children, and
assault against tribal law enforcement officers and murdered
Indians;
(2) to increase coordination and communication among
Federal, State, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies;
and
(3) to empower tribal governments with the resources and
information necessary to effectively respond to cases of
domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sex
trafficking, sexual violence, and missing and murdered
Indians; and
(4) to increase the collection of data related to missing
and murdered Indians and the sharing of information among
Federal, State, and tribal officials responsible for
responding to and investigating cases of missing and murdered
Indians.

SEC. 902. AUTHORIZING FUNDING FOR THE TRIBAL ACCESS PROGRAM.

Section 534 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020
through 2024, to remain available until expended, for the
purposes of enhancing the ability of tribal government
entities to access, enter information into, and obtain
information from, Federal criminal information databases, as
authorized by this section.''.

SEC. 903. TRIBAL JURISDICTION OVER CRIMES OF DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, OBSTRUCTION OF
JUSTICE, SEXUAL VIOLENCE, SEX TRAFFICKING,
STALKING, AND ASSAULT OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICER OR CORRECTIONS OFFICER.

Section 204 of Public Law 90-284 (25 U.S.C. 1304) (commonly
known as the ``Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968'') is
amended--
(1) in the heading, by striking ``crimes of domestic
violence'' and inserting ``crimes of domestic violence,
dating violence, obstruction of justice, sexual violence, sex
trafficking, stalking, and assault of a law enforcement or
corrections officer'';
(2) in subsection (a)(6), in the heading, by striking
``Special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction'' and
inserting ``Special tribal criminal jurisdiction'';
(3) by striking ``special domestic violence criminal
jurisdiction'' each place such term appears and inserting
``special tribal criminal jurisdiction'';
(4) in subsection (a)--
(A) by adding at the end the following:
``(12) Stalking.--The term `stalking' means engaging in a
course of conduct directed at a specific person proscribed by
the criminal law of the Indian tribe that has jurisdiction
over the Indian country where the violation occurs that would
cause a reasonable person to--
``(A) fear for the person's safety or the safety of others;
or
``(B) suffer substantial emotional distress.'';
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (6) and (7) as paragraphs
(10) and (11);
(C) by inserting before paragraph (10) (as redesignated)
the following:
``(8) Sex trafficking.--
``(A) In general.--The term `sex trafficking' means
conduct--
``(i) consisting of--

``(I) recruiting, enticing, harboring, transporting,
providing, obtaining, advertising, maintaining, patronizing,
or soliciting by any means a person; or
``(II) benefitting, financially or by receiving anything of
value, from participation in a venture that has engaged in an
act described in subclause (I); and

``(ii) carried out with the knowledge, or, except where the
act constituting the violation of clause (i) is advertising,
in reckless disregard of the fact, that--

``(I) means of force, threats of force, fraud, coercion, or
any combination of such means will be used to cause the
person to engage in a commercial sex act; or
``(II) the person has not attained the age of 18 years and
will be caused to engage in a commercial sex act.

``(B) Definitions.--In this paragraph, the terms `coercion'
and `commercial sex act' have the meanings given the terms in
section 1591(e) of title 18, United States Code.
``(9) Sexual violence.--The term `sexual violence' means
any nonconsensual sexual act or

[[Page H3025]]

contact proscribed by the criminal law of the Indian tribe
that has jurisdiction over the Indian country where the
violation occurs, including in any case in which the victim
lacks the capacity to consent to the act.'';
(D) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs
(6) and (7);
(E) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as
paragraphs (2) through (4);
(F) in paragraph (3) (as redesignated), to read as follows:
``(3) Domestic violence.--The term `domestic violence'
means violence--
``(A) committed by a current or former spouse or intimate
partner of the victim, by a person with whom the victim
shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating
with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or
intimate partner, or by a person similarly situated to a
spouse of the victim under the domestic- or family- violence
laws of an Indian tribe that has jurisdiction over the Indian
country where the violence occurs; or
``(B) committed against a victim who is a child under the
age of 18, or an elder (as such term is defined by tribal
law) who resides or has resided in the same household as the
defendant.'';
(G) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as redesignated),
the following:
``(1) Assault of a law enforcement or correctional
officer.--The term `assault of a law enforcement or
correctional officer' means any criminal violation of the law
of the Indian tribe that has jurisdiction over the Indian
country where the violation occurs that involves the
threatened, attempted, or actual harmful or offensive
touching of a law enforcement or correctional officer.'';
(H) by inserting after paragraph (4) (as redesignated), the
following:
``(5) Obstruction of justice.--The term `obstruction of
justice' means any violation of the criminal law of the
Indian tribe that has jurisdiction over the Indian country
where the violation occurs, and the violation involves
interfering with the administration or due process of the
tribe's laws including any tribal criminal proceeding or
investigation of a crime.'';
(5) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting after ``the powers
of self-government of a participating tribe'' the following:
``, including any participating tribes in the State of
Maine,''
(6) in subsection (b)(4)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)(i), by inserting after ``over an
alleged offense'' the following: ``, other than obstruction
of justice or an act of assault of a law enforcement or
corrections officer,''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) in clause (ii), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(ii) in clause (iii)(II), by striking the period at the end
and inserting the following: ``; or''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(iv) is being prosecuted for a crime of sexual violence,
stalking, sex trafficking, obstructing justice, or assaulting
a police or corrections officer under the laws of the
prosecuting tribe.'';
(7) in subsection (c)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``domestic violence'' and inserting ``tribal''; and
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``and dating
violence'' and inserting ``, dating violence, obstruction of
justice, sexual violence, stalking, sex trafficking, or
assault of a law enforcement or corrections officer''; and
(ii) by striking ``or dating violence'' and inserting ``,
dating violence, obstruction of justice, sexual violence,
stalking, sex trafficking, or assault of a law enforcement or
corrections officer'';
(8) in subsection (d), by striking ``domestic violence''
each place it appears and inserting ``tribal'';
(9) in subsection (f)--
(A) by striking ``special domestic violence'' each place it
appears and inserting ``special tribal'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``prosecutes'' and all
that follows through the semicolon at the end and inserting
the following: ``prosecutes--
``(A) a crime of domestic violence;
``(B) a crime of dating violence;
``(C) a criminal violation of a protection order;
``(D) a crime of sexual violence;
``(E) a crime of stalking;
``(F) a crime of sex trafficking;
``(G) a crime of obstruction of justice; or
``(H) a crime of assault of a law enforcement or
correctional officer;'';
(C) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``sexual violence,
stalking, sex trafficking, obstruction of justice, assault of
a law enforcement or correctional officer,'' after ``dating
violence,''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) to create a pilot project to allow up to five Indian
tribes in Alaska to implement special tribal criminal
jurisdiction.'';
(10) by redesignating subsections (g) and (h) as
subsections (h) and (i), respectively;
(11) by inserting after subsection (f) the following:
``(g) Indian Country Defined.--For purposes of the pilot
project described in subsection (f)(5), the definition of
`Indian country' shall include Alaska Native-owned Townsites,
Allotments, and former reservation lands acquired in fee by
Alaska Native Village Corporations pursuant to the Alaska
Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 33) and other lands
transferred in fee to Native villages.''.
(12) in subsection (i) (as redesignated) by striking
``fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``fiscal
years 2020 through 2024''.

SEC. 904. ANNUAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

Beginning in the first fiscal year after the date of
enactment of this title, and annually thereafter, the
Attorney General and the Secretary of the Interior shall
jointly prepare and submit a report, to the Committee on
Indian Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary of the
Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources and the
Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives,
that--
(1) includes known statistics on missing and murdered
Indian women in the United States, including statistics
relating to incidents of sexual abuse or sexual assault
suffered by the victims; and
(2) provides recommendations regarding how to improve data
collection on missing and murdered Indian women.

TITLE X--OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

SEC. 1001. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.

(a) Establishment of Office on Violence Against Women.--
Section 2002 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe
Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10442) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``a Violence Against
Women Office'' and inserting ``an Office on Violence Against
Women'';
(2) in subsection (b), by inserting after ``within the
Department of Justice'' the following: ``, not subsumed by
any other office'';
(3) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``Violence Against
Women Act of 1994 (title VI of Public 103-322) and the
Violence Against Women Act of 2000 (Division B of Public Law
106-386)'' and inserting ``Violence Against Women Act of 1994
(title VI1 of Public 103-322), the Violence Against Women Act
of 2000 (Division B of Public Law 106-386), the Violence
Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act
of 2005 (title IX of Public Law 109-162; 119 Stat. 3080), the
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (Public
Law 113-4; 127 Stat. 54), and the Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act of 2019''.
(b) Director of the Office on Violence Against Women.--
Section 2003 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets
Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10443) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 2003. DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST
WOMEN.

``(a) Appointment.--The President, by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate, shall appoint a Director for the
Office on Violence Against Women (in this title referred to
as the `Director') to be responsible, under the general
authority of the Attorney General, for the administration,
coordination, and implementation of the programs and
activities of the Office.
``(b) Other Employment.--The Director shall not--
``(1) engage in any employment other than that of serving
as Director; or
``(2) hold any office in, or act in any capacity for, any
organization, agency, or institution with which the Office
makes any contract or other agreement under the Violence
Against Women Act of 1994 (title IV of Public Law 103-322),
the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 (division B of Public
Law 106-386), the Violence Against Women and Department of
Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (title IX of Public Law
109-162; 119 Stat. 3080), the Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act of 2013 (Public Law 113-4; 127 Stat. 54),
or the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019.
``(c) Vacancy.--In the case of a vacancy, the President may
designate an officer or employee who shall act as Director
during the vacancy.
``(d) Compensation.--The Director shall be compensated at a
rate of pay not to exceed the rate payable for level V of the
Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United
States Code.''.
(c) Duties and Functions of Director of the Office on
Violence Against Women.--Section 2004 of the Omnibus Crime
Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10444) is
amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 2004. DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE
ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.

``The Director shall have the following duties:
``(1) Maintaining liaison with the judicial branches of the
Federal and State Governments on matters relating to violence
against women.
``(2) Providing information to the President, the Congress,
the judiciary, State, local, and tribal governments, and the
general public on matters relating to violence against women.
``(3) Serving, at the request of the Attorney General, as
the representative of the Department of Justice on domestic
task forces, committees, or commissions addressing policy or
issues relating to violence against women.
``(4) Serving, at the request of the President, acting
through the Attorney General, as the representative of the
United States Government on human rights and economic justice
matters related to violence against women in international
fora, including, but not limited to, the United Nations.
``(5) Carrying out the functions of the Department of
Justice under the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (title
IV of Public Law 103-322), the Violence Against Women Act of
2000 (division B of Public Law 106-386), the Violence Against
Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005
(title IX of Public Law 109-162; 119 Stat. 3080), the
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (Public
Law 113-4; 127 Stat. 54), and the Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act of 2019, including with respect to those
functions--
``(A) the development of policy, protocols, and guidelines;
``(B) the development and management of grant programs and
other programs, and the provision of technical assistance
under such programs; and
``(C) the awarding and termination of grants, cooperative
agreements, and contracts.
``(6) Providing technical assistance, coordination, and
support to--
``(A) other components of the Department of Justice, in
efforts to develop policy and to enforce Federal laws
relating to violence against

[[Page H3026]]

women, including the litigation of civil and criminal actions
relating to enforcing such laws;
``(B) other Federal, State, local, and tribal agencies, in
efforts to develop policy, provide technical assistance,
synchronize federal definitions and protocols, and improve
coordination among agencies carrying out efforts to eliminate
violence against women, including Indian or indigenous women;
and
``(C) grantees, in efforts to combat violence against women
and to provide support and assistance to victims of such
violence.
``(7) Exercising such other powers and functions as may be
vested in the Director pursuant to this subchapter or by
delegation of the Attorney General.
``(8) Establishing such rules, regulations, guidelines, and
procedures as are necessary to carry out any function of the
Office.''.
(d) Staff of Office on Violence Against Women.--Section
2005 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of
1968 (34 U.S.C. 10445) is amended in the heading, by striking
``violence against women office'' and inserting ``office on
violence against women''.
(e) Clerical Amendment.--Section 121(a)(1) of the Violence
Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act
of 2005 (34 U.S.C. 20124(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``the
Violence Against Women Office'' and inserting ``the Office on
Violence Against Women''.

TITLE XI--IMPROVING CONDITIONS FOR WOMEN IN FEDERAL CUSTODY

SEC. 1101. IMPROVING THE TREATMENT OF PRIMARY CARETAKER
PARENTS AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS IN FEDERAL
PRISONS.

(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Ramona
Brant Improvement of Conditions for Women in Federal Custody
Act''.
(b) In General.--Chapter 303 of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``Sec. 4051. Treatment of primary caretaker parents and other
individuals

``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
``(1) the term `correctional officer' means a correctional
officer of the Bureau of Prisons;
``(2) the term `covered institution' means a Federal penal
or correctional institution;
``(3) the term `Director' means the Director of the Bureau
of Prisons;
``(4) the term `post-partum recovery' means the first 8-
week period of post-partum recovery after giving birth;
``(5) the term `primary caretaker parent' has the meaning
given the term in section 31903 of the Family Unity
Demonstration Project Act (34 U.S.C. 12242);
``(6) the term `prisoner' means an individual who is
incarcerated in a Federal penal or correctional institution,
including a vulnerable person; and
``(7) the term `vulnerable person' means an individual
who--
``(A) is under 21 years of age or over 60 years of age;
``(B) is pregnant;
``(C) identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or
intersex;
``(D) is victim or witness of a crime;
``(E) has filed a nonfrivolous civil rights claim in
Federal or State court;
``(F) has a serious mental or physical illness or
disability; or
``(G) during the period of incarceration, has been
determined to have experienced or to be experiencing severe
trauma or to be the victim of gender-based violence--
``(i) by any court or administrative judicial proceeding;
``(ii) by any corrections official;
``(iii) by the individual's attorney or legal service
provider; or
``(iv) by the individual.
``(b) Geographic Placement.--
``(1) Establishment of office.--The Director shall
establish within the Bureau of Prisons an office that
determines the placement of prisoners.
``(2) Placement of prisoners.--In determining the placement
of a prisoner, the office established under paragraph (1)
shall--
``(A) if the prisoner has children, place the prisoner as
close to the children as possible;
``(B) in deciding whether to assign a transgender or
intersex prisoner to a facility for male or female prisoners,
and in making other housing and programming assignments,
consider on a case-by-case basis whether a placement would
ensure the prisoner's health and safety, including serious
consideration of the prisoner's own views with respect to
their safety, and whether the placement would present
management or security problems; and
``(C) consider any other factor that the office determines
to be appropriate.
``(c) Prohibition on Placement of Pregnant Prisoners or
Prisoners in Post-partum Recovery in Segregated Housing
Units.--
``(1) Placement in segregated housing units.--A covered
institution may not place a prisoner who is pregnant or in
post-partum recovery in a segregated housing unit unless the
prisoner presents an immediate risk of harm to the prisoner
or others.
``(2) Restrictions.--Any placement of a prisoner described
in subparagraph (A) in a segregated housing unit shall be
limited and temporary.
``(d) Parenting Classes.--The Director shall provide
parenting classes to each prisoner who is a primary caretaker
parent.
``(e) Trauma Screening.--The Director shall provide
training to each correctional officer and each employee of
the Bureau of Prisons who regularly interacts with prisoners,
including each instructor and health care professional, to
enable those correctional officers and employees to--
``(1) identify a prisoner who has a mental or physical
health need relating to trauma the prisoner has experienced;
and
``(2) refer a prisoner described in paragraph (1) to the
proper healthcare professional for treatment.
``(f) Inmate Health.--
``(1) Health care access.--The Director shall ensure that
all prisoners receive adequate health care.
``(2) Hygienic products.--The Director shall make essential
hygienic products, including shampoo, toothpaste,
toothbrushes, and any other hygienic product that the
Director determines appropriate, available without charge to
prisoners.
``(3) Gynecologist access.--The Director shall ensure that
all prisoners have access to a gynecologist as appropriate.
``(g) Use of Sex-appropriate Correctional Officers.--
``(1) Regulations.--The Director shall make rules under
which--
``(A) a correctional officer may not conduct a strip search
of a prisoner of the opposite sex unless--
``(i) the prisoner presents a risk of immediate harm to the
prisoner or others, and no other correctional officer of the
same sex as the prisoner, or medical staff is available to
assist; or
``(ii) the prisoner has previously requested that an
officer of a different sex conduct searches;
``(B) a correctional officer may not enter a restroom
reserved for prisoners of the opposite sex unless--
``(i) a prisoner in the restroom presents a risk of
immediate harm to themselves or others; or
``(ii) there is a medical emergency in the restroom and no
other correctional officer of the appropriate sex is
available to assist;
``(C) a transgender prisoner's sex is determined according
to the sex with which they identify; and
``(D) a correctional officer may not search or physically
examine a prisoner for the sole purpose of determining the
prisoner's genital status or sex.
``(2) Relation to other laws.--Nothing in paragraph (1)
shall be construed to affect the requirements under the
Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (42 U.S.C. 15601 et
seq.).''.
(c) Substance Abuse Treatment.--Section 3621(e) of title
18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(7) Eligibility of primary caretaker parents and pregnant
women.--The Director of the Bureau of Prisons may not
prohibit an eligible prisoner who is a primary caretaker
parent (as defined in section 4051) or pregnant from
participating in a program of residential substance abuse
treatment provided under paragraph (1) on the basis of a
failure by the eligible prisoner, before being committed to
the custody of the Bureau of Prisons, to disclose to any
official of the Bureau of Prisons that the prisoner had a
substance abuse problem on or before the date on which the
eligible prisoner was committed to the custody of the Bureau
of Prisons.''.
(d) Implementation Date.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Bureau of Prisons
shall implement this section and the amendments made by this
section.
(2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Bureau of Prisons
shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate
and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
Representatives a report on the implementation of this
section and the amendments made by this section.
(e) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of
sections for chapter 303 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:

``4051. Treatment of primary caretaker parents and other
individuals.''.

SEC. 1102. PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF WOMEN.

(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Stop
Infant Mortality And Recidivism Reduction Act'' or the
``SIMARRA Act''.
(b) Establishment.--Not later than 270 days after the date
of the enactment of this section, the Director of the Federal
Bureau of Prisons (in this section referred to as the
``Director'') shall establish a pilot program (in this
section referred to as the ``Program'') in accordance with
this section to permit women incarcerated in Federal prisons
and the children born to such women during incarceration to
reside together while the inmate serves a term of
imprisonment in a separate housing wing of the prison.
(c) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are to--
(1) prevent infant mortality among infants born to
incarcerated mothers and greatly reduce the trauma and stress
experienced by the unborn fetuses of pregnant inmates;
(2) reduce the recidivism rates of federally incarcerated
women and mothers, and enhance public safety by improving the
effectiveness of the Federal prison system for women as a
population with special needs;
(3) establish female offender risk and needs assessment as
the cornerstones of a more effective and efficient Federal
prison system;
(4) implement a validated post-sentencing risk and needs
assessment system that relies on dynamic risk factors to
provide Federal prison officials with a roadmap to address
the pre- and post-natal needs of Federal pregnant offenders,
manage limited resources, and enhance public safety;
(5) perform regular outcome evaluations of the
effectiveness of programs and interventions for federally
incarcerated pregnant women and mothers to assure that such
programs and interventions are evidence-based and to suggest
changes, deletions, and expansions based on the results of
such evaluations; and

[[Page H3027]]

(6) assist the Department of Justice to address the
underlying cost structure of the Federal prison system and
ensure that the Department can continue to run prison
nurseries safely and securely without compromising the scope
or quality of the Department's critical health, safety and
law enforcement missions.
(d) Duties of the Director of Bureau of Prisons.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall carry out this section
in consultation with--
(A) a licensed and board-certified gynecologist or
obstetrician;
(B) the Director of the Administrative Office of the United
States Courts;
(C) the Director of the Office of Probation and Pretrial
Services;
(D) the Director of the National Institute of Justice; and
(E) the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(2) Duties.--The Director shall, in accordance with
paragraph (3)--
(A) develop an offender risk and needs assessment system
particular to the health and sensitivities of Federally
incarcerated pregnant women and mothers in accordance with
this subsection;
(B) develop recommendations regarding recidivism reduction
programs and productive activities in accordance with
subsection (c);
(C) conduct ongoing research and data analysis on--
(i) the best practices relating to the use of offender risk
and needs assessment tools particular to the health and
sensitivities of federally incarcerated pregnant women and
mothers;
(ii) the best available risk and needs assessment tools
particular to the health and sensitivities of Federally
incarcerated pregnant women and mothers and the level to
which they rely on dynamic risk factors that could be
addressed and changed over time, and on measures of risk of
recidivism, individual needs, and responsiveness to
recidivism reduction programs;
(iii) the most effective and efficient uses of such tools
in conjunction with recidivism reduction programs, productive
activities, incentives, and rewards; and
(iv) which recidivism reduction programs are the most
effective--

(I) for Federally incarcerated pregnant women and mothers
classified at different recidivism risk levels; and
(II) for addressing the specific needs of Federally
incarcerated pregnant women and mothers;

(D) on a biennial basis, review the system developed under
subparagraph (A) and the recommendations developed under
subparagraph (B), using the research conducted under
subparagraph (C), to determine whether any revisions or
updates should be made, and if so, make such revisions or
updates;
(E) hold periodic meetings with the individuals listed in
paragraph (1) at intervals to be determined by the Director;
and
(F) report to Congress in accordance with subsection (i).
(3) Methods.--In carrying out the duties under paragraph
(2), the Director shall--
(A) consult relevant stakeholders; and
(B) make decisions using data that is based on the best
available statistical and empirical evidence.
(e) Eligibility.--An inmate may apply to participate in the
Program if the inmate--
(1) is pregnant at the beginning of or during the term of
imprisonment; and
(2) is in the custody or control of the Federal Bureau of
Prisons.
(f) Program Terms.--
(1) Term of participation.--To correspond with the purposes
and goals of the Program to promote bonding during the
critical stages of child development, an eligible inmate
selected for the Program may participate in the Program,
subject to subsection (g), until the earliest of--
(A) the date that the inmate's term of imprisonment
terminates;
(B) the date the infant fails to meet any medical criteria
established by the Director or the Director's designee along
with a collective determination of the persons listed in
subsection (d)(1); or
(C) 30 months.
(2) Inmate requirements.--For the duration of an inmate's
participation in the Program, the inmate shall agree to--
(A) take substantive steps towards acting in the role of a
parent or guardian to any child of that inmate;
(B) participate in any educational or counseling
opportunities established by the Director, including topics
such as child development, parenting skills, domestic
violence, vocational training, or substance abuse, as
appropriate;
(C) abide by any court decision regarding the legal or
physical custody of the child;
(D) transfer to the Federal Bureau of Prisons any child
support payments for the infant of the participating inmate
from any person or governmental entity; and
(E) specify a person who has agreed to take at least
temporary custody of the child if the inmate's participation
in the Program terminates before the inmate's release.
(g) Continuity of Care.--The Director shall take
appropriate actions to prevent detachment or disruption of
either an inmate's or infant's health and bonding-based well-
being due to termination of the Program.
(h) Reporting.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
the enactment of this section and once each year thereafter
for 5 years, the Director shall submit a report to the
Congress with regards to progress in implementing the
Program.
(2) Final report.--Not later than 6 months after the
termination of the Program, the Director shall issue a final
report to the Congress that contains a detailed statement of
the Director's findings and conclusions, including
recommendations for legislation, administrative actions, and
regulations the Director considers appropriate.
(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this
section, there is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024.

TITLE XII--LAW ENFORCEMENT TOOLS TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY

SEC. 1201. NOTIFICATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES OF
PROHIBITED PURCHASE OR ATTEMPTED PURCHASE OF A
FIREARM.

(a) In General.--Title I of the NICS Improvement Amendments
Act of 2007 (18 U.S.C. 922 note) is amended by adding at the
end the following:

``SEC. 108. NOTIFICATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES OF
PROHIBITED PURCHASE OF A FIREARM.

``(a) In General.--In the case of a background check
conducted by the National Instant Criminal Background Check
System pursuant to the request of a licensed importer,
licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer of firearms (as
such terms are defined in section 921 of title 18, United
States Code), which background check determines that the
receipt of a firearm by a person would violate subsection
(g)(8), (g)(9), or (g)(10) of section 922 of title 18, United
States Code, and such determination is made after 3 business
days have elapsed since the licensee contacted the System and
a firearm has been transferred to that person, the System
shall notify the law enforcement agencies described in
subsection (b).
``(b) Law Enforcement Agencies Described.--The law
enforcement agencies described in this subsection are the law
enforcement agencies that have jurisdiction over the location
from which the licensee contacted the system and the law
enforcement agencies that have jurisdiction over the location
of the residence of the person for which the background check
was conducted, as follows:
``(1) The field office of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation.
``(2) The local law enforcement agency.
``(3) The State law enforcement agency.
``(4) The Tribal law enforcement agency.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of the NICS
Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (18 10 U.S.C. 922 note) is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 107
the following:

``Sec. 108. Notification to law enforcement agencies of prohibited
purchase of a firearm.''.

SEC. 1202. REPORTING OF BACKGROUND CHECK DENIALS TO STATE,
LOCAL, AND TRIBAL AUTHORITIES.

(a) In General.--Chapter 44 of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by inserting after section 925A the
following:

``Sec. 925B. Reporting of background check denials to State,
local, and tribal authorities

``(a) In General.--If the national instant criminal
background check system established under section 103 of the
Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (18 U.S.C. 922 note)
provides a notice pursuant to section 922(t) of this title
that the receipt of a firearm by a person would violate
subsection (g)(8), (g)(9), or (g)(10) of section 922 of this
title or State law, the Attorney General shall, in accordance
with subsection (b) of this section--
``(1) report to the law enforcement authorities of the
State where the person sought to acquire the firearm and, if
different, the law enforcement authorities of the State of
residence of the person--
``(A) that the notice was provided;
``(B) of the specific provision of law that would have been
violated;
``(C) of the date and time the notice was provided;
``(D) of the location where the firearm was sought to be
acquired; and
``(E) of the identity of the person; and
``(2) report the incident to local or tribal law
enforcement authorities and, where practicable, State,
tribal, or local prosecutors, in the jurisdiction where the
firearm was sought and in the jurisdiction where the person
resides.
``(b) Requirements for Report.--A report is made in
accordance with this subsection if the report is made within
24 hours after the provision of the notice described in
subsection (a), except that the making of the report may be
delayed for so long as is necessary to avoid compromising an
ongoing investigation.
``(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in subsection (a)
shall be construed to require a report with respect to a
person to be made to the same State authorities that
originally issued the notice with respect to the person.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for such
chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 925A the following:

``925B. Reporting of background check denials to State, local, and
tribal authorities.''.

SEC. 1203. SPECIAL ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEYS AND CROSS-
DEPUTIZED ATTORNEYS.

(a) In General.--Chapter 44 of title 18, United States
Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended by inserting
after section 925B the following:

``Sec. 925C. Special assistant U.S. attorneys and cross-
deputized attorneys

``(a) In General.--In order to improve the enforcement of
paragraphs (8), (9), and (10) of section 922(g), the Attorney
General may--
``(1) appoint, in accordance with section 543 of title 28,
qualified State, tribal, territorial and local prosecutors
and qualified attorneys working for the United States
government to serve as special assistant United States
attorneys for the

[[Page H3028]]

purpose of prosecuting violations of such paragraphs;
``(2) deputize State, tribal, territorial and local law
enforcement officers for the purpose of enhancing the
capacity of the agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms, and Explosives in responding to and investigating
violations of such paragraphs; and
``(3) establish, in order to receive and expedite requests
for assistance from State, tribal, territorial and local law
enforcement agencies responding to intimate partner violence
cases where such agencies have probable cause to believe that
the offenders may be in violation of such paragraphs, points
of contact within--
``(A) each Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and
``(B) each District Office of the United States Attorneys.
``(b) Improve Intimate Partner and Public Safety.--The
Attorney General shall--
``(1) identify no less than 75 jurisdictions among States,
territories and tribes where there are high rates of firearms
violence and threats of firearms violence against intimate
partners and other persons protected under paragraphs (8),
(9), and (10) of section 922(g) and where local authorities
lack the resources to address such violence; and
``(2) make such appointments as described in subsection (a)
in jurisdictions where enhanced enforcement of such
paragraphs is necessary to reduce firearms homicide and
injury rates.
``(c) Qualified Defined.--For purposes of this section, the
term `qualified' means, with respect to an attorney, that the
attorney is a licensed attorney in good standing with any
relevant licensing authority.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for such
chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 925B the following:

``925C. Special assistant U.S. attorneys and cross-deputized
attorneys.''.

TITLE XIII--CLOSING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CONSENT LOOPHOLE

SEC. 1301. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be cited as the ``Closing the Law
Enforcement Consent Loophole Act of 2019''.

SEC. 1302. PROHIBITION ON ENGAGING IN SEXUAL ACTS WHILE
ACTING UNDER COLOR OF LAW.

(a) In General.--Section 2243 of title 18, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by adding at the end the
following: ``or by any person acting under color of law'';
(2) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections
(d) and (e), respectively;
(3) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
``(c) Of an Individual by Any Person Acting Under Color of
Law.--
``(1) In general.--Whoever, acting under color of law,
knowingly engages in a sexual act with an individual,
including an individual who is under arrest, in detention, or
otherwise in the actual custody of any Federal law
enforcement officer, shall be fined under this title,
imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both.
``(2) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `sexual
act' has the meaning given the term in section 2246.''; and
(4) in subsection (d), as so redesignated, by adding at the
end the following:
``(3) In a prosecution under subsection (c), it is not a
defense that the other individual consented to the sexual
act.''.
(b) Definition.--Section 2246 of title 18, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
``(7) the term `Federal law enforcement officer' has the
meaning given the term in section 115.''.
(c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter
109A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by amending
the item related to section 2243 to read as follows:

``2243. Sexual abuse of a minor or ward or by any person acting under
color of law.''.

SEC. 1303. INCENTIVES FOR STATES.

(a) Authority to Make Grants.--The Attorney General is
authorized to make grants to States that have in effect a law
that--
(1) makes it a criminal offense for any person acting under
color of law of the State to engage in a sexual act with an
individual, including an individual who is under arrest, in
detention, or otherwise in the actual custody of any law
enforcement officer; and
(2) prohibits a person charged with an offense described in
paragraph (1) from asserting the consent of the other
individual as a defense.
(b) Reporting Requirement.--A State that receives a grant
under this section shall submit to the Attorney General, on
an annual basis, information on--
(1) the number of reports made to law enforcement agencies
in that State regarding persons engaging in a sexual act
while acting under color of law during the previous year; and
(2) the disposition of each case in which sexual misconduct
by a person acting under color of law was reported during the
previous year.
(c) Application.--A State seeking a grant under this
section shall submit an application to the Attorney General
at such time, in such manner, and containing such information
as the Attorney General may reasonably require, including
information about the law described in subsection (a).
(d) Grant Amount.--The amount of a grant to a State under
this section shall be in an amount that is not greater than
10 percent of the average of the total amount of funding of
the 3 most recent awards that the State received under the
following grant programs:
(1) Part T of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe
Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10441 et seq.) (commonly
referred to as the ``STOP Violence Against Women Formula
Grant Program'').
(2) Section 41601 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994
(34 U.S.C. 12511) (commonly referred to as the ``Sexual
Assault Services Program'').
(e) Grant Term.--
(1) In general.--The Attorney General shall provide an
increase in the amount provided to a State under the grant
programs described in subsection (d) for a 2-year period.
(2) Renewal.--A State that receives a grant under this
section may submit an application for a renewal of such grant
at such time, in such manner, and containing such information
as the Attorney General may reasonably require.
(3) Limit.--A State may not receive a grant under this
section for more than 4 years.
(f) Uses of Funds.--A State that receives a grant under
this section shall use--
(1) 25 percent of such funds for any of the permissible
uses of funds under the grant program described in paragraph
(1) of subsection (d); and
(2) 75 percent of such funds for any of the permissible
uses of funds under the grant program described in paragraph
(2) of subsection (d).
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this chapter $5,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024.
(h) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term
``State'' means each of the several States and the District
of Columbia, Indian Tribes, and the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the
Northern Mariana Islands.

SEC. 1304. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

(a) Report by Attorney General.--Not later than 1 year
after the date of enactment of this Act, and each year
thereafter, the Attorney General shall submit to Congress a
report containing--
(1) the information required to be reported to the Attorney
General under section 3(b); and
(2) information on--
(A) the number of reports made, during the previous year,
to Federal law enforcement agencies regarding persons
engaging in a sexual act while acting under color of law; and
(B) the disposition of each case in which sexual misconduct
by a person acting under color of law was reported.
(b) Report by GAO.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, and each year thereafter, the
Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to
Congress a report on any violations of section 2243(c) of
title 18, United States Code, as amended by section 2,
committed during the 1-year period covered by the report.

SEC. 1305. DEFINITION.

In this title, the term ``sexual act'' has the meaning
given the term in section 2246 of title 18, United States
Code.

TITLE XIV--OTHER MATTERS

SEC. 1401. NATIONAL STALKER AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REDUCTION.

Section 40603 of the Violent Crime Control and Law
Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12402) is amended by
striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2020 through
2024''.

SEC. 1402. FEDERAL VICTIM ASSISTANTS REAUTHORIZATION.

Section 40114 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994
(Public Law 103-322) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 40114. AUTHORIZATION FOR FEDERAL VICTIM'S COUNSELORS.

``There are authorized to be appropriated for the United
States Attorneys for the purpose of appointing victim/witness
counselors for the prosecution of sex crimes and domestic
violence crimes where applicable (such as the District of
Columbia), $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through
2024.''.

SEC. 1403. CHILD ABUSE TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR JUDICIAL
PERSONNEL AND PRACTITIONERS REAUTHORIZATION.

Section 224(a) of the Crime Control Act of 1990 (34 U.S.C.
20334(a)) is amended by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and
inserting ``2020 through 2024''.

SEC. 1404. SEX OFFENDER MANAGEMENT.

Section 40152(c) of the Violent Crime Control and Law
Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12311(c)) is amended by
striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2020 through
2024''.

SEC. 1405. COURT-APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE PROGRAM.

Section 219(a) of the Crime Control Act of 1990 (34 U.S.C.
20324(a)) is amended by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and
inserting ``2020 through 2024''.

SEC. 1406. RAPE KIT BACKLOG.

Section 2(j) of the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of
2000 (34 U.S.C. 40701) is amended by striking ``2015 through
2019'' and inserting ``2020 through 2024''.

SEC. 1407. SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC EXAM PROGRAM GRANTS.

Section 304(d) of the DNA Sexual Assault Justice Act of
2004 (34 U.S.C. 40723(d)) is amended by striking ``2015
through 2019'' and inserting ``2020 through 2024''.
The Acting CHAIR. No amendment to that amendment in the nature of a
substitute is in order except those printed in part B of House Report
116-32. Each such amendment may be offered only in the order printed in
the report, by a Member designated in the

[[Page H3029]]

report, shall be considered read, shall be debatable for the time
specified in the report, equally divided and controlled by the
proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall
not be subject to a demand for division of the question.

Amendment No. 1 Offered by Mr. Jeffries

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 1
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 114, after line 13, insert the following:
(4) Common languages.--The Secretary of Labor shall ensure
that the information disseminated to survivors under
paragraph (2) is made available in commonly encountered
languages.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentleman
from New York (Mr. Jeffries) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer an amendment to H.R. 1585, the
reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.
This amendment modestly modifies the bill to ensure that the
materials distributed to victims and survivors are available in
commonly encountered languages.
There are approximately 26 million Americans whose primary language
is not English. One in five American families speak another language at
home. In my home State of New York, that number is one in three.
Languages spoken throughout the country include Spanish, Chinese,
Tagalog, Vietnamese, and French, just to name a few.
H.R. 1585 provides that the Secretary of Labor may disseminate
information on the resources and rights available to survivors of
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. It is
important that all survivors and all victims, regardless of the
language they primarily speak or read, have access to such critical
information.
This amendment will not adversely impact Federal spending. In fact,
several agencies, including the Department of Labor, have similar
obligations to provide materials and notices in commonly encountered
languages, and guidance and resources are available on how to do so
consistent with existing provisions in other areas of law.
Let me also briefly express my support for this important and
significant legislation.
Since the Violence Against Women Act was first enacted 30 years ago,
it has helped to address the crisis of domestic and sexual violence
through vital grant programs and improved law enforcement response to
sexual crimes.
It has also elevated an important national conversation about this
issue, drawing attention to its prevalence, reducing stigma, and
encouraging survivors to get support.
I want to thank the distinguished chair of the House Judiciary
Committee, Jerry Nadler, for his tremendous leadership, as well as my
friend, Congresswoman Karen Bass, for her leadership in ushering
forward H.R. 1585.
I am proud today that we are doing our part in the United States
House of Representatives to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act
and urge my colleagues to support this amendment and the underlying
bill.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition,
although I am not opposed to the amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for
5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I appreciate my friend from New
York. I have no problem with his amendment. It is already a current,
existing order, introduced by President Clinton, and it is also under
DOJ guidance. This is currently happening, and I think his wanting to
continue this, to put it in this bill, I would have no problem with.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Chair, I thank the distinguished gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Collins), my colleague, the ranking member on the House
Judiciary Committee, for his support.
This is a nation of immigrants. We are a gorgeous mosaic of people
from all across the world. Out of many, we are one. That is what makes
America such a phenomenal country.
We just want to make sure that, with respect to this issue of sexual
and domestic violence, every American who is a victim has an
opportunity to get access to the resources that will be put into law.
I thank my colleagues for their support, and I yield back the balance
of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Jeffries).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from New York
will be postponed.

Amendment No. 2 Offered by Ms. Scanlon

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 2
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 25, line 15, insert ``(a) In General--'' before
``Section 1201''.
Page 26, after line 12, insert the following:
(b) GAO Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall submit to Congress a report on the return on
investment for legal assistance grants awarded pursuant to
section 1201 of division B of the Victims of Trafficking and
Violence Protection Act of 2000 (34 U.S.C. 20121), including
an accounting of the amount saved, if any, on housing,
medical, or employment social welfare programs.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentlewoman
from Pennsylvania (Ms. Scanlon) and a Member opposed each will control
5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania.
Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Chair, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer an amendment to study the return on
investment of legal services for survivors of domestic violence.
As a former legal services board member and director of a pro bono
program, I know the importance of legal representation for the most
vulnerable members of our community.
Access to justice is especially critical when it comes to survivors
of domestic violence and human trafficking. Too often, survivors are
left to navigate the overwhelming fallout of abuse alone, whether that
means seeking custody, housing, medical care, employment protections,
or other legal assistance.
In the aftermath of abuse, legal remedies are often complicated and
hard to manage, and legal representation in these critical moments can
make a life-changing difference. Sometimes that means a lawyer who can
remove the abuser from the home so the survivor doesn't lose their
housing; other times, it is an attorney helping a survivor access the
medical resources to heal from physical and mental injuries.
Access to justice remains a crucial issue in our legal system, and
one of the key contributions of VAWA is that it recognizes the
importance of legal services for the survivors of abuse. So not only
does VAWA provide critical medical and housing services, but it
provides legal representation that often saves public dollars.
As with many social services, upfront investment in legal services
can result in long-term benefits and savings. That is why my amendment
would ask the GAO to conduct a study about the economic benefits of
investments in legal services provided under the jurisdiction of VAWA.
It is important that we have a full grasp of the importance of these
investments so that my colleagues and I can continue pushing for robust
investment in these critical legal resources. I urge my colleagues to
support this amendment and the underlying bill.

[[Page H3030]]

Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition,
although I am not opposed to it.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for
5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance my time.
Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Chair, I thank the distinguished gentleman from
Georgia, and I thank my colleagues for their support.
Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Nadler).
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
Mr. Chair, I support this amendment, which would require the
preparation of a GAO report on the return on investment for legal
assistance grants for victims.
Studies show that the efficiency of the legal system improves
whenever victims receive assistance by legal professionals. This
amendment would provide a vehicle to help us assess the effectiveness
and ramifications of providing legal assistance for victims,
particularly in the areas of housing, medical needs, and employment
social welfare programs.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Scanlon).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from
Pennsylvania will be postponed.

{time} 1530

Amendment No. 3 Offered by Ms. Escobar

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 3
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Ms. ESCOBAR. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 156, insert after line 20 (and conform the table of
contents accordingly):

SEC. 1103. RESEARCH AND REPORT ON WOMEN IN FEDERAL
INCARCERATION.

Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of
this Act, and thereafter, every other year, the National
Institutes of Justice, in consultation with the Bureau of
Justice Statistics and the Bureau of Prisons (including the
Women and Special Population Branch) shall prepare a report
on the status of women in federal incarceration. Depending on
the topic to be addressed, and the facility, data shall be
collected from Bureau of Prisons personnel and a sample that
is representative of the population of incarcerated women.
The report shall include:
(1) With regard to federal facilities wherein women are
incarcerated--
(A) responses by such women to questions from the Adverse
Childhood Experience (ACES) questionnaire;
(B) demographic data of such women, including sexual
orientation and gender identity;
(C) responses by such women to questions about the extent
of exposure to sexual victimization, sexual violence and
domestic violence (both inside and outside of incarceration);
(D) the number of such women were pregnant at the time that
they entered incarceration;
(E) the number of such women who have children age 18 or
under, and if so, how many; and
(F) the crimes for which such women are incarcerated and
the length of their sentence.
(2) With regard to all federal facilities where persons are
incarcerated--
(A) a list of best practices with respect to women's
incarceration and transition, including staff led programs,
services and management practices (including making sanitary
products readily available and easily accessible, and access
to and provision of healthcare);
(B) the availability of trauma treatment at each facility
(including number of beds, and number of trained staff);
(C) rates of serious mental illness broken down by gender
and security level and a list of residential programs
available by site; and
(D) the availability of vocational education and a list of
vocational programs provided by each facility.

SEC. 1104. REENTRY PLANNING AND SERVICES FOR INCARCERATED
WOMEN.

The Attorney General, in coordination with the Chief of
U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services and the Director of the
Bureau of Prisons (including Women and Special Population
Branch), shall collaborate on a model of gender responsive
transition for incarcerated women, including the development
of a national standard on prevention with respect to domestic
and sexual violence. In developing the model, the Chief and
the Director shall consult with such experts within the
federal government (including the Office on Violence Against
Women of the Department of Justice) and in the victim service
provider community (including sexual and domestic violence
and homelessness, job training and job placement service
providers) as are necessary to the completion of a
comprehensive plan. Issues addressed should include--
(1) the development by the Bureau of Prisons of a contract
for gender collaborative services; and
(2) identification by re-entry affairs coordinators and
responsive planning for the needs of re-entering women with
respect to--
(A) housing, including risk of homelessness;
(B) previous exposure to and risk for domestic and sexual
violence; and
(C) the need for parenting classes, assistance securing
childcare, or assistance in seeking or securing jobs that
afford flexibility (as might be necessary in the re-entry,
parenting or other contexts).

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentlewoman
from Texas (Ms. Escobar) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.
Ms. ESCOBAR. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chair, I thank Representatives Bass and Fitzpatrick and Chairman
Nadler for their work on this bill, which will provide critical support
to women.
My amendment has two components to help ensure our work reaches women
in every corner of society.
The first requires an annual report on the status of women in Federal
incarceration. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, women
account for approximately 7 percent of the Federal inmate population.
As of March 28, the U.S. had 180,181 Federal inmates. This means that
the number of female prisoners in America is about 12,613.
Women in prison face unique challenges. For example, they are more
likely to have their children taken away from them while they are
incarcerated, more likely to have trouble accessing basic hygiene
products, and more likely to suffer from mental health problems.
A report done by the Center for American Progress found that 75
percent of incarcerated women suffer from substance abuse problems,
while 68 percent experienced physical or sexual abuse at some point in
their lives.
This commonsense amendment would compile more comprehensive, badly
needed data to help us better understand the needs of incarcerated
women and help us deliver the services they need.
The report on women would include data points such as sexual
orientation and gender identity, exposure to sexual and domestic
violence, whether the woman was pregnant at the time of her
incarceration, and length of sentence. The report would also collect
data on all Federal facilities where women are incarcerated to
determine best practices and the availability of trauma treatment.
This information can then be used by Congress to develop policies
that would better serve women and their families.
The second component of my amendment directs the Attorney General, in
coordination with the Chief of U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services and
the Director of the Bureau of Prisons, to collaborate on reentry
planning and services for incarcerated women, including the development
of a national standard on domestic and sexual violence prevention.
Reentry and planning services are vital because reentering society is
a difficult process for many and represents a critical point of
transition that may help solidify rehabilitation or may, if poorly
managed, pose new risk to success.
This is especially the case for women because of the unique
circumstances I mentioned previously. Many are caretakers for their
children, victims of abuse, and have addiction issues.
For example, finding a place to live is especially difficult.
Formerly incarcerated individuals are nearly 10 times

[[Page H3031]]

more likely to become homeless. Data from the Prison Policy Initiative
show that formerly incarcerated women face homelessness at much higher
rates than men. For women of color, the rate of homelessness only
increases. Further, many shelters are reluctant to accept women with
children.
When developing reentry plans and services, the Department of Justice
officials are required to address gender-collaborative services;
housing; previous exposure to and risk for domestic and sexual
violence; and the need for parenting classes, securing childcare
assistance, and assistance securing jobs that afford flexibility.
Finally, the establishment of a national standard on domestic and
sexual violence prevention will ensure that the government sets the bar
for protecting vulnerable women from abuse. Affirmatively including
incarcerated women in the reauthorization of VAWA will enable the
government to treat these women with dignity and respect and ensure we
are doing all we can to prevent future victims of violence.
I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. I claim the time in opposition to the
amendment, although I am not opposed.
The Acting CHAIR (Mrs. Lawrence). Without objection, the gentleman is
recognized for 5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, again, I am not opposed to the
amendment. I appreciate some of the comments by the gentlewoman from
Texas.
Several of these were actually in the FIRST STEP Act, which we passed
last year, on criminal justice reform. I am glad to see that they are
still being discussed.
Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. ESCOBAR. Madam Chair, I thank the distinguished gentleman from
Georgia, and I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Nadler).
Mr. NADLER. Madam Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
I support this amendment, which would direct the preparation of a
report on the status of women in Federal incarceration. The amendment
would also direct the Attorney General to work on a model of gender-
responsive transition for incarcerated women, including the development
of a national standard on prevention with respect to domestic and
sexual violence.
According to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, very little current
data exists on the status of incarcerated women in Federal custody.
This amendment will allow us to better respond to the needs of
incarcerated women, and it will provide us with vitally important data,
for oversight purposes.
Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
Ms. ESCOBAR. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Escobar).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 4 Offered by Ms. Dean

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 4
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Ms. DEAN. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 16, after line 2, insert the following:

SEC. 4. AGENCY AND DEPARTMENT COORDINATION.

The heads of Executive Departments responsible for carrying
out this Act are authorized to coordinate and collaborate on
the prevention of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual
assault, and stalking, including sharing best practices and
efficient use of resources and technology for victims and
those seeking assistance from the Government.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentlewoman
from Pennsylvania (Ms. Dean) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania.
Ms. DEAN. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise to offer this amendment to H.R. 1585, the Violence Against
Women Reauthorization Act of 2019.
My amendment allows for cross-agency coordination to collaborate on
the prevention of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault,
and stalking, and for the agencies to share best practices for victims.
This will allow for greater efficiency and transparency, and most
importantly, it will allow for the sharing of best practices and
information that could help survivors of domestic violence.
With every reauthorization of VAWA since 1994, we have enhanced its
protections, preserved its accomplishments, and removed its
shortcomings, including adding protections for the elderly and the
disabled, expanding sexual assault and stalking provisions, and
fighting housing discrimination.
These reauthorizations of VAWA have allowed us to come together to
work collaboratively to combat domestic violence. Similarly, my
amendment asks the agencies to work cohesively together and coordinate
to accomplish a common goal: to protect survivors and their families,
and to end violence against women.
As we know, domestic violence plagues all communities across this
country and all the districts that we represent. In my home State of
Pennsylvania, the problem is no different. In the last 10 years, more
than 1,600 people have died as a result of domestic violence, including
people of all demographics. Domestic violence has affected the lives of
thousands of Pennsylvanians. Sadly, just in 2017, two of my
constituents in Montgomery County lost their lives to domestic
violence.
That is why it is so imperative that we reauthorize the Violence
Against Women Act, because we know, since its inception, the rate of
violence has decreased by a remarkable 63 percent.
We have the opportunity to come together once again and pass this
bipartisan VAWA reauthorization with new and better provisions,
including expanding protections for young victims, survivors without
shelters, and LGBTQ people; preventing intimate partner homicides by
prohibiting those convicted of dating violence from possessing
firearms; and protecting the Office on Violence Against Women to ensure
survivors of domestic violence have access to the much-needed resources
they deserve.
I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of the Violence Against
Women Act, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stand
up against domestic violence, support this amendment, and vote to
reauthorize this vital piece of legislation.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, I claim the time in opposition,
although I am not opposed to the amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for
5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my
time.
Ms. DEAN. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
Pennsylvania (Ms. Wild).
Ms. WILD. Madam Chair, I thank the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania for
yielding.
I rise in support of this amendment, which is being sponsored by my
colleague and friend from Pennsylvania.
The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, VAWA, responds to our
Nation's crisis of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault,
and stalking. VAWA expired in September of last year, and it is long
past time for Congress to reauthorize this legislation.
Representative Dean's amendment will increase interagency cooperation
efforts to prevent violence and provide critical services to survivors.
No one solution can stop every act of violence, but this amendment
recognizes that more coordination among agencies over best practices,
resources, and technology will lead to better results for those in need
of urgent assistance.
As survivors transition out of crisis, they need access to housing,
healthcare, and other vital resources to rebuild their lives. In my
home district, organizations like Turning Point of Lehigh Valley assist
survivors of abuse and their families. This amendment and VAWA overall
will enable

[[Page H3032]]

shelters like Turning Point to better serve people in need.
Madam Chair, I am proud to stand with survivors.
Ms. DEAN. Madam Chair, I thank the author of this important bill,
Representative Bass, and I thank the tireless advocates who have worked
to bring us to this important day.
Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and to
please support this bill.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Dean).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 5 Offered by Mrs. Torres of California

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 5
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Mrs. TORRES of California. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the
desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 33, line 17, strike ``and'' at the end.
Page 34, line 3, strike the period at the end and insert
the following: ``; and''.
Page 34, after line 3, insert the following:
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act
of 2019, the Secretary, acting through the Director of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall submit to
Congress, the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee
on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and
the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report on the
activities funded by grants awarded under this section and
best practices relating to rape prevention and education.''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentlewoman
from California (Mrs. Torres) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
Mrs. TORRES of California. Madam Chair, I rise today to offer an
amendment to H.R. 1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act
of 2019.
Madam Chair, rape is a crisis in this country. In the United States,
one in five women will be raped in their lifetime--one in five. Men can
be rape victims, too. As a matter of fact, 1 in 71 men will be raped.
The LGBTQ community suffers from even higher rates of sexual violence
and rape. Forty-six percent of bisexual women have been raped, and 47
percent of transgender individuals have been assaulted at some point in
their lives. These statistics are more severe for people of color in
the LGBTQ community. What is worse is that many LGBTQ victims are
denied services simply because of their sexual orientation or gender
identity.
Whether we know it or not, everyone in this room knows a rape
survivor. Maybe she or he is the barista who makes your morning coffee.

{time} 1545

Maybe she or he is a security officer who smiles at you on your way
to work. Maybe he or she is your coworker, your sibling, your partner,
or your child. Many people don't realize that they know a rape
survivor.
Too often, rape isn't reported because victims fear the consequences.
Often survivors fear that no one will believe them or that they will be
blamed or stigmatized. In the #MeToo era, the pervasiveness of sexual
assault has come to the forefront. However, the public is still
grappling with our understanding of rape, the myth versus reality.
Many people still think that rape is only an act committed by a
stranger in a dark alley. Instances like this do happen. In 2016, Brock
Turner raped an unconscious young woman behind a dumpster. His
punishment? Three months in jail. This sentencing alone reflects the
failure to understand rape and a tendency to blame the victim.
Our comprehension of rape has changed dramatically in the past
decade. Instances of rape being perpetrated by strangers do happen, but
eight out of ten rape survivors knew their rapist. The majority of
female survivors were raped by an intimate partner.
While there is plenty of data on VAWA grants administered by the
Office of Violence Against Women, an analysis by the Congressional
Research Service found that there is insufficient information on RPE
formula grants run by the CDC.
To prevent rape and create innovative trauma-informed policies and
programs, we need to improve our understanding of which initiatives are
effective. My amendment will bridge this information gap and help
better inform our rape prevention efforts. My amendment requires the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide a report to
Congress on the activity of grant awardees funded through the Rape
Prevention and Education Grant Program as well as on emerging and best
practices relating to rape prevention and education.
Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, I rise in opposition, although I
am not opposed to the amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for
5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mrs. TORRES of California. Madam Chair, I would like to thank the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Bass), the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms.
Jackson Lee), and Chairman Nadler for introducing H.R. 1585, the
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, and I urge its
swift passage.
Lastly, Madam Chair, I would ask that this amendment be made in
order, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Torres).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 6 Offered by Mr. Burgess

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 6
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Mr. BURGESS. Madam Chairman, I call up amendment No. 6 to H.R. 1585.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 170, line 18, strike ``Section 2(j)'' and insert
``Section 2''.
Page 170, line 19, strike ``by'' and insert ``--''.
Page 170, strike lines 20 through 21, and insert the
following:
(1) in subsection (f)--
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) information on best practices for state and local
governments to reduce the backlog of DNA evidence''; and
(2) in subsection (j), by striking ``2015 through 2019''
and inserting ``2020 through 2024''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Burgess) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
Mr. BURGESS. Madam Chairman, the Violence Against Women Act
reauthorizes the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program through 2024.
This amendment simply requires State and local governments that are
recipients of the grant program to include information in their reports
to the Attorney General on best practices for reducing the backlog of
DNA evidence.
This grant program was originally authorized under the Justice for
All Act of 2004 to provide grants to State and local governments for
the collection and analysis of forensic samples and to ensure the
timely processing of DNA evidence by law enforcement. Congress
reauthorized the program several times, most recently providing $151
million for fiscal year 2019.
Despite these efforts, the backlog of untested DNA evidence is still
high. According to reporting from The Texas Tribune, a paper back in
the State of Texas, it costs between $500 and $2,000 to test a kit, and
there are approximately 3,500 untested kits in Texas

[[Page H3033]]

alone. We must continue working to reduce this backlog so that we can
bring justice to the victims of assault.
State and local grant recipients are required to submit a report to
the Attorney General which is then summarized for Congress. My
amendment adds best practices for reducing the backlog to the report
required by grant recipients in order to better understand the needs of
entities directly involved in collecting and processing DNA evidence.
Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the
amendment, although I am not opposed to the amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from New York is
recognized for 5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Chair, I support this amendment to improve the
reporting requirements for States and localities that receive funding
under the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program.
As we all know, because of the increased awareness of the potential
for DNA evidence to help solve criminal cases, the demand for DNA
testing continues to grow nationwide. Crime laboratories now process
more DNA than ever before. In recognition of this, H.R. 1585
reauthorizes the Debbie Smith Act, which I helped to originate.
This amendment directs States and localities to report information to
the Attorney General on best practices for reducing the backlog of DNA
evidence. The emphasis on best practices is a good one, as it will help
ensure that the backlog is cleared in as expeditious and efficient a
manner as possible.
Madam Chair, I encourage my colleagues to support the amendment, and
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BURGESS. Madam Chairman, I thank the gentleman for his support,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 7 Offered by Ms. Waters

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 7
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Ms. WATERS. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 39, after line 6, insert the following:
``(12) To train campus personnel in how to use a victim-
centered, trauma-informed interview technique, which means
asking questions of a student or a campus employee who is
reported to be a victim of sexual harassment, sexual assault,
domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, in a manner
that is focused on the experience of the reported victim,
that does not judge or blame the reported victim for the
alleged crime, and that is informed by evidence-based
research on the neurobiology of trauma. To the extent
practicable, campus personnel shall allow the reported victim
to participate in a recorded interview and to receive a copy
of the recorded interview.'';

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentlewoman
from California (Ms. Waters) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
Ms. WATERS. Madam Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 1585, the Violence Against
Women Reauthorization Act of 2019. This legislation is the result of
the tireless work of advocates, Chairman Nadler, of the bill's original
sponsor, my colleague from California, Congresswoman Karen Bass, and
most especially, the women who survived domestic violence and sexual
assault and bravely shared their stories. Without their courage, this
legislation would not be on the floor today.
I also appreciate the title in this bill which helps victims of
domestic violence access safe housing. Women who are in dangerous
situations at home need to be able to quickly transfer to alternative
housing, and that is precisely what Title 6 of this bill aims to do. I
understand that there are some stakeholders who have raised some
questions about how the implementation of this title would work, and I
will continue to work with them as this bill moves through the Senate.
Though the Violence Against Women Act has led to widespread change in
how our Nation understands and responds to domestic violence, sexual
assault, and sexual harassment, much work remains to be done.
Twenty-five years after the original Violence Against Women Act
passed in 1994, women who came forward are still too often disregarded,
disgraced, and humiliated, all because those in power know that if the
stories of the trauma and abuse suffered by women are true, then
everything--including their power--would need to change. My amendment
is another step toward ensuring that women who speak out and refuse to
be silenced are supported and heard.
Section 303 of H.R. 1585 includes the grant program that provides
funds to higher education institutions to combat violent crimes on
campuses, including especially, domestic and sexual violence. My
amendment would create a new purpose area for section 303 grants, which
allows funding to be used by higher education institutions to train
employees on how to conduct victim-centered, trauma-informed interviews
with the students who report being a victim of sexual assault, domestic
violence, stalking, or harassment. The employee would be trained to
communicate in a manner which does not blame or judge the survivor for
the crimes he or she reports.
My amendment stipulates that if a student requests to have a record
of their conversations with college employees and administrators, then
schools which accept funding for this purpose area must offer a
recorded interview. Given the lengthy record of colleges suppressing
reports of sexual or domestic violence on campus, recorded interviews
can be incredibly important to survivors.
Only one in five female college students report their sexual assault,
and many cite a fear of retaliation and not being believed as the
primary reasons they stayed silent. Students who come forward and
report an assault or other crime should never be made to feel that they
are at fault, that they will be punished, or that they should feel
shame. College administrators should never use their ignorance as to
how trauma affects young women--which can often make it difficult for a
victim to recall exactly what happened and when--as a reason to
discredit those who report.
My amendment will help ensure that never happens by facilitating the
training necessary for colleges to better support students as they
navigate what is likely to be one of the most traumatic moments in
their lives.
So, Madam Chair, I urge all of my colleagues to support training to
promote more effective conversations between students and college
employees and vote in the affirmative for my amendment.
Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chairman, I do claim the time in
opposition.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, I understand the gentlewoman's
concern here, and I appreciate that concern.
A bigger concern I have here is concerning the trend of handling
responsibilities on campus and giving those--in a criminal matter and
putting them into campus personnel rather than law enforcement. My
concern is that these are crimes and they need to be treated as crimes.
We need to do everything we possibly can to treat those victims and
give them as much support and help as we possibly can, but I don't want
to give in to the implication that this should be treated as anything
other than a crime, and law enforcement personnel should be involved in
all stages.

I have seen a concerning trend across the country in trying to treat
these differently or even adding in a layer of investigation. This
needs to be treated as a crime.
I understand the gentlewoman's concern here, and expanding this grant
program could result from others in reducing resources that are
available for prosecution. So I understand the gentlewoman's concern. I
just would oppose this for those reasons and no more that.

[[Page H3034]]

Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. WATERS. Madam Chairman, I rise to continue to try and educate my
colleagues on the opposite side of the aisle about the trauma that is
faced by victims of sexual assault, and I am hopeful that they will
agree with me, join in this amendment, and support this amendment so
that we can create the opportunity to get these conversations going so
that, indeed, these women can be supported and understood perhaps in
ways this has never happened before.
Madam Chair, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler) who
is the chair of the Judiciary Committee.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Chair, I support this amendment which expands the
types of grants that can be funded to combat violent crimes on college
campuses.
Evidence-based research on the neurobiology of trauma has shown the
effectiveness of using victim-centered, trauma-informed interview
techniques when investigating allegations of sexual harassment, sexual
assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking.
This amendment seeks to ensure that campus personnel who investigate
these types of cases are trained in up-to-date, research-based methods
for interviewing victims and handling cases in a sensitive manner.
Madam Chair, I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment.
Ms. WATERS. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

{time} 1600

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, I appreciate the gentlewoman's
concern; but, also, I do understand this issue, as someone who has been
in the legal community, been a counselor, also a chaplain in the Air
Force who has had to deal with sexual assault issues, and also served
on the local board of Rape Response.
I do get these issues. I don't disagree with the gentlewoman that
there are concerns here, that we do need to be sensitive and we do need
to do this.
My concern lies simply in the fact that we need to put this funding
and these resources not to a bifurcated process, but we also need to
continue to make sure that this goes to law enforcement, because
someone who mistreats and someone who is a victim of sexual harassment,
sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking--it is
a crime, and it needs to be treated as that.
We need to make sure our law enforcement personnel can have better
resources and better access so that the victims can be taken care of
and the perpetrators can be locked up. That is my concern here, not
that I don't understand what the victims may be going through.
Although I have never personally been a victim, I have counseled on
many occasions people who have been victims. So, I would just caution,
so we understand the differences in our opinions, why someone may hold
an opinion. And mine was simply from a law enforcement perspective, not
that I was ignoring or ambivalent toward the feelings of those who have
been victimized.
Madam Chair, I would just oppose this for those reasons and nothing
more, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from California
will be postponed.

Amendment No. 8 Offered by Mr. Young

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 8
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Mr. YOUNG. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 135, strike lines 8 through 15, and insert the
following:
``(g) Indian Country Defined.--For purposes of the pilot
project described in subsection (f)(5), the definition of
`Indian country' shall include--
``(1) Alaska Native-owned Townsites, Allotments, and former
reservation lands acquired in fee by Alaska Native Village
Corporations pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement
Act (43 U.S.C. 33) and other lands transferred in fee to
Native villages, and
``(2) all lands within any Alaska Native village with a
population that is at least 75 percent Alaska Native.''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentleman
from Alaska (Mr. Young) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Alaska.
Mr. YOUNG. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Chair, my amendment would improve this bill's application to
remote Alaska Native villages.
Women in Alaska Native villages suffer the very highest sexual abuse
rates in the Nation.
Alaska Native women are overrepresented in the domestic violence
survivor population by 250 percent.
Alaska Natives comprise about 19 percent of the State's population,
yet are 47 percent of the reported rape survivors.
Yet, Native villages currently lack any efficient tools to criminally
prosecute the offenders. The remoteness and isolation of the Native
villages, most of which are not connected to the road system and only
accessible by air, makes it difficult to prevent violence and care for
the survivors.
Almost all of these villages lack any form of law enforcement, and it
can take days for authorities to fly to the village and respond to an
incident, particularly when weather conditions are bad.
My amendment will open the door to a meaningful pilot project to help
overcome these limitations by crafting an Alaska solution for a unique
Alaska problem.
Currently, the bill would create an Alaska Native jurisdiction pilot
program for five villages, but only covers Native lands that are
largely outside the villages. These lands are not where people live
and, therefore, not where crimes are committed.
My amendment would add jurisdiction for all lands inside Alaska
Native villages to cover where the majority of violence actually
occurs.
Villages need to be empowered to develop local solutions to these
problems.
My amendment is supported by the National Congress of American
Indians, Alaska Federation of Natives, the Tanana Chiefs Conference,
and Bristol Bay Native Corporation.
Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment for
Alaska, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the
amendment, although I am not opposed to the amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from New York is
recognized for 5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Chair, I support this amendment because it improves
and enhances the special Tribal criminal jurisdiction pilot project
created by VAWA in 2013 specifically to benefit Alaska Natives.
For over 5 years, the special Tribal criminal jurisdiction has given
qualifying Tribes across the United States the authority to prosecute
non-Tribal members for certain offenses.
This year's reauthorization of VAWA would extend that jurisdiction to
more crimes, including dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Tribes across the country have been effectively exercising their
authority under VAWA and keeping their communities safe. This amendment
would ensure that Alaska Native villages that qualify are also able to
exercise this type of jurisdiction. It is only fair that they be
allowed to do so.
Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. YOUNG. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young).
The amendment was agreed to.

[[Page H3035]]

Amendment No. 9 Offered by Ms. Johnson of Texas

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 9
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 52, line 13, strike ``means a transfer'' and insert
``means an emergency transfer under subsection (e) from a
unit of a covered housing provider''.
Page 52, line 16, insert ``that can transfer to any unit of
the same covered housing provider'' before the period at the
end.
Page 52, line 18, strike ``means a transfer'' and insert
``means an emergency transfer under subsection (e) from a
unit of a covered housing provider''.
Page 59, strike lines 17 through 21 and insert the
following:
``(1) In general.--A tenant who is a victim of domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking may
apply for an emergency transfer to another available and safe
dwelling unit assisted under a covered housing program, and
the covered housing provider shall grant such application
if--''.
Page 60, line 24, strike ``internal emergency transfer''
and insert ``internal transfer''.
Page 61, beginning on line 4, strike ``internal emergency
transfer'' and insert ``internal transfer''.
Page 61, beginning on line 8, strike ``internal emergency
transfer'' and insert ``internal transfer''.
Page 61, line 15, strike ``external emergency transfer''
and insert ``external transfer''.
Page 62, beginning on line 1, strike ``internal emergency
transfer'' and insert ``internal transfer''.
Page 62, line 3, strike ``external emergency transfer'' and
insert ``external transfer''.
Page 62, line 5, strike ``internal emergency transfer'' and
insert ``internal transfer''.
Page 62, line 6, strike ``external emergency transfer'' and
insert ``external transfer''.
Page 62, line 8, strike ``emergency''.
Page 62, line 11, strike ``emergency''.
Page 63, line 9, strike ``emergency''.
Page 63, line 15, strike ``emergency''.
Page 63, line 18, strike ``emergency''.
Page 69, line 19, strike ``subsection'' and insert
``section''.
Page 73, line 7, strike ``subsection'' and insert
``section''.
Page 80, line 9, strike ``external emergency transfer'' and
insert ``external transfer''.
Page 80, line 21, strike ``external emergency transfer''
and insert ``external transfer''.
Page 80, line 24, strike ``external emergency transfer''
and insert ``external transfer''.
Page 84, line 6, strike ``pararaph'' and insert
``paragraph''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentlewoman
from Texas (Ms. Johnson) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.
Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of my
amendment offered to H.R. 1585, the Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act of 2019.
My amendment will ensure that a tenant who is a victim of domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking is able to apply
for an emergency transfer to another available and safe dwelling unit
assisted under a covered housing program. The covered housing provider
shall grant such application.
This amendment has also been scored by the Congressional Budget
Office to have no effect on direct spending or revenues.
In my home State of Texas and my city of Dallas, we are,
unfortunately, deeply familiar with the tragedies involved in domestic
violence. Families have been broken apart and people have lost their
lives to the scourge of domestic violence.
We have the duty to do more to protect these people. Therefore, it is
necessary for us to make clear the distinction in law, the difference
between internal and external transfers. Though it may sound trivial,
this amendment is crucial to providing victims of domestic violence a
sense of safety, security, and dignity.
As representatives of Americans from all corners of our country, we
know that this problem is not unique to any one part of our Nation. It
is widespread and engrossing, and our response to it must also measure
up to the significance of the challenge.
Americans today are in need of protections and assistance to recover
from domestic violence. They need these protections to return to full
and prosperous lives.
By voting in favor of this amendment, Congress is upholding our
sacred obligation to protect the millions of victims and survivors who
need and deserve our wholehearted, full support.
As co-chair of the Congressional Homeless Caucus, I have worked on
housing issues for a long time. I am appreciative of my colleagues on
the Judiciary and Financial Services Committees for their partnership
in strengthening the housing protections in this Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act of 2019.
Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, I claim the time in opposition,
although I am not opposed.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for
5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, I appreciate the gentlewoman's
amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Chair, I simply urge adoption of this
amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Johnson).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 10 Offered by Mrs. Wagner

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 10
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Mrs. WAGNER. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 35, line 3, strike ``and stalking'' and insert
``stalking, and sex trafficking''.
Page 35, strike lines 4 through 17, and insert the
following (and redesignate other provisions accordingly):
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the
end and inserting a semicolon; and
Page 35, lines 22 through 23, strike ``and stalking'' and
insert ``stalking, and sex trafficking''.
Page 36, line 8, insert ``sex trafficking,'' after
``stalking,''.
Page 36, strike lines 11 through 13 (and redesignate other
provisions accordingly).
Page 36, line 15, insert ``and'' after the semicolon.
Page 36, strike lines 16 through 18 (and redesignate other
provisions accordingly).

[[Page H3036]]

who are victims of trafficking, and it develops prevention programming
in middle and high schools.
These are critical services, and this amendment will ensure that the
CHOOSE program can continue to provide funding for programs that
counter sex trafficking, not only other forms of violence.
We cannot unintentionally strip sex trafficking references out of
VAWA text. Sex trafficking is a paramount example of violence against
girls and women, and we must be careful not to disenfranchise these
victims as we legislate.
I thank my colleague from Texas, Representative Sheila Jackson Lee,
and others for cosponsoring my amendment and working to ensure that we
have bipartisan support.
I will also work with my colleagues in the Senate to ensure these
references are restored in the final VAWA legislation.
Madam Chair, I urge my House colleagues to support my amendment and
ensure that child sex trafficking victims maintain access to critical
services, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Chair, I claim time in opposition to the
amendment, although I am not opposed to the amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentlewoman from Texas is
recognized for 5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Chair, I thank Congresswoman Wagner for her
continuing leadership. It has been a pleasure to work with her over the
years in the House Committee on the Judiciary on the question of human
trafficking and sex trafficking.
I am delighted to join this amendment, along with Congresswoman
Maloney from New York. We have a long history of working on the issues
of human trafficking and sex trafficking.
Madam Chair, the International Labor Organization estimates that
there are 40.3 million victims of human trafficking. Twenty-five
percent of them are children; 75 percent of them are women and girls.
It is a tragedy, but one out of seven endangered runaways reported to
the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children were likely
child sex trafficking victims. Of those, 88 percent were in the care of
social services or foster care when they ran.
From 2007 to 2017, the National Human Trafficking Hotline has
received 34,700 sex trafficking cases inside the United States; and, in
2017, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicated
that children continue in 2017, again, to be sex trafficked. The
International Labor Organization, again, estimates that there are 4.8
million people trapped in forced sexual exploitation.

{time} 1615

What is necessary to know is that sex trafficking can be a revolving
door. It is income that sex traffickers and human traffickers use.
I am very delighted to join with Congresswoman Wagner's amendment to
this bill dealing with violence against women because it is an expanded
bill that answers the concerns of so many.
I am glad that this amendment will ensure that the Creating Hope
through Outreach, Options, Service, and Education for Children and
Youth program, the CHOOSE Children and Youth program, can continue to
be programs that address sex trafficking.
It is important to note, in particular, that it is answering the
question of the gap in services in our States for young women who are
at risk and who are struggling to restart their lives. We must ensure
that, once these individuals have been victimized, sex trafficked, we
do all we can to help them heal and recover.
I ask all Members to join in supporting this amendment, which
emphasizes that sex trafficking is a part of our trying to stop and
stomp out for good violence against women. I ask all Members to support
the Wagner-Jackson Lee-Maloney amendment.
Madam Chair, I rise in strong support of the Wagner/Jackson Lee/
Maloney Amendment to H.R. 1585, the Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act of 2019.
The Wagner/Jackson Lee/Maloney makes an improvement to the bill by
drawing attention to the lack of services for child sex trafficking
services and which draws attention to groups like CHOOSE Children and
Youth (Creating Hope through Outreach, Options, Service and Education
for Children and Youth) for educating and preventing sex trafficking.
Madam Chair, while we live in the richest, most powerful country in
the history of the world, in our nation we still see the prevalence of
sex trafficking.
It is important that as we do this work before us today, we emphasize
that sex trafficking is also a form of violence against women and
children.
The Congress--this body--must work to ensure that services for sex
trafficking victims are available.
The Wagner/Jackson Lee/Maloney Amendment addresses the gap in
services in our state for young women who are risk and who are
struggling to restart their lives.
Crime, and especially crimes falling within the umbrella of offenses
addressed in VAWA are unconscionable and intolerable in a civilized
society.
We must ensure that once these individuals have been victimized, we
do all we can to help them heal and recover.
This Jackson Lee/Wagner/Maloney Amendment works towards that end.
I ask all members to support the Wagner/Jackson Lee/Maloney Amendment
and I thank the gentlelady from Missouri for her work.

Notes on Sex Trafficking

Sex Trafficking is an extension of human trafficking

The International Labor Organization estimates that there
are 40.3 million victims of human trafficking globally.
81 percent of them are trapped in forced labor.
25 percent of them are children.
75 percent are women and girls.
The International Labor Organization estimates that forced
labor and human trafficking is a $150 billion industry
worldwide.
The U.S. Department of Labor has identified 148 goods from
75 countries made by forced and child labor.
In 2017, an estimated 1 out of 7 endangered runaways
reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children were likely child sex trafficking victims.
Of those, 88 percent were in the care of social services or
foster care when they ran.
There is no official estimate of the total number of human
trafficking victims in the U.S. Estimates indicate that the
total number of victims nationally reaches into the hundreds
of thousands when estimates of both adults and minors and sex
trafficking and labor trafficking are aggregated.
From 2007 to 2017, the National Human Trafficking Hotline
has received reports of 34,700 sex trafficking cases inside
the United States.
In 2017, the National Center for Missing & Exploited
Children estimated that 1 in 7 endangered runaways reported
to them were likely sex trafficking victims.
The International Labor Organization estimates that there
are 4.8 million people trapped in forced sexual exploitation
globally.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. WAGNER. Madam Chair, I thank my friends across the aisle,
certainly the Representative from Texas, Ms. Sheila Jackson Lee, and my
good friend from New York, Carolyn Maloney, who I know wanted to speak
today on the amendment but is held up in a hearing that she is chairing
presently. I thank them for their bipartisan support, and I urge all my
colleagues to support this amendment.
Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Chair, I yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler), the chairman of the Judiciary
Committee.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
I support this bipartisan amendment, which would ensure that entities
focused on addressing sex trafficking maintain eligibility for CHOOSE
grants.
We know that sex trafficking is a serious problem in the United
States. At this time, CHOOSE grants are available for the purpose of
enhancing the safety of youth and children who are victims of or
exposed to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault,
stalking, or sex trafficking, and for preventing future violence.
This amendment ensures that we continue to provide critical funding
to address sex trafficking in our communities. I urge my colleagues to
support this amendment.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Chair, I am holding up this bill, H.R. 1585.
We are very grateful for the many victims who, once this bill is
passed, will be able to both be honored but also be protected.
At the same time, with the gentlewoman's help, we want to make sure

[[Page H3037]]

that sex trafficked victims are not left out of important historic
legislation like H.R. 1585. With her amendment--and I am pleased to
join it with Congresswoman Maloney--we are ensuring that sex
trafficking and the victims of sex trafficking will be heard, their
voices will be heard. More importantly, there will be resources and
programs that will address their pain but also address their ability to
restore their lives.
I ask my colleagues to support the Wagner-Jackson Lee-Maloney
amendment to H.R. 1585, the Violence Against Women Act.
Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Chair, I rise today in
support of this amendment.
Power and control. The tools of human traffickers are the same as
those of domestic abusers.
Human trafficking and domestic violence are not distinct crimes. They
often overlap. In both cases, it is often intimate partners who traffic
or abuse their victims. In both cases, abusers and traffickers use
emotional manipulation, economic abuse, physical violence--all tactics
to exert power and control over their victims.
Support services for survivors need to recognize the intersections
between sex trafficking and domestic violence, dating violence, sexual
assault and stalking.
That is why this amendment from Congresswoman Wagner is so important.
This amendment would ensure that the Justice Department's Creating
Hope through Outreach, Options, Service and Education for Children and
Youth Program can continue to include programs that address sex
trafficking. We must address both of these crimes individually and we
do.
But we must also acknowledge that these crimes can often overlap and
where they overlap we need to address the patterns that perpetuate this
violence, in order to best serve survivors and connect them with the
resources they need to get the help they deserve.
So I urge my colleagues to support this important amendment and thank
the gentlewoman from Missouri for all of her efforts to combat human
trafficking and domestic abuse.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Missouri
will be postponed.

Amendment No. 11 Offered by Mrs. Wagner

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 11
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Mrs. WAGNER. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 15, strike lines 6 through 12, and insert the
following:
(G) in paragraph (16)--
(i) in subparagraph (C)(i), by striking ``$20,000 in
Department funds, unless the Deputy Attorney General'' and
inserting ``$100,000 in Department funds, unless the Director
or Principal Deputy Director of the Office on Violence
Against Women, the Deputy Attorney General,''; and
(ii) by adding at the end the following:
``(E) Ineligibility.--If the Attorney General finds that a
recipient of grant funds under this Act has fraudulently
misused such grant funds, after reasonable notice and
opportunity for a hearing, such recipient shall not be
eligible to receive grant funds under this Act for up to 5
years. A misuse of grant funds or an error that does not rise
to the level of fraud is not grounds for ineligibility.''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentlewoman
from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Missouri.
Mrs. WAGNER. Madam Chair, I rise today to ask my colleagues to vote
for my amendment that will ensure greater transparency and
accountability when it comes to taxpayer dollars.
The Department of Justice inspector general has found frequent
misconduct, fraud, and abuse in VAWA grant-making. More than $7 billion
in grants has been awarded over the years, and audits have revealed
that too many recipients are out of compliance with the terms of these
grants.
This amendment will ensure that the Office on Violence Against Women
cannot continue to grant VAWA dollars to organizations that are
fraudulently misusing funds. Organizations that misuse funds will lose
their eligibility to receive VAWA grants for up to 5 years.
Errors that do not rise to the level of fraud will not impact an
organization's eligibility, but we must encourage grant recipients to
act with caution and integrity. In this way, we can best serve the
women and girls that VAWA programs are meant to empower.
I thank you for supporting justice and services for America's women
and children and girls, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on my
amendment and broaden access for organizations acting in compliance
with honesty and good faith.
Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the
amendment, although I am not opposed to the amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from New York is
recognized for 5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Chair, I support this amendment, which would make
entities found by the Attorney General to have fraudulently misused
VAWA grant funds ineligible to apply for future grants for up to 5
years.
This amendment tries to guard against the potential misuse of grant
funds, but it does so in a way that safeguards due process, after
reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing.
Any misuse of funds that does not rise to the level of fraud, or that
is merely an error, is insufficient to make a grantee ineligible for
funds and only places a temporary, but sufficiently lengthy, ban on
receipt of funding.
Because this is a commonsense measure, I urge my colleagues to
support this amendment.
Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. WAGNER. Madam Chair, I thank the chairman for his leadership and
for his support of this amendment, and I encourage all my colleagues to
support this amendment.
Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 12 Offered by Mr. Grijalva

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 12
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 131, strike line 8 and all that follows through line
12, and insert the following:
``(B)(i) committed against a victim who is a child under
the age of 18, or an elder (as such term is defined by tribal
law), including when an offender recklessly engages in
conduct that creates a substantial risk of death or serious
bodily injury to the victim, or committed as described in
subparagraph (A) while the child or elder is present; and
``(ii) the child or elder--
``(I) resides or has resided in the same household as the
offender;
``(II) is related to the offender by blood or marriage;
``(III) is related to another victim of the offender by
blood or marriage;
``(IV) is under the care of a victim of the offender who is
an intimate partner or former spouse; or
``(V) is under the care of a victim of the offender who is
similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the
domestic- or family- violence laws of an Indian tribe that
has jurisdiction over the Indian country where the violence
occurs.''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentleman
from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Chair, as we have heard over and over today, and
justifiably so, the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act
is critical for women across this country. This bill will ensure the
safety of women, especially Native American women.
My amendment will expand the definition of domestic violence to
include violence against or witnessed by a

[[Page H3038]]

child or elder, as defined by Tribal law. This important amendment will
allow Tribes to ensure that perpetrators acting violently toward or
near children or elders receive consequences for their actions.
The Tulalip Tribe is one of the first Tribes to implement the Special
Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction from the 2013 Violence Against
Women Act reauthorization. They immediately experienced the
implications of not having this protection for children and elders in
their jurisdiction.
Of the 30 cases they received in Tribal court, 20 involved children
and/or elders. Although the violence impacted the child or the elder,
the Tribal court was not able to prosecute. When the jurisdiction moved
to the State, it did not prosecute the remaining 20 cases in State
court. Justice was not served for the children and/or the elders
experiencing violence.
In 2010, the Attorney General's report on American Indian and Alaska
Native children exposed to violence included the recommendation that
Congress should restore the inherent authority of American Indian and
Alaska Native Tribes to assert jurisdiction over persons who commit
crimes against American Indian and Alaska Native children.
This amendment is a step toward guaranteeing that Congress keeps
American Indian and Alaska Native children and elders safe. By passing
this amendment, Congress will restore the inherent authority for the
Tulalip Tribe and others to fully secure the safety of Tribal children
and elders throughout Indian Country.
I urge my colleagues to protect Native children and elders by
supporting this amendment.
Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, I claim the time in opposition,
although I am not opposed.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for
5 minutes.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Chair, I have no other speakers, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 13 Offered by Mr. Grijalva

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 13
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 134, strike line 3 and all that follows through page
135, line 18, and insert the following:
(9) by striking subsections (f), (g), and (h) and inserting
the following:
``(f) Grants and Reimbursement to Tribal Governments.--
``(1) Reimbursement.--
``(A) In general.--The Attorney General is authorized to
reimburse tribal government authorities for expenses incurred
in exercising special tribal criminal jurisdiction.
``(B) Eligible expenses.--Eligible expenses for
reimbursement shall include--
``(i) expenses incurred to arrest or prosecute offenders
and to detain inmates (including costs associated with
providing health care);
``(ii) expenses related to indigent defense services; and
``(iii) costs associated with probation and rehabilitation
services.
``(C) Procedure.--Reimbursements authorized pursuant to
this section shall be in accordance with rules promulgated by
the Attorney General after consultation with Indian tribes
and within one year after the date of enactment of this Act.
The rules promulgated by the Department shall set a maximum
allowable reimbursement to any tribal government in a one
year period.
``(2) Grants.--The Attorney General may award grants to the
governments of Indian tribes (or to authorized designees of
those governments)--
``(A) to strengthen tribal criminal justice systems to
assist Indian tribes in exercising special tribal criminal
jurisdiction, including--
``(i) law enforcement (including the capacity of law
enforcement, court personnel, or other non-law enforcement
entities that have no Federal or State arrest authority
agencies but have been designated by a tribe as responsible
for maintaining public safety within its territorial
jurisdiction, to enter information into and obtain
information from national crime information databases);
``(ii) prosecution;
``(iii) trial and appellate courts (including facilities
construction);
``(iv) probation systems;
``(v) detention and correctional facilities (including
facilities construction);
``(vi) alternative rehabilitation centers;
``(vii) culturally appropriate services and assistance for
victims and their families; and
``(viii) criminal codes and rules of criminal procedure,
appellate procedure, and evidence;
``(B) to provide indigent criminal defendants with the
effective assistance of licensed defense counsel, at no cost
to the defendant, in criminal proceedings in which a
participating tribe prosecutes--
``(i) a crime of domestic violence;
``(ii) a crime of dating violence;
``(iii) a criminal violation of a protection order;
``(iv) a crime of sexual violence;
``(v) a crime of stalking;
``(vi) a crime of sex trafficking;
``(vii) a crime of obstruction of justice; or
``(viii) a crime of assault of a law enforcement or
correctional officer;
``(C) to ensure that, in criminal proceedings in which a
participating tribe exercises special tribal criminal
jurisdiction, jurors are summoned, selected, and instructed
in a manner consistent with all applicable requirements;
``(D) to accord victims of domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual violence, stalking, sex trafficking,
obstruction of justice, assault of a law enforcement or
correctional officer, and violations of protection orders
rights that are similar to the rights of a crime victim
described in section 3771(a) of title 18, consistent with
tribal law and custom; and
``(E) to create a pilot project to allow up to five Indian
tribes in Alaska to implement special tribal criminal
jurisdiction.
``(g) Indian Country Defined.--For purposes of the pilot
project described in subsection (f)(2)(E), the definition of
`Indian country' shall include Alaska Native-owned Townsites,
Allotments, and former reservation lands acquired in fee by
Alaska Native Village Corporations pursuant to the Alaska
Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 33) and other lands
transferred in fee to Native villages.
``(h) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Amounts made available
under this section shall supplement and not supplant any
other Federal, State, tribal, or local government amounts
made available to carry out activities described in this
section.
``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated $7,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2020 through 2024 to carry out subsection (f) and to
provide training, technical assistance, data collection, and
evaluation of the criminal justice systems of participating
tribes.
``(j) Use of Funds.--Not less than 25 percent of the total
amount of funds appropriated under this section in a given
year shall be used for each of the purposes described in
paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (f), with remaining
funds available to be distributed for either of the purposes
described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (f), or any
combination of such purposes, depending on need and in
consultation with Indian tribes.''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentleman
from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.

Modification to Amendment No. 13 Offered by Mr. Grijalva

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Chair, I ask unanimous consent that my amendment
be modified in the form that I have placed at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the modification.
The Clerk read as follows:
Modification to Amendment No. 13 Offered by Mr. Grijalva:

The amendment is modified to read as follows:
Page 134, strike line 3 and all that follows through page
135, line 18, and insert the following:
(9) by striking subsections (f), (g), and (h) and inserting
the following:
``(f) Grants and Reimbursement to Tribal Governments.--
``(1) Reimbursement.--
``(A) In general.--The Attorney General is authorized to
reimburse tribal government authorities for expenses incurred
in exercising special tribal criminal jurisdiction.
``(B) Eligible expenses.--Eligible expenses for
reimbursement shall include--
``(i) expenses incurred to arrest or prosecute offenders
and to detain inmates (including costs associated with
providing health care);
``(ii) expenses related to indigent defense services; and
``(iii) costs associated with probation and rehabilitation
services.
``(C) Procedure.--Reimbursements authorized pursuant to
this section shall be in accordance with rules promulgated by
the Attorney General after consultation with Indian tribes
and within one year after the date of enactment of this Act.
The rules promulgated by the Department shall set a

[[Page H3039]]

maximum allowable reimbursement to any tribal government in a
one year period.
``(2) Grants.--The Attorney General may award grants to the
governments of Indian tribes (or to authorized designees of
those governments)--
``(A) to strengthen tribal criminal justice systems to
assist Indian tribes in exercising special tribal criminal
jurisdiction, including--
``(i) law enforcement (including the capacity of law
enforcement, court personnel, or other non-law enforcement
entities that have no Federal or State arrest authority
agencies but have been designated by a tribe as responsible
for maintaining public safety within its territorial
jurisdiction, to enter information into and obtain
information from national crime information databases);
``(ii) prosecution;
``(iii) trial and appellate courts (including facilities
construction);
``(iv) probation systems;
``(v) detention and correctional facilities (including
facilities construction);
``(vi) alternative rehabilitation centers;
``(vii) culturally appropriate services and assistance for
victims and their families; and
``(viii) criminal codes and rules of criminal procedure,
appellate procedure, and evidence;
``(B) to provide indigent criminal defendants with the
effective assistance of licensed defense counsel, at no cost
to the defendant, in criminal proceedings in which a
participating tribe prosecutes--
``(i) a crime of domestic violence;
``(ii) a crime of dating violence;
``(iii) a criminal violation of a protection order;
``(iv) a crime of sexual violence;
``(v) a crime of stalking;
``(vi) a crime of sex trafficking;
``(vii) a crime of obstruction of justice; or
``(viii) a crime of assault of a law enforcement or
correctional officer;
``(C) to ensure that, in criminal proceedings in which a
participating tribe exercises special tribal criminal
jurisdiction, jurors are summoned, selected, and instructed
in a manner consistent with all applicable requirements;
``(D) to accord victims of domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual violence, stalking, sex trafficking,
obstruction of justice, assault of a law enforcement or
correctional officer, and violations of protection orders
rights that are similar to the rights of a crime victim
described in section 3771(a) of title 18, consistent with
tribal law and custom; and
``(E) to create a pilot project to allow up to five Indian
tribes in Alaska to implement special tribal criminal
jurisdiction.
``(g) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Amounts made available
under this section shall supplement and not supplant any
other Federal, State, tribal, or local government amounts
made available to carry out activities described in this
section.
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated $7,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2020 through 2024 to carry out subsection (f) and to
provide training, technical assistance, data collection, and
evaluation of the criminal justice systems of participating
tribes.
``(i) Use of Funds.--Not less than 25 percent of the total
amount of funds appropriated under this section in a given
year shall be used for each of the purposes described in
paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (f), with remaining
funds available to be distributed for either of the purposes
described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (f), or any
combination of such purposes, depending on need and in
consultation with Indian tribes.''.

Mr. GRIJALVA (during the reading). Madam Chair, I ask unanimous
consent that the reading of the modification be dispensed with.
The Acting CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman
from Arizona?
There was no objection.
The Acting CHAIR. Is there objection to the original request of the
gentleman from Arizona?
There was no objection.
The Acting CHAIR. The amendment is modified.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Chair, the underlying bill will provide a
historic extension of Tribal jurisdiction and ensure that more Native
people receive the proper legal protections against people who commit
violence toward them.
Unfortunately, during the historic passage of the 2013 Violence
Against Women reauthorization, the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe quickly
realized the cost of implementing this important provision was pricey.
Cost concerns about implementing Tribal jurisdiction are generally
related to incarceration, healthcare, and jury selection.
Further, a National Congress of American Indians report found that
there are multiple implementation costs related to incarceration,
healthcare, code development, law enforcement, and prosecutors. This
hinders some Tribes from implementing the most important provisions
related to the Violence Against Women Act.
Unlike States, Tribes do not have the ability to tax for the costs
related to implementing these important provisions that protect its
people.
With the support of Representative Kildee, who represents the area of
the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe, the amendment I am offering will help
alleviate the costs Tribes will incur due to the expanded criminal
jurisdiction provision.
This amendment would authorize the Department of Justice to reimburse
Tribes that incur costs related to arrest, indigent defense services,
and rehabilitation services.
Further, this amendment provides language allowing DOJ to award
grants to improve their law enforcement, detention and correctional
facilities, culturally appropriate services, and criminal code
development.
I urge my colleagues to protect Indian Country from violence and
support this amendment that will ease the costs incurred by Tribes for
implementing this historic bill.
Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, I claim the time in opposition,
although at this point I am not necessarily opposed.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for
5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Chair, I have no other speakers. I yield back the
balance of my time.

{time} 1630

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, I do think it is interesting,
for a sovereign government, the expansion should come out of the funds
here is the only concern I would have on this, but other than that, I
yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment, as modified,
offered by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva).
The amendment, as modified, was agreed to.

Amendment No. 14 Offered by Mr. Emmer

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 14
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Mr. EMMER. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 32, after line 24, insert the following (and conform
the table of contents accordingly):

SECTION 205. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM ON TRAUMA-INFORMED
TRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Title IV of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement
Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 10101 note) is amended by adding at
the end the following:

``Subtitle Q--Trauma-informed Training for Law Enforcement

``SEC. 41701. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM ON TRAUMA-INFORMED
TRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
``(1) the term `Attorney General' means the Attorney
General, acting through the Director of the Office on
Violence Against Women;
``(2) the term `covered individual' means an individual who
interfaces with victims of domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, and stalking, including--
``(A) an individual working for or on behalf of an eligible
entity;
``(B) a school or university administrator; and
``(C) an emergency services or medical employee;
``(3) the term `demonstration site', with respect to an
eligible entity that receives a grant under this section,
means--
``(A) if the eligible entity is a law enforcement agency
described in paragraph (4)(A), the area over which the
eligible entity has jurisdiction; and
``(B) if the eligible entity is an organization or agency
described in paragraph (4)(B), the area over which a law
enforcement agency described in paragraph (4)(A) that is
working in collaboration with the eligible entity has
jurisdiction; and
``(4) the term `eligible entity' means--
``(A) a State, local, territorial, or Tribal law
enforcement agency; or
``(B) a national, regional, or local victim services
organization or agency working in collaboration with a law
enforcement agency described in subparagraph (A).
``(b) Grants Authorized.--
``(1) In general.--The Attorney General shall award grants
on a competitive basis to

[[Page H3040]]

eligible entities to carry out the demonstration program
under this section by implementing evidence-based or
promising policies and practices to incorporate trauma-
informed techniques designed to--
``(A) prevent re-traumatization of the victim;
``(B) ensure that covered individuals use evidence-based
practices to respond to and investigate cases of domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking;
``(C) improve communication between victims and law
enforcement officers in an effort to increase the likelihood
of the successful investigation and prosecution of the
reported crime in a manner that protects the victim to the
greatest extent possible;
``(D) increase collaboration among stakeholders who are
part of the coordinated community response to domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; and
``(E) evaluate the effectiveness of the training process
and content by measuring--
``(i) investigative and prosecutorial practices and
outcomes; and
``(ii) the well-being of victims and their satisfaction
with the criminal justice process.
``(2) Term.--The Attorney General shall make grants under
this section for each of the first 2 fiscal years beginning
after the date of enactment of this Act.
``(3) Award basis.--The Attorney General shall award grants
under this section to multiple eligible entities for use in a
variety of settings and communities, including--
``(A) urban, suburban, Tribal, remote, and rural areas;
``(B) college campuses; or
``(C) traditionally underserved communities.
``(c) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity that receives a
grant under this section shall use the grant to--
``(1) train covered individuals within the demonstration
site of the eligible entity to use evidence-based, trauma-
informed techniques and knowledge of crime victims' rights
throughout an investigation into domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, or stalking, including by--
``(A) conducting victim interviews in a manner that--
``(i) elicits valuable information about the domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and
``(ii) avoids re-traumatization of the victim;
``(B) conducting field investigations that mirror best and
promising practices available at the time of the
investigation;
``(C) customizing investigative approaches to ensure a
culturally and linguistically appropriate approach to the
community being served;
``(D) becoming proficient in understanding and responding
to complex cases, including cases of domestic violence,
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking--
``(i) facilitated by alcohol or drugs;
``(ii) involving strangulation;
``(iii) committed by a non-stranger;
``(iv) committed by an individual of the same sex as the
victim;
``(v) involving a victim with a disability;
``(vi) involving a male victim; or
``(vii) involving a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender
(commonly referred to as `LGBT') victim;
``(E) developing collaborative relationships between--
``(i) law enforcement officers and other members of the
response team; and
``(ii) the community being served; and
``(F) developing an understanding of how to define,
identify, and correctly classify a report of domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and
``(2) promote the efforts of the eligible entity to improve
the response of covered individuals to domestic violence,
dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking through various
communication channels, such as the website of the eligible
entity, social media, print materials, and community
meetings, in order to ensure that all covered individuals
within the demonstration site of the eligible entity are
aware of those efforts and included in trainings, to the
extent practicable.
``(d) Demonstration Program Trainings on Trauma-informed
Approaches.--
``(1) Identification of existing trainings.--
``(A) In general.--The Attorney General shall identify
trainings for law enforcement officers, in existence as of
the date on which the Attorney General begins to solicit
applications for grants under this section, that--
``(i) employ a trauma-informed approach to domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; and
``(ii) focus on the fundamentals of--

``(I) trauma responses; and
``(II) the impact of trauma on victims of domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

``(B) Selection.--An eligible entity that receives a grant
under this section shall select one or more of the approaches
employed by a training identified under subparagraph (A) to
test within the demonstration site of the eligible entity.
``(2) Consultation.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
Attorney General shall consult with the Director of the
Office for Victims of Crime in order to seek input from and
cultivate consensus among outside practitioners and other
stakeholders through facilitated discussions and focus groups
on best practices in the field of trauma-informed care for
victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual
assault, and stalking.
``(e) Evaluation.--The Attorney General, in consultation
with the Director of the National Institute of Justice, shall
require each eligible entity that receives a grant under this
section to identify a research partner, preferably a local
research partner, to--
``(1) design a system for generating and collecting the
appropriate data to facilitate an independent process or
impact evaluation of the use of the grant funds;
``(2) periodically conduct an evaluation described in
paragraph (1); and
``(3) periodically make publicly available, during the
grant period--
``(A) preliminary results of the evaluations conducted
under paragraph (2); and
``(B) recommendations for improving the use of the grant
funds.
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--The Attorney
General shall carry out this section using amounts otherwise
available to the Attorney General.
``(g) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall
be construed to interfere with the due process rights of any
individual.''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentleman
from Minnesota (Mr. Emmer) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota.
Mr. EMMER. Madam Chair, as we consider the Violence Against Women
Act, or VAWA, reauthorization, I offer an amendment to allow for a
demonstration program that will issue grants to promote trauma-informed
training for law enforcement and other personnel.
The amendment is substantially similar to the Abby Honold Act, which
has been led by bipartisan Minnesota Members of Congress. The amendment
does not authorize new appropriations, but merely enables existing
funds to be used for training that ultimately could save lives and help
find the perpetrators of an assault.
The amendment aims to help victims of sexual crimes, in addition to
those who have experienced other forms of trauma, by improving the care
and treatment they receive after the event.
Specifically, the amendment will create a voluntary grant program to
train law enforcement agencies in evidence-based, trauma-informed
interview techniques to prevent retraumatization of victims, improve
communication between victims and law enforcement, and ensure accurate
and complete information is submitted to law enforcement.
The amendment and bill is in honor of Abby Honold, who attended the
University of Minnesota. Abby was the victim of rape, but I know her as
one of the bravest people I have ever met for being able to publicly
share her story and fight for changes to the law that will help
countless Americans.
During traumatic events, parts of the brain shut down and block
shocking experiences, shielding the victim, but affecting recollection.
When searching for evidence of criminal behavior, many interview
techniques are not developed to comfort the victim and effectively
access these memories. Information collected in the normal manner may
inhibit memory recall and accuracy of events and details. This often
leads to suspicion of the victim.
Thankfully, Abby was treated by a nurse who had been trained to
provide trauma-informed techniques that allowed the nurse to ask
sensitive questions in a respectful way that enabled an accurate
recount of events. Nurse Walther, who interviewed Abby, made her feel
comfortable, and by using the trauma-informed techniques, avoided
retraumatization.
The difference that we can make for victims by providing training for
these techniques will ensure that recovery and healing can occur for
victims of these traumatic instances.
Abby also encountered Officer Kevin Randolph, who went above and
beyond to help her win her case against her perpetrator because he
understood how these techniques lead to more accurate information and
ensured prosecution.
In Minnesota alone, 2,000 women report being raped or sexually
assaulted every year. Abby's Act will help law enforcement investigate
sexual assault cases and improve care and treatment for victims.
The amendment establishes a pilot program to train law enforcement,
first responders, university officials, or any

[[Page H3041]]

other personnel who interface with victims of sexual violence in
trauma-informed techniques focused on preventing retraumatization of
the victim, improving communication and rapport between victims and law
enforcement, as well as collaboration between the different entities
that assist a victim of sexual violence.
Sexual assault is a crime, and it is vital for law enforcement to
have accurate and complete information to prosecute it. For Abby and
for the thousands of victims who experience trauma, this is a key part
of their recovery process, as is a compassionate response in the
immediate aftermath of an event.
This pilot program would be an important step forward to provide
better treatment to sexual assault victims in crisis and to make
certain it is treated like the serious crime that it is.
I am disappointed that the bill before us today will be a partisan
vote and Republicans on the Judiciary Committee were excluded from the
process, but I offer this bipartisan amendment as a demonstration that
we can still work together.
I also hope the Senate considers this body's overwhelming support for
the Abby Honold Act as it contemplates VAWA reauthorization.
Abby has been a strong advocate for the use of trauma-informed care
by law enforcement, and I have been fortunate to work with her and our
law enforcement community on this important legislation.
A good first step to holding those accountable is ensuring law
enforcement has the tools and resources needed to investigate these
crimes.
This bill is just one step towards solving a clear problem across our
country.
Victims of sexual assault deserve the best possible care and the most
compassionate response following their trauma, and we can provide it
now. We must all work together to ensure these crimes are treated as
the heinous acts they are, with the hope that one day they cease
altogether.
The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentleman from Minnesota has
expired.
Ms. JAYAPAL. Madam Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the
amendment, even though I am not opposed to it.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentlewoman from Washington
is recognized for 5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Ms. JAYAPAL. Madam Chair, I am very proud to cosponsor this
bipartisan amendment with my colleague from Minnesota to provide access
to training on trauma-informed techniques for law enforcement and other
agencies that respond to survivors of domestic violence and sexual
assault.
Unfortunately, as you well know, despite our best efforts, rape and
sexual assault continue to be underreported, and the statistic tells us
that, out of every 1,000 rapes, 995 perpetrators will walk free.

One thing we can do to address this is to make sure that
investigators have training on trauma-informed techniques to work with
the survivors of sexual violence so that investigators don't further
harm survivors. This is not just in the best interest of the survivor,
but it is also to make sure that law enforcement can hold perpetrators
accountable.
I am particularly moved by the courage and the determination of Abby
Honold, the namesake of this amendment, and many, many women across my
State and across the country who have suffered the same situation as
she has.
Ms. Honold endured a brutal attack, and then she did something truly
courageous. And let me just say, Madam Chair, that it is courageous to
continue to submit yourself to investigation after a brutal assault.
She took action to call attention to the importance of the trauma-
informed services she received that helped her to pursue justice, and
today, her work has resulted in this amendment to ensure that others
will be able to provide the same kind of assistance that she received.
So as we recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month, I hope that my
colleagues will support this amendment to the reauthorization of the
Violence Against Women Act, traditionally a bipartisan act in this
Chamber.
When Congress passed VAWA 25 years ago, it was a landmark achievement
that sent a very clear message to people living in abusive or violent
situations that we saw them, that we would stand with them. With each
reauthorization, we continue to expand critical protections and make
improvements like this amendment to better serve survivors.
Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms.
Omar), my colleague on this side of the aisle.
Ms. OMAR. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of this amendment.
This amendment to the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act
includes language of a bill that I am proud to be an original cosponsor
of called the Abby Honold Act.
Abby is a constituent of mine, a former student at the University of
Minnesota. A survivor of sexual assault, she has been a fierce champion
of this initiative and was the driving force behind this legislation
that bears her name.
I want to make sure that my colleagues support this amendment on
behalf of the thousands of victims who experience trauma. This is a key
part of their recovery process and a crucial response to the immediate
aftermath.
Ms. JAYAPAL. Madam Chair, we look forward to everyone supporting this
amendment. We hope that we continue to operate in a bipartisan fashion
in this Chamber to pass not only this amendment, but the full
reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.
Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Emmer).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 15 Offered by Mr. Quigley

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 15
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 171, insert after line 2, the following (and conform
the table of contents accordingly):

SEC. 1408. REVIEW ON LINK BETWEEN SUBSTANCE USE AND VICTIMS
OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL
ASSAULT, OR STALKING.

Not later than 24 months after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human
Services shall complete a review and submit a report to
Congress on whether being a victim of domestic violence,
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking increases the
likelihood of having a substance use disorder.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentleman
from Illinois (Mr. Quigley) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Chair, I yield myself as much time as I may
consume.
Madam Chair, I rise today to offer this straightforward, commonsense
amendment that does not affect direct spending or revenues.
My amendment requires the Secretary of HHS to complete a review of
the relationship between survival of domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, or stalking and the likelihood of developing
a substance use disorder.
This information is vital because we know traumatic experiences such
as domestic violence are associated with behavioral health conditions;
we know that behavioral health conditions are associated with substance
use disorders; and we know that substance use is linked to traumatic
experiences. What we don't know is if survivors of domestic violence
have an increased likelihood of developing a substance use disorder.
Although the evidence exists, we have yet to conduct a comprehensive
review of the data to make the connection.
It is important to understand the nature and impact of trauma to
effectively serve those who have suffered. If the review indicates a
connection, it would help providers prevent domestic violence survivors
from developing a substance use disorder and enable survivors to access
preventative and more comprehensive services.
This review will also give a better understanding of the broader
impacts

[[Page H3042]]

and effects of trauma on survivors. Social stigma silences both
domestic violence survivors and those suffering from substance use
disorders. We cannot allow survivors to be silenced any longer.
To reduce stigma, we must talk about these issues, better educate
ourselves on the struggles of those living with them, and let survivors
know they are not alone. By acknowledging that there might be a
connection between domestic violence survival and substance use
disorders, we can begin the conversation and let victims know that we
are willing and able to support them through their recovery.
Congress has a responsibility to victims and survivors. This
amendment and, more broadly, this bill is one step toward fulfilling
that responsibility.
Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, I claim the time in opposition
to the amendment, even though I am not opposed to it.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for
5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick).
Mr. FITZPATRICK. Madam Chair, I rise today in strong support of
legislation introduced by myself and Representative Karen Bass to
reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.
VAWA programs have provided educational tools and helped survivors
and their families get the resources they need to protect themselves
and to begin the healing process. This should not be a partisan issue.

{time} 1645

I would like to thank Congresswoman Bass for her leadership. She is a
valued partner in this fight, and I am grateful that we can make this
bill bipartisan.
Across our country, Madam Chair, millions of women and children have
been saved by the programs funded through VAWA. Shelters, counseling,
training, and law enforcement are all key parts of a national strategy
to end domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and
stalking.
In the district I represent, in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, in
Pennsylvania, and in all of our districts, VAWA programs are saving
lives.
A Woman's Place in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, relies on VAWA funding
to save lives. Unlike some larger women's organizations, their
emergency housing only has room for seven families. Nonetheless, their
shelter saved 150 women and children who were in imminent danger, often
fleeing for their lives.
Another Bucks County organization, Network of Victim Assistance, or
NOVA, has helped more than 3,600 victims of sexual assault, human
trafficking, stalking, and other serious crimes. NOVA's work to expand
prevention programs, which is essential to preventing violence, is
supported by VAWA.
This bill also includes my Combat Online Predators Act, which will
increase penalties for cyberstalking against children. My constituent,
Madison Zezzo, was cyberstalked by a then 51-year-old predator, who was
only sentenced to probation and counseling. Three years later, he made
contact with Madison again and created a web of social media accounts
to cyberstalk her. He was later sentenced to between 18 months and 7
years in prison.
From domestic violence and sexual assault to cyberstalking, we must
do more to prevent violence and, when it does happen, to support
victims and bring perpetrators to justice.
Madam Chair, the Violence Against Women Act will help us do all these
things. I urge my colleagues, both Democrat and Republican alike, to
support this legislation, which will save lives in all of our
communities.
Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Chair, I yield the balance of my time to the
gentlewoman from Oklahoma (Ms. Kendra S. Horn), an extraordinary
advocate on this issue.
Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman
from Illinois for yielding time to me to speak on this important topic.
Madam Chair, I rise in support of this amendment today which directs
the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study the relationship
between domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking
experience and the likelihood of developing a substance use disorder.
This information is critical. If we are going to make smart policy,
we must take an evidence-based approach. We must understand the nature
and impact of trauma to best serve those who have suffered.
We know traumatic experiences, such as domestic violence, are
associated with behavioral conditions, including substance abuse; and
we know that these behavioral health conditions are also associated
with collective trauma. The full impact of trauma is only now beginning
to be understood as tools such as the Adverse Childhood Experiences
Score, or ACES, begin to inform this.
As the gentleman from Illinois mentioned, broadening our
understanding will weaken stigma. Far too often, social stigma silences
both domestic violence survivors and those suffering from substance use
disorders. We must empower them, not further traumatize them.
To reduce this stigma, we have to continue to talk about these
issues, educate ourselves about these issues, and support those who are
struggling with them. This amendment and, more broadly, this bill is an
important step towards fulfilling that responsibility.
Reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act reaffirms and expands
protections for women everywhere. It improves services available to
survivors, empowers local law enforcement to protect their communities,
prevents stalkers and abusers from obtaining firearms, and strengthens
protections against discrimination in housing and the workplace--
because everyone, everywhere deserves a life free from abuse.
Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, so we
can better protect and treat those who have experienced unspeakable
suffering, and to support the reauthorization of the Violence Against
Women Act.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Chair, I ask support for the amendment, and I
yield back the balance of my time.

The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Quigley).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 16 Offered by Ms. Meng

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 16
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Ms. MENG. Madam Chair, as the designee of the gentlewoman from New
Hampshire (Ms. Kuster), I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 171, insert after line 2 the following (and conform
the table of contents accordingly):

SEC. 1408. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP TO STUDY FEDERAL EFFORTS
TO COLLECT DATA ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE.

(a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall
establish an interagency working group (in this section
referred to as the ``Working Group'') to study Federal
efforts to collect data on sexual violence and to make
recommendations on the harmonization of such efforts.
(b) Composition.--The Working Group shall be comprised of
at least one representative from the following agencies, who
shall be selected by the head of that agency:
(1) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(2) The Department of Education.
(3) The Department of Health and Human Services.
(4) The Department of Justice.
(c) Duties.--The Working Group shall consider the
following:
(1) What activity constitutes different acts of sexual
violence.
(2) Whether reports that use the same terms for acts of
sexual violence are collecting the same data on these acts.
(3) Whether the context which led to an act of sexual
violence should impact how that act is accounted for in
reports.
(4) Whether the data collected is presented in a way that
allows the general public to understand what acts of sexual
violence are included in each measurement.
(5) Steps that agencies that compile reports relating to
sexual violence can take to avoid double counting incidents
of sexual violence.

[[Page H3043]]

(d) Report Required.--Not later than 2 years after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Working Group shall publish
and submit to Congress a report on the following:
(1) The activities of the Working Group.
(2) Recommendations to harmonize Federal efforts to collect
data on sexual violence.
(3) Actions Federal agencies can take to implement the
recommendations described in paragraph (2).
(4) Recommendations for congressional action to implement
the recommendations described in paragraph (2).
(e) Termination.--The Working Group shall terminate 30 days
after the date on which the report is submitted pursuant to
subsection (d).
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Harmonize.--The term ``harmonize'' includes efforts to
coordinate sexual violence data collection to produce
complementary information, as appropriate, without
compromising programmatic needs.
(2) Sexual violence.--The term ``sexual violence'' includes
an unwanted sexual act (including both contact and non-
contact) about which the Federal Government collects
information.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentlewoman
from New York (Ms. Meng) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.
Ms. MENG. Madam Chair, I rise today in strong support of
Congresswoman Kuster's bipartisan amendment that calls on key Federal
agencies to harmonize their sexual violence surveys and reporting
systems.
This amendment was inspired by a Government Accountability Office
study that found Federal agencies engaged in collecting data on sexual
violence are using different terminology for the same types of sex
crimes, and these crimes are being categorized in dissimilar ways.
As one example, an act some Federal surveys identified as rape is
considered ``nonconsensual sex acts'' or ``sexual coercion'' in others.
For another survey, attempted nonconsensual sex acts are not
specifically included in the definition of ``nonconsensual sex acts''
in the survey, even though they are counted in overarching measurement
of this behavior.
These surveys and reporting systems are important, but their
ambiguities and inconsistencies are very problematic and need to be
corrected.
Ms. Kuster's amendment requires four Federal agencies that conduct
eight critical sexual violence surveys to form a working group to help
improve coordination and develop clearer sexual violence terminology
and categorization. This working group will then complete a report
identifying the internal steps and congressional action that can be
taken to address this issue.
I know Ms. Kuster is proud that this amendment is bipartisan, and she
has asked me to extend her thanks to our colleagues, Representatives
Turner, Speier, Morelle, and Raskin, for joining her to introduce it
for consideration within this landmark legislation to reauthorize the
Violence Against Women Act.
Additionally, she is grateful to House Judiciary Committee leadership
for their support, and to Senators McCaskill and Johnson for
shepherding a similar bill through the Senate last year.
Madam Chair, we know the #MeToo movement continues to shed a light on
the disturbing prevalence of sexual violence in our country. For
survivors, it has been a powerful and moving reminder that they are not
alone. For all of us, it has been a wake-up call that the status quo is
unacceptable and will not be tolerated anymore.
In order to fully understand the scope of the challenge we face, we
need reliable, transparent data. The Federal Government has a critical
role to play to that end. We have tremendous confidence that better
communication amongst these agencies, coupled with thoughtfully
harmonized terminology and categorization, will yield more accurate
data. Armed with that knowledge, we can better prevent and end the
scourge of sexual violence.
Madam Chair, I urge support of Ms. Kuster's amendment, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, I claim the time in opposition,
although I am not opposed to the amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for
5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my
time.
Ms. MENG. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Meng).
The amendment was agreed to.

Announcement by the Acting Chair

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, proceedings
will now resume on those amendments printed in part B of House Report
116-32 on which further proceedings were postponed, in the following
order:
Amendment No. 1 by Mr. Jeffries of New York.
Amendment No. 2 by Ms. Scanlon of Pennsylvania.
Amendment No. 7 by Ms. Waters of California.
Amendment No. 10 by Mrs. Wagner of Missouri.
The Chair will reduce to 2 minutes the minimum time for any
electronic vote after the first vote in this series.

Amendment No. 1 Offered by Mr. Jeffries

The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a
recorded vote on amendment No. 1 offered by the gentleman from New York
(Mr. Jeffries) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which
the ayes prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.

Recorded Vote

The Acting CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 363,
noes 67, not voting 7, as follows:

[Roll No. 147]

AYES--363

Adams
Aderholt
Aguilar
Allred
Amodei
Armstrong
Arrington
Axne
Bacon
Balderson
Barragan
Bass
Beatty
Bera
Bergman
Beyer
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Blumenauer
Blunt Rochester
Bonamici
Bost
Boyle, Brendan F.
Brady
Brindisi
Brooks (IN)
Brown (MD)
Brownley (CA)
Buchanan
Buck
Bucshon
Bustos
Butterfield
Byrne
Calvert
Carbajal
Cardenas
Carson (IN)
Carter (GA)
Cartwright
Case
Casten (IL)
Castor (FL)
Castro (TX)
Chu, Judy
Cicilline
Cisneros
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Cohen
Cole
Collins (GA)
Collins (NY)
Comer
Conaway
Connolly
Cook
Cooper
Correa
Costa
Courtney
Cox (CA)
Craig
Crawford
Crenshaw
Crist
Crow
Cuellar
Cummings
Cunningham
Curtis
Davids (KS)
Davidson (OH)
Davis (CA)
Davis, Danny K.
Davis, Rodney
Dean
DeFazio
DeGette
DeLauro
DelBene
Delgado
Demings
DeSaulnier
Deutch
Diaz-Balart
Dingell
Doggett
Doyle, Michael F.
Duffy
Dunn
Emmer
Engel
Escobar
Eshoo
Espaillat
Evans
Finkenauer
Fitzpatrick
Fleischmann
Fletcher
Flores
Fortenberry
Foster
Foxx (NC)
Frankel
Fudge
Fulcher
Gabbard
Gallagher
Gallego
Garamendi
Garcia (IL)
Garcia (TX)
Gianforte
Gibbs
Golden
Gomez
Gonzalez (OH)
Gonzalez (TX)
Gonzalez-Colon (PR)
Gottheimer
Graves (MO)
Green (TX)
Griffith
Grijalva
Guest
Guthrie
Haaland
Hagedorn
Harder (CA)
Hartzler
Hastings
Hayes
Heck
Herrera Beutler
Higgins (LA)
Higgins (NY)
Hill (AR)
Hill (CA)
Himes
Hollingsworth
Horn, Kendra S.
Horsford
Houlahan
Hoyer
Hudson
Huffman
Huizenga
Hurd (TX)
Jackson Lee
Jayapal
Jeffries
Johnson (GA)
Johnson (LA)
Johnson (OH)
Johnson (TX)
Joyce (OH)
Kaptur
Katko
Keating
Kelly (IL)
Kennedy
Khanna
Kildee
Kilmer
Kim
Kind
King (NY)
Kinzinger
Kirkpatrick
Krishnamoorthi
Kuster (NH)
Kustoff (TN)
LaHood
LaMalfa
Lamb
Lamborn
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latta
Lawrence
Lawson (FL)
Lee (CA)
Lee (NV)
Levin (CA)
Levin (MI)
Lewis
Lieu, Ted
Lipinski
Loebsack
Lofgren
Long
Lowenthal
Lowey
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lujan
Luria
Lynch
Malinowski
Maloney, Carolyn B.
Maloney, Sean
Marchant
Marshall
Mast
Matsui
McAdams
McBath
McCarthy
McCaul
McCollum
McGovern
McHenry
McNerney
Meeks
Meng
Mitchell
Moolenaar
Moore
Morelle
Moulton
Mucarsel-Powell
Mullin
Murphy
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Neguse
Newhouse
Norcross
Norton
Nunes
O'Halleran
Ocasio-Cortez
Olson
Omar
Pallone

[[Page H3044]]

Palmer
Panetta
Pappas
Pascrell
Perlmutter
Peters
Peterson
Phillips
Pingree
Plaskett
Pocan
Porter
Pressley
Price (NC)
Quigley
Raskin
Reed
Reschenthaler
Rice (NY)
Rice (SC)
Richmond
Riggleman
Roby
Rodgers (WA)
Roe, David P.
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rose (NY)
Rouda
Rouzer
Roybal-Allard
Ruiz
Ruppersberger
Rush
Sablan
San Nicolas
Sanchez
Sarbanes
Scanlon
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schneider
Schrader
Schrier
Schweikert
Scott (VA)
Scott, David
Sensenbrenner
Serrano
Sewell (AL)
Shalala
Sherman
Sherrill
Shimkus
Simpson
Sires
Slotkin
Smith (MO)
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (WA)
Smucker
Soto
Spanberger
Spano
Speier
Stanton
Stauber
Stefanik
Steil
Stevens
Stewart
Stivers
Suozzi
Swalwell (CA)
Takano
Taylor
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thompson (PA)
Thornberry
Timmons
Tipton
Titus
Tlaib
Tonko
Torres (CA)
Torres Small (NM)
Trahan
Trone
Turner
Underwood
Upton
Van Drew
Vargas
Veasey
Vela
Velazquez
Visclosky
Wagner
Walberg
Walden
Walorski
Waltz
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watkins
Watson Coleman
Welch
Wenstrup
Westerman
Wexton
Wild
Williams
Wilson (FL)
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Womack
Woodall
Yarmuth
Young

NOES--67

Abraham
Allen
Amash
Babin
Baird
Banks
Barr
Biggs
Bishop (UT)
Brooks (AL)
Budd
Burchett
Burgess
Carter (TX)
Chabot
Cheney
Cline
Cloud
DesJarlais
Duncan
Estes
Ferguson
Gaetz
Gohmert
Gooden
Gosar
Granger
Graves (GA)
Graves (LA)
Green (TN)
Grothman
Harris
Hern, Kevin
Hice (GA)
Hunter
Johnson (SD)
Jordan
Joyce (PA)
Kelly (MS)
Kelly (PA)
King (IA)
Lesko
Loudermilk
Massie
McClintock
McKinley
Meadows
Meuser
Miller
Mooney (WV)
Norman
Palazzo
Pence
Perry
Posey
Ratcliffe
Rose, John W.
Roy
Scalise
Scott, Austin
Steube
Walker
Weber (TX)
Webster (FL)
Wright
Yoho
Zeldin

NOT VOTING--7

Holding
McEachin
Payne
Radewagen
Rooney (FL)
Rutherford
Ryan

{time} 1723

Mr. GOODEN, Mrs. MILLER, Messrs. GAETZ, JOHNSON of South Dakota,
CLINE, BUDD, JOHN W. ROSE of Tennessee, GROTHMAN, ABRAHAM, and
LOUDERMILK changed their vote from ``aye'' to ``no.''
Messrs. PALMER, REED, TIPTON, HIGGINS of Louisiana, MAST, and McHENRY
changed their vote from ``no'' to ``aye.''
So the amendment was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Stated for:
Mr. HOLDING. Madam Chair, I was inadvertently detained during roll
call No. 147. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on
rollcall No. 147.

Amendment No. 2 Offered by Ms. Scanlon

The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a
recorded vote on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from
Pennsylvania (Ms. Scanlon) on which further proceedings were postponed
and on which the ayes prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.

Recorded Vote

The Acting CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The Acting CHAIR. This will be a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 394,
noes 36, not voting 7, as follows:

[Roll No. 148]

AYES--394

Abraham
Adams
Aderholt
Aguilar
Allen
Allred
Amodei
Armstrong
Arrington
Axne
Bacon
Baird
Balderson
Barr
Barragan
Bass
Beatty
Bera
Bergman
Beyer
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Blumenauer
Blunt Rochester
Bonamici
Bost
Boyle, Brendan F.
Brady
Brindisi
Brooks (IN)
Brown (MD)
Brownley (CA)
Buchanan
Bucshon
Budd
Burchett
Burgess
Bustos
Butterfield
Byrne
Calvert
Carbajal
Cardenas
Carson (IN)
Carter (GA)
Carter (TX)
Cartwright
Case
Casten (IL)
Castor (FL)
Castro (TX)
Chabot
Cheney
Chu, Judy
Cicilline
Cisneros
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Clay
Cleaver
Cloud
Clyburn
Cohen
Cole
Collins (GA)
Collins (NY)
Comer
Conaway
Connolly
Cook
Cooper
Correa
Costa
Courtney
Cox (CA)
Craig
Crawford
Crenshaw
Crist
Crow
Cuellar
Cummings
Cunningham
Curtis
Davids (KS)
Davidson (OH)
Davis (CA)
Davis, Danny K.
Davis, Rodney
Dean
DeFazio
DeGette
DeLauro
DelBene
Delgado
Demings
DeSaulnier
DesJarlais
Deutch
Diaz-Balart
Dingell
Doggett
Doyle, Michael F.
Duffy
Dunn
Emmer
Engel
Escobar
Eshoo
Espaillat
Estes
Evans
Ferguson
Finkenauer
Fitzpatrick
Fleischmann
Fletcher
Flores
Fortenberry
Foster
Foxx (NC)
Frankel
Fudge
Fulcher
Gabbard
Gallagher
Gallego
Garamendi
Garcia (IL)
Garcia (TX)
Gianforte
Gomez
Gonzalez (OH)
Gonzalez (TX)
Gonzalez-Colon (PR)
Gooden
Gottheimer
Granger
Graves (LA)
Graves (MO)
Green (TX)
Griffith
Grijalva
Grothman
Guest
Guthrie
Haaland
Hagedorn
Harder (CA)
Hartzler
Hastings
Hayes
Heck
Hern, Kevin
Herrera Beutler
Higgins (NY)
Hill (AR)
Hill (CA)
Himes
Holding
Hollingsworth
Horn, Kendra S.
Horsford
Houlahan
Hoyer
Hudson
Huffman
Huizenga
Hurd (TX)
Jackson Lee
Jayapal
Jeffries
Johnson (GA)
Johnson (LA)
Johnson (OH)
Johnson (SD)
Johnson (TX)
Joyce (OH)
Joyce (PA)
Kaptur
Katko
Keating
Kelly (IL)
Kennedy
Khanna
Kildee
Kilmer
Kim
Kind
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kinzinger
Kirkpatrick
Krishnamoorthi
Kuster (NH)
Kustoff (TN)
LaHood
LaMalfa
Lamb
Lamborn
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latta
Lawrence
Lawson (FL)
Lee (CA)
Lee (NV)
Levin (CA)
Levin (MI)
Lewis
Lieu, Ted
Lipinski
Loebsack
Lofgren
Long
Loudermilk
Lowenthal
Lowey
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lujan
Luria
Lynch
Malinowski
Maloney, Carolyn B.
Maloney, Sean
Marchant
Marshall
Matsui
McAdams
McBath
McCarthy
McCaul
McCollum
McGovern
McHenry
McKinley
McNerney
Meadows
Meeks
Meng
Meuser
Miller
Moolenaar
Mooney (WV)
Moore
Morelle
Moulton
Mucarsel-Powell
Mullin
Murphy
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Neguse
Newhouse
Norcross
Norman
Norton
Nunes
O'Halleran
Ocasio-Cortez
Olson
Omar
Pallone
Palmer
Panetta
Pappas
Pascrell
Pence
Perlmutter
Perry
Peters
Peterson
Phillips
Pingree
Plaskett
Pocan
Porter
Posey
Pressley
Price (NC)
Quigley
Raskin
Reed
Reschenthaler
Rice (NY)
Rice (SC)
Richmond
Riggleman
Roby
Rodgers (WA)
Roe, David P.
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rose (NY)
Rose, John W.
Rouda
Rouzer
Roybal-Allard
Ruiz
Ruppersberger
Rush
Sablan
San Nicolas
Sanchez
Sarbanes
Scalise
Scanlon
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schneider
Schrader
Schrier
Schweikert
Scott (VA)
Scott, Austin
Scott, David
Sensenbrenner
Serrano
Sewell (AL)
Shalala
Sherman
Sherrill
Shimkus
Simpson
Sires
Slotkin
Smith (MO)
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (WA)
Smucker
Soto
Spanberger
Spano
Speier
Stanton
Stauber
Stefanik
Steil
Stevens
Stewart
Stivers
Suozzi
Swalwell (CA)
Takano
Taylor
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thompson (PA)
Thornberry
Timmons
Tipton
Titus
Tlaib
Tonko
Torres (CA)
Torres Small (NM)
Trahan
Trone
Turner
Underwood
Upton
Van Drew
Vargas
Veasey
Vela
Velazquez
Visclosky
Wagner
Walberg
Walden
Walker
Walorski
Waltz
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watkins
Watson Coleman
Webster (FL)
Welch
Wenstrup
Westerman
Wexton
Wild
Williams
Wilson (FL)
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Womack
Woodall
Yarmuth

NOES--36

Amash
Babin
Banks
Biggs
Brooks (AL)
Buck
Cline
Duncan
Gaetz
Gibbs
Gohmert
Golden
Gosar
Graves (GA)
Green (TN)
Harris
Hice (GA)
Higgins (LA)
Hunter
Jordan
Kelly (MS)
Kelly (PA)
Lesko
Massie
Mast
McClintock
Mitchell
Palazzo
Ratcliffe
Roy
Steube
Weber (TX)
Wright
Yoho
Young
Zeldin

NOT VOTING--7

Bishop (UT)
McEachin
Payne
Radewagen
Rooney (FL)
Rutherford
Ryan

Announcement by the Acting Chair

The Acting CHAIR (during the vote). There is 1 minute remaining.

{time} 1729

So the amendment was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.

Amendment No. 7 Offered by Ms. Waters

The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a
recorded vote on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Waters) on which further proceedings

[[Page H3045]]

were postponed and on which the ayes prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.

Recorded Vote

[Roll No. 149]

AYES--258

Adams
Aguilar
Allred
Axne
Bacon
Barragan
Bass
Beatty
Bera
Beyer
Bishop (GA)
Blumenauer
Blunt Rochester
Bonamici
Boyle, Brendan F.
Brindisi
Brown (MD)
Brownley (CA)
Bustos
Butterfield
Carbajal
Cardenas
Carson (IN)
Cartwright
Case
Casten (IL)
Castor (FL)
Castro (TX)
Chu, Judy
Cicilline
Cisneros
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Cohen
Collins (NY)
Connolly
Cooper
Correa
Costa
Courtney
Cox (CA)
Craig
Crist
Crow
Cuellar
Cummings
Cunningham
Davids (KS)
Davis (CA)
Davis, Danny K.
Davis, Rodney
Dean
DeFazio
DeGette
DeLauro
DelBene
Delgado
Demings
DeSaulnier
Deutch
Dingell
Doggett
Doyle, Michael F.
Engel
Escobar
Eshoo
Espaillat
Evans
Finkenauer
Fitzpatrick
Fletcher
Fortenberry
Foster
Frankel
Fudge
Gabbard
Gallego
Garamendi
Garcia (IL)
Garcia (TX)
Gianforte
Golden
Gomez
Gonzalez (OH)
Gonzalez (TX)
Gottheimer
Green (TX)
Grijalva
Haaland
Harder (CA)
Hastings
Hayes
Heck
Higgins (NY)
Hill (CA)
Himes
Horn, Kendra S.
Horsford
Houlahan
Hoyer
Huffman
Hurd (TX)
Jackson Lee
Jayapal
Jeffries
Johnson (GA)
Johnson (TX)
Joyce (OH)
Kaptur
Katko
Keating
Kelly (IL)
Kennedy
Khanna
Kildee
Kilmer
Kim
Kind
King (NY)
Kirkpatrick
Krishnamoorthi
Kuster (NH)
Lamb
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Lawrence
Lawson (FL)
Lee (CA)
Lee (NV)
Levin (CA)
Levin (MI)
Lewis
Lieu, Ted
Lipinski
Loebsack
Lofgren
Lowenthal
Lowey
Lujan
Luria
Lynch
Malinowski
Maloney, Carolyn B.
Maloney, Sean
Matsui
McAdams
McBath
McCollum
McGovern
McNerney
Meeks
Meng
Moore
Morelle
Moulton
Mucarsel-Powell
Mullin
Murphy
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Neguse
Norcross
Norton
O'Halleran
Ocasio-Cortez
Omar
Pallone
Panetta
Pappas
Pascrell
Perlmutter
Peters
Peterson
Phillips
Pingree
Plaskett
Pocan
Porter
Pressley
Price (NC)
Quigley
Raskin
Reed
Rice (NY)
Richmond
Rose (NY)
Rouda
Roybal-Allard
Ruiz
Ruppersberger
Rush
Sablan
San Nicolas
Sanchez
Sarbanes
Scanlon
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schneider
Schrader
Schrier
Scott (VA)
Scott, David
Serrano
Sewell (AL)
Shalala
Sherman
Sherrill
Simpson
Sires
Slotkin
Smith (MO)
Smith (WA)
Soto
Spanberger
Speier
Stanton
Stauber
Stefanik
Steil
Stevens
Stivers
Suozzi
Swalwell (CA)
Takano
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Titus
Tlaib
Tonko
Torres (CA)
Torres Small (NM)
Trahan
Trone
Turner
Underwood
Upton
Van Drew
Vargas
Veasey
Vela
Velazquez
Visclosky
Wagner
Walden
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watson Coleman
Welch
Wexton
Wild
Wilson (FL)
Yarmuth

NOES--173

Abraham
Aderholt
Allen
Amash
Amodei
Armstrong
Arrington
Babin
Baird
Balderson
Banks
Barr
Bergman
Biggs
Bilirakis
Bishop (UT)
Bost
Brady
Brooks (AL)
Brooks (IN)
Buchanan
Buck
Bucshon
Budd
Burchett
Burgess
Byrne
Calvert
Carter (GA)
Carter (TX)
Chabot
Cheney
Cline
Cloud
Cole
Collins (GA)
Comer
Conaway
Cook
Crawford
Crenshaw
Curtis
Davidson (OH)
DesJarlais
Diaz-Balart
Duffy
Duncan
Dunn
Emmer
Estes
Ferguson
Fleischmann
Flores
Foxx (NC)
Fulcher
Gaetz
Gallagher
Gibbs
Gohmert
Gonzalez-Colon (PR)
Gooden
Gosar
Granger
Graves (GA)
Graves (LA)
Graves (MO)
Green (TN)
Griffith
Grothman
Guest
Guthrie
Hagedorn
Harris
Hartzler
Hern, Kevin
Herrera Beutler
Hice (GA)
Higgins (LA)
Hill (AR)
Holding
Hollingsworth
Hudson
Huizenga
Hunter
Johnson (LA)
Johnson (OH)
Johnson (SD)
Jordan
Joyce (PA)
Kelly (MS)
Kelly (PA)
King (IA)
Kinzinger
Kustoff (TN)
LaHood
LaMalfa
Lamborn
Latta
Lesko
Long
Loudermilk
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Marchant
Marshall
Massie
Mast
McCarthy
McCaul
McClintock
McHenry
McKinley
Meadows
Meuser
Miller
Mitchell
Moolenaar
Mooney (WV)
Newhouse
Norman
Nunes
Olson
Palazzo
Palmer
Pence
Perry
Posey
Ratcliffe
Reschenthaler
Rice (SC)
Riggleman
Roby
Rodgers (WA)
Roe, David P.
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rose, John W.
Rouzer
Roy
Scalise
Schweikert
Scott, Austin
Sensenbrenner
Shimkus
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smucker
Spano
Steube
Stewart
Taylor
Thompson (PA)
Thornberry
Timmons
Tipton
Walberg
Walker
Walorski
Waltz
Watkins
Weber (TX)
Webster (FL)
Wenstrup
Westerman
Williams
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Womack
Woodall
Wright
Yoho
Young
Zeldin

NOT VOTING--6

McEachin
Payne
Radewagen
Rooney (FL)
Rutherford
Ryan

Announcement by the Acting Chair

The Acting CHAIR (during the vote). There is 1 minute remaining.

{time} 1735

Mr. CARTER of Georgia changed his vote from ``aye'' to ``no.''
So the amendment was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.

Amendment No. 10 Offered by Mrs. Wagner

The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a
recorded vote on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Missouri
(Mrs. Wagner) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which
the ayes prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.

Recorded Vote

[Roll No. 150]

AYES--429

Abraham
Adams
Aderholt
Aguilar
Allen
Allred
Amash
Amodei
Armstrong
Arrington
Axne
Babin
Bacon
Baird
Balderson
Banks
Barr
Barragan
Bass
Beatty
Bera
Bergman
Beyer
Biggs
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (UT)
Blumenauer
Blunt Rochester
Bonamici
Bost
Boyle, Brendan F.
Brady
Brindisi
Brooks (AL)
Brooks (IN)
Brown (MD)
Brownley (CA)
Buchanan
Buck
Bucshon
Budd
Burchett
Burgess
Bustos
Butterfield
Byrne
Calvert
Carbajal
Cardenas
Carson (IN)
Carter (GA)
Carter (TX)
Cartwright
Case
Casten (IL)
Castor (FL)
Castro (TX)
Chabot
Cheney
Chu, Judy
Cicilline
Cisneros
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Clay
Cleaver
Cline
Cloud
Clyburn
Cohen
Cole
Collins (GA)
Collins (NY)
Comer
Conaway
Connolly
Cook
Cooper
Correa
Costa
Cox (CA)
Craig
Crawford
Crenshaw
Crist
Crow
Cuellar
Cummings
Cunningham
Curtis
Davids (KS)
Davidson (OH)
Davis (CA)
Davis, Danny K.
Davis, Rodney
Dean
DeFazio
DeGette
DeLauro
DelBene
Delgado
Demings
DeSaulnier
DesJarlais
Deutch
Diaz-Balart
Dingell
Doggett
Doyle, Michael F.
Duffy
Duncan
Dunn
Emmer
Engel
Escobar
Eshoo
Espaillat
Estes
Evans
Ferguson
Finkenauer
Fitzpatrick
Fleischmann
Fletcher
Flores
Fortenberry
Foster
Foxx (NC)
Frankel
Fudge
Fulcher
Gabbard
Gaetz
Gallagher
Gallego
Garamendi
Garcia (IL)
Garcia (TX)
Gianforte
Gibbs
Gohmert
Golden
Gomez
Gonzalez (OH)
Gonzalez (TX)
Gonzalez-Colon (PR)
Gooden
Gosar
Gottheimer
Granger
Graves (GA)
Graves (LA)
Graves (MO)
Green (TN)
Green (TX)
Griffith
Grijalva
Grothman
Guest
Guthrie
Haaland
Hagedorn
Harder (CA)
Harris
Hartzler
Hastings
Hayes
Heck
Hern, Kevin
Herrera Beutler
Hice (GA)
Higgins (LA)
Higgins (NY)
Hill (AR)
Hill (CA)
Himes
Holding
Hollingsworth
Horn, Kendra S.
Horsford
Houlahan
Hoyer
Hudson
Huffman
Huizenga
Hunter
Hurd (TX)
Jackson Lee
Jayapal
Jeffries
Johnson (GA)
Johnson (LA)
Johnson (OH)
Johnson (SD)
Johnson (TX)
Jordan
Joyce (OH)
Joyce (PA)
Kaptur
Katko
Keating
Kelly (IL)
Kelly (MS)
Kelly (PA)
Kennedy
Khanna
Kildee
Kilmer
Kim
Kind
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kinzinger
Kirkpatrick
Krishnamoorthi
Kuster (NH)
Kustoff (TN)
LaHood
LaMalfa
Lamb
Lamborn
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Latta
Lawrence
Lawson (FL)
Lee (CA)
Lee (NV)
Lesko
Levin (CA)
Levin (MI)
Lewis
Lieu, Ted

[[Page H3046]]

Lipinski
Loebsack
Lofgren
Long
Loudermilk
Lowenthal
Lowey
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lujan
Luria
Lynch
Malinowski
Maloney, Carolyn B.
Maloney, Sean
Marchant
Marshall
Massie
Mast
Matsui
McAdams
McBath
McCarthy
McCaul
McClintock
McCollum
McGovern
McHenry
McKinley
McNerney
Meadows
Meeks
Meng
Meuser
Miller
Mitchell
Moolenaar
Mooney (WV)
Moore
Morelle
Moulton
Mucarsel-Powell
Mullin
Murphy
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Neguse
Newhouse
Norcross
Norman
Norton
Nunes
O'Halleran
Ocasio-Cortez
Olson
Omar
Palazzo
Pallone
Palmer
Panetta
Pappas
Pascrell
Pence
Perlmutter
Perry
Peters
Peterson
Phillips
Pingree
Plaskett
Pocan
Porter
Posey
Pressley
Price (NC)
Quigley
Raskin
Ratcliffe
Reed
Reschenthaler
Rice (NY)
Rice (SC)
Richmond
Riggleman
Roby
Rodgers (WA)
Roe, David P.
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rose (NY)
Rose, John W.
Rouda
Rouzer
Roy
Roybal-Allard
Ruiz
Ruppersberger
Rush
Sablan
San Nicolas
Sanchez
Sarbanes
Scalise
Scanlon
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schneider
Schrader
Schrier
Schweikert
Scott (VA)
Scott, Austin
Scott, David
Sensenbrenner
Serrano
Sewell (AL)
Shalala
Sherman
Sherrill
Shimkus
Simpson
Sires
Slotkin
Smith (MO)
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (WA)
Smucker
Soto
Spanberger
Spano
Speier
Stanton
Stauber
Stefanik
Steil
Steube
Stevens
Stewart
Stivers
Suozzi
Swalwell (CA)
Takano
Taylor
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thompson (PA)
Thornberry
Timmons
Tipton
Titus
Tlaib
Tonko
Torres (CA)
Torres Small (NM)
Trahan
Trone
Turner
Underwood
Upton
Van Drew
Vargas
Veasey
Vela
Velazquez
Visclosky
Wagner
Walberg
Walden
Walker
Walorski
Waltz
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watkins
Watson Coleman
Weber (TX)
Webster (FL)
Welch
Wenstrup
Westerman
Wexton
Wild
Williams
Wilson (FL)
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Womack
Woodall
Wright
Yarmuth
Yoho
Young
Zeldin

NOT VOTING--8

Courtney
Larson (CT)
McEachin
Payne
Radewagen
Rooney (FL)
Rutherford
Ryan

Announcement by the Acting Chair

The Acting CHAIR (during the vote). There is 1 minute remaining.

{time} 1743

So the amendment was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.

Amendment No. 17 Offered by Ms. Meng

The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Malinowski). It is now in order to consider
amendment No. 17 printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Ms. MENG. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 145, line 19, insert after ``parent'' the following:
``, and such classes shall be made available to prisoners
with limited English proficiency in compliance with Title VI
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentlewoman
from New York (Ms. Meng) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.
Ms. MENG. Mr. Chair, my amendment would ensure that incarcerated,
pregnant prisoners who are primary caretaker parents and who have
limited English proficiency will have access to parenting classes.
Mr. Chair, we know that at the end of 2016 there were over 111,000
women in prisons across our country. That is a nearly 750 percent
increase from 1980. Women are the fastest growing population of
incarcerated individuals in our country.
Our Nation has 4 percent of the world's female population, but 30
percent of its female incarcerated population.
We also know that women of color are significantly overrepresented in
our criminal justice system. In fact, two-thirds of women in jail are
women of color.
Additionally, a recent study published just 2 weeks ago in the
American Journal of Public Health found that, during their 1-year study
of rates of pregnancy and outcomes among women in prison in 22 States
and the Federal system, almost 1,400 pregnant women were admitted to
prison.
Given the intersection of these data points, my amendment ensures
that parenting classes be accessible to those incarcerated women with
limited English proficiency.
The Bureau of Prisons already provides certain parenting classes for
pregnant incarcerated individuals. They include the Mother and Infants
Nursing Together, MINT, program; and the Residential Parenting Program.
The MINT program teaches parenting skills to facilitate mother-child
bonding and provides the tools to help build a stable home environment
upon release.
The Residential Parenting Program at the Washington State Department
of Corrections allows Bureau of Prison incarcerated women and their
infants to participate in the program.
Studies show that these programs are significant for incarcerated
females and their families, as they can play important roles in
successful reentry into society.
Under my amendment, all pregnant incarcerated women or incarcerated
moms will be able to better provide for their children no matter what
language they speak.
The BOP's incarcerated female population is incredibly diverse, with
many ethnicities and many foreign countries represented, but no one
should be denied the chance to be the best parent they can be simply
because they are non-English speaking.
Mr. Chair, I thank my good friend Congresswoman Karen Bass as well as
Congressman Fitzpatrick for their leadership in shepherding this
landmark legislation.
The 2019 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act responds
to our Nation's crisis of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual
assault, and stalking.
Mr. Chair, I urge support for my amendment, and I reserve the balance
of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I am not necessarily opposed to
the goal of the amendment. In fact, I understand the amendment. I
appreciate the gentlewoman bringing it.
I have supported similar programs in the FIRST STEP Act. The thing
here is that this amendment is not necessary because, in the underlying
bill, it already provides for parenting classes and resources.
I appreciate the gentlewoman bringing it. I don't necessarily have a
problem with it, except it is already there. So, offering this
amendment is fine, but I just, at this point, would just say it is
already there.
I have supported similar programs before. I appreciate the
gentlewoman's concern in this, and we would agree on that.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. MENG. Mr. Chairman, we just want to make sure that no one is
denied the chance to bond with their newborn or child simply because
they don't speak the language.
This amendment ensures compliance with title VI of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race,
color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving Federal
financial assistance.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, again, understanding the
concerns, all this is already, frankly, covered. It is covered in the
underlying bill, but it is also covered in other programs.
In going through some of these--and I know we have got a couple
more--in some of these amendments, anything that takes funding away
that would go from regular programs would be of concern, but I am happy
to work with my colleagues to address these issues in other areas. I
just don't think VAWA, probably, is the best way, but I appreciate the
gentlewoman's concern.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Meng).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 18 Offered by Ms. Meng

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 18
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.

[[Page H3047]]

Ms. MENG. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 153, line 25, strike ``and'' at the end.
Page 153, after line 25, insert the following (and
redesignate other provisions accordingly):
(F) develop tools to communicate parenting program
availability and eligibility criteria to each employee of the
Bureau of Prisons and each pregnant inmate to ensure that
each pregnant inmate in the custody of a Bureau of Prisons
facility understands the resources available to such inmate;
and

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentlewoman
from New York (Ms. Meng) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.
Ms. MENG. Mr. Chair, this amendment would ensure that our Federal
prison develops tools to communicate parenting program availability and
eligibility criteria to each employee of the Bureau of Prisons and each
pregnant incarcerated woman so that each of these women in the custody
of a Bureau of Prisons facility understands the resources available to
them.
Mr. Chair, we know that women are the fastest growing population in
the criminal justice system. Only 5 percent of the world's female
population lives in the U.S., but they account for nearly 30 percent of
the world's incarcerated women. That is an injustice to not only those
incarcerated but to their families, our economy, and our society as a
whole.
According to Prison Policy Initiative, 80 percent of the women who
will go to jail this year are moms, including nearly 150,000 women who
are pregnant when they are admitted, and many of these women are the
primary caretaker of their family.
This means that the impact of their incarceration reaches far beyond
the prison system. As we incarcerate women, we are also incarcerating
their families.
Currently, the BOP does offer some programs to women who are moms or
soon-to-be mothers. Mothers and Infants Nursing Together, otherwise
known as MINT, is offered to moms who are pregnant at the time of
commitment. Participating mothers can enroll in pre- and postnatal
classes on childbirth, parenting, and coping skills. This program
offers the chance for mothers to acquire parenting skills and bond with
their infant after birth.
The Residential Parenting Program offered by the Washington State
Department of Corrections' Residential Parenting Program gives its
participants and their infants the opportunity to reside in the minimum
security unit for up to 30 months after birth.
Mr. Chair, these programs are important resources to pregnant mothers
and parents who are incarcerated. In fact, participants of the MINT
program have reported that the program has helped them learn important
parenting skills and develop a bond with their infants.
However, the September 2018 Department of Justice's OIG review of the
Federal Bureau of Prisons' management of its female inmate population
found that BOP's pregnancy programs were underutilized.
Between fiscal years 2012 and 2016, there were 951 pregnant
incarcerated women in BOP's custody, 558 of whom were in institutions
designed to house sentenced inmates. Of these 558 sentenced pregnant
inmates, they estimate that only 204 participated in MINT or the
Residential Parenting Program. That is, only 37 percent were in these
parenting and pregnancy programs.
The reasons were varied. Incarcerated mothers who may be eligible for
the programs are often not identified as being eligible. While social
workers are responsible for informing inmates of these opportunities,
social worker positions often remain vacant.
Many staff did not fully understand the eligibility criteria for the
Mothers and Infants Nursing Together program, and, even more
surprising, some staff were entirely unaware of these programs'
existence.
These are valuable programs that need to be reaching more people.
This amendment directs the Bureau of Prisons to develop tools to better
communicate the availability of these programs and their eligibility
criteria to inmates. With these improvements, incarcerated individuals
will be empowered to better utilize the resources made available to
them.
Mr. Chair, I urge support for the amendment, and I reserve the
balance of my time.

{time} 1800

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, again, I have been on this side,
and I would love to see more cooperation, especially since this is one
of the areas I do believe, Mr. Chair, we can actually have agreement
on. The chairman and I have talked about this a great deal, and others,
members of our Judiciary Committee.
The FIRST STEP Act, criminal justice reform is something that I have
been working on for many years. I think the issue of women
incarceration is definitely something that needs to be looked at.
Again, my concern with this program is the diversion of dollars that
go through these programs to programs that already exist, and I am not
sure how we are prioritizing these anymore. Even the numbers given were
based over a number-of-years period, not a single-year period.
When we were doing the FIRST STEP Act and doing some of the
incarceration numbers, these numbers were a lot lower in the Federal
prison of those actually pregnant at the time.
So again, I don't, by any means, demean or try to talk badly about an
amendment in the sense that it is not intended well. I think the
problem is the underlying issues are already there. The underlying
stuff is there. I appreciate her bringing that out. We just disagree
that this would be the place to do this.
There are other places we could work on this, and I think criminal
justice reform is a great place to put this. I do commend the
gentlewoman for bringing it.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. MENG. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the gentleman's comments.
Again, only 37 percent of pregnant inmates utilize these programs. I
think that it is very common sense to make sure that more people are
aware of these programs, both staff employees and those who are
incarcerated.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from New York.
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 19 Offered by Ms. Meng

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 19
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Ms. MENG. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 145, line 21, insert after ``training'' the following:
``, including cultural competency training,''.

[[Page H3048]]

Studies show that trauma treatment programs should be administered
and facilitated during the first 12 months of the incarcerated
individual's sentence so as to maximize the benefits of these programs.
Research also shows that the effects of trauma manifest themselves
differently for incarcerated women and men. This manifestation is
further compounded by the individual's cultural background.
Incarcerated individuals with limited English proficiency have unique
challenges in interaction with correctional officers. This is also true
for LGBT incarcerated individuals who have experienced injustice and
violence in very specific ways.
In order to address the past trauma of inmates, the BOP has tried to
adopt a ``trauma-informed correctional care approach.'' Under this
method, the actions of staff are centered on the understanding that
trauma is real and prevalent, and opportunities to avoid retraumatizing
inmates are an opportunity for healing.
This approach also includes several principles which seek to ensure
the psychological and emotional safety of those incarcerated
individuals and staff, and use communication methods that avoid
triggering memories of past trauma.
And yet testimony from formerly incarcerated women illustrates that
correction staff in women's facilities still often fail to receive
trauma-informed and gender-responsive training, let alone culturally
competent training.
Correctional officers, healthcare professionals, and other staff
members must be adequately trained on methods of trauma-informed care
that address the needs of incarcerated individuals.
The trauma screenings must equip each BOP employee to be mindful of
the unique culturally rooted trauma of incarcerated individuals. A
better understand of these needs allows correctional officers and
instructors to provide the most effective care possible. Such training
would ensure that correctional staff respond to incarcerated
individuals in productive and impactful ways.
In other words, these officials will be able to provide trauma-
informed care to those who have limited English proficiency, come from
diverse backgrounds, or live with disabilities, regardless of gender,
sexual orientation, or gender identity.
The dignity of an incarcerated individual must be honored and upheld,
and ensuring the proper training of employees to interact with them
would be a significant first step.
I urge support for the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition,
but I am not necessarily opposed.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for
5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. MENG. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Meng).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 20 Offered by Ms. Plaskett

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 20
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of my amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 29, strike lines 3 through 7, and insert the
following:

SEC. 201. SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES PROGRAM.

Section 41601 of the Violent Crime Control and Law
Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12511) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(4), by striking ``0.25 percent'' and
inserting ``0.5 percent''; and
(2) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``2014 through 2018''
and inserting ``2020 through 2024''.
Page 79, line 19, strike ``and''.
Page 79, line 21, strike the period at the end and insert
``; and''.
Page 79, insert after line 21 the following:
(C) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking ``0.25 percent'' and
inserting ``0.5 percent''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentlewoman
from the Virgin Islands (Ms. Plaskett) and a Member opposed each will
control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands.
Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Chair, the Violence Against Women Act is the
cornerstone of our Nation's response to domestic violence, sexual
assault, dating violence, and stalking. VAWA's community response model
helps abuse victims find safety and receive services, while holding
thousands of perpetrators accountable for their actions.
I would like to commend Congresswoman Karen Bass, Congresswoman
Sheila Jackson Lee, and leadership for their commitment to making this
legislation a priority of this Congress.
Mr. Chair, the U.S. territories, including my district of the U.S.
Virgin Islands, along with Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana
Islands, and American Samoa, are eligible for the Violence Against
Women Act programs under the Departments of Justice and Health and
Human Services.
For example, the Sexual Assault Services Formula Grant authorized
under VAWA provides funding to support rape crisis centers and assist
individuals who have been sexually assaulted. The Office on Violence
Against Women awards no less than 1.5 percent of the total amount
appropriated for the program to each State, the District of Columbia,
and Puerto Rico. The Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the
Northern Mariana Islands are awarded a base amount of 1 quarter of 1
percent of the total appropriation.
In fiscal years 2017-2018, the smaller territories each received just
$60,000 in funding under the Sexual Assault Services Formula Program.
My amendment would double the minimum amount made available to these
U.S. territories under the program. This funding is sorely needed at
this time.
According to mental health professionals in the Virgin Islands, a
recent increase in domestic violence cases can partially be attributed
to the residual stress of the disastrous hurricanes of 2017. Even
before this uptick, however, the territories were massively
underequipped to shelter and protect the victims of violence, and the
situation has only worsened since.
Mr. Chair, my amendment would similarly double the minimum amount
made available to the small territories for transitional housing
services, including housing for victims for whom emergency shelter
services are unavailable or insufficient and to move individuals into
permanent housing.
In the Virgin Islands, assistance for emergency and transitional
housing is crucially important, as the territory has seen housing costs
skyrocket since the aforementioned disasters. Without this assistance,
many women have no hope of escaping life-threatening situations.
There is currently one domestic violence and abuse program on St.
Thomas offering a hotline and emergency shelter. On the island of St.
Croix, there is one program which offers a hotline and emergency
shelter to victims.
Undeniably, there is a need for more funding to provide additional
services. This amendment takes a positive step towards addressing the
additional funding needs to adequately assist and protect women and
children of the Virgin Islands and other territories who lived through
the horror of violence this bill seeks to protect them from.
I would like to acknowledge and thank the Women's Coalition and the
Virgin Islands Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council on St.
Croix and the Family Resource Center on St. Thomas for their passionate
and continued work to provide services and training on prevention to
the victims of abuse and their families.
I would also like to acknowledge and thank my colleague across the
aisle, Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen of American Samoa,
for cosponsoring this amendment to improve services for women and
children in the U.S. island territories.
I urge my colleagues to support my amendment.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition,
although I am not opposed.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for
5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentlewoman

[[Page H3049]]

from Puerto Rico (Miss Gonzalez-Colon).
Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of
the bipartisan amendment presented by my friends Stacey Plaskett and
Amata Radewagen.
As my friend just mentioned, the smaller territories are facing a
challenge in the limited funds they receive to address such a large and
horrific issue. Federal funds to fight violence against women and
support survivors cannot be based on the ZIP Code or where you live. I
do believe that any kind of violence must be addressed, regardless of
the State or the territory the people are living in, giving the
survivors the same access to services, intervention, and assistance.
In the fiscal years 2017 and 2018, these four territories--we are
talking about the Northern Marianas, Virgin Islands, American Samoa,
and Guam--received less than $60,000 to aid victims of domestic
violence; and, simply put, this was not enough.
I am speaking also on behalf of my friend, Amata Radewagen, for
American Samoa. And I do say that, as more women step out of the
shadows to seek the assistance they need, it is our job in the Federal
Government to be able to provide the tools and resources to the
organizations and, more importantly, to the victims themselves.
Congress must rework the formula grant to allow these four
territories access to additional funds. I encourage all my colleagues
to support this amendment, and I am supporting the amendment as well.
Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Chair, I just want to thank my colleague and my
good friend--indeed, my sister--from the neighboring island of Puerto
Rico for her support of this legislation and, as a member of the larger
island, speaking on behalf of the smaller islands and territories.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Ms. Plaskett).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 21 Offered by Mr. Bera

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 21
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Mr. BERA. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 28, insert after line 24 the following:

SEC. 108. ENHANCING CULTURALLY SPECIFIC SERVICES FOR VICTIMS
OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL
ASSAULT, AND STALKING.

Section 121(a) of the Violence Against Women and Department
of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (34 U.S.C. 20124(a))
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Additional authorization of appropriations.--In
addition to the amounts made available under paragraph (1),
there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
section $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through
2024.''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentleman
from California (Mr. Bera) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
Mr. BERA. Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer an amendment to H.R. 1585,
the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.
My amendment is simple. It would increase the authorized funding
level for grants that support the development of culturally specific
services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and abuse.
Domestic violence is a devastating reality for many women, and this
is particularly the case in our AAPI communities. A survey done in 2015
estimated that 40 to 60 percent of AAPI women experience physical or
sexual violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
However, the unfortunate stigma of these events within the AAPI
community means that a lot of these survivors do not seek help
afterwards or even report these incidents in the first place.

{time} 1815

Yet when I think about my own community, the South Asian community
and Native American community, we have had some devastating cases.
You have generational divides here where there is an older generation
that doesn't allow folks to talk about this. You have arranged
marriages where a bride may travel thousands of miles and have no
family resources, have no ability to talk about it.
We have got to address this issue. We have got to make it okay for
folks to come out of the shadows.
That is why, while it is important to expand access to these
services, it is just as critical that the person can feel comfortable
seeking out these services. Often, that means they are able to get help
from someone who looks like them and understands their cultural
background.
Providing these resources in a culturally appropriate context can
help survivors feel supported and heard.
My amendment would increase the funding for grants that support
organizations that provide critical services and resources to
communities of color.
Lastly, I want to thank my colleague, Congresswoman Karen Bass, for
her work on this reauthorization. I am pleased that we have the
opportunity to strengthen these programs.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment and support
the underlying bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Georgia is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, again, I appreciate the
gentleman's concern.
My concern is that the underlying bill already addresses this with
sufficient funding. This amendment or anything like it was not offered
in committee and not brought up in the discussions of this.
I don't doubt the sincerity of the need in this, but we do believe
that the underlying bill would cover it, so for that reason, I would
oppose it.
I appreciate the gentleman's concern, and I am sure there are other
ways that we could work it out, but we do believe the bill itself would
cover that.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BERA. Mr. Chairman, I am prepared to close.
My amendment would increase support for communities of color who face
domestic and sexual violence in our country and allow them to access
critical support services in a culturally appropriate context.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment and the
underlying bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Bera).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 22 Offered by Mr. Gallego

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 22
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 136, insert after line 9 the following (and amend the
table of contents accordingly):

SEC. 905. REPORT ON THE RESPONSE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
TO REPORTS OF MISSING OR MURDERED INDIANS.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered database.--The term ``covered database''
means--
(A) the database of the National Crime Information Center;
(B) the Combined DNA Index System;
(C) the Next Generation Identification System; and
(D) any other database or system of a law enforcement
agency under which a report of a missing or murdered Indian
may be submitted, including--
(i) the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program; or
(ii) the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.
(2) Indian.--The term ``Indian'' has the meaning given the
term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(3) Indian country.--The term ``Indian country'' has the
meaning given the term in section 1151 of title 18, United
States Code.
(4) Law enforcement agency.--The term ``law enforcement
agency'' means a Federal, State, local, or Tribal law
enforcement agency.

[[Page H3050]]

(5) Missing or murdered indian.--The term ``missing or
murdered Indian'' means any Indian who is--
(A) reported missing in Indian country or any other
location; or
(B) murdered in Indian country or any other location.
(6) Notification system.--The term ``notification system''
means--
(A) the Criminal Justice Information Network;
(B) the AMBER Alert communications network established
under subtitle A of title III of the PROTECT Act (34 U.S.C.
20501 et seq.); and
(C) any other system or public notification system that
relates to a report of a missing or murdered Indian,
including any State, local, or Tribal notification system.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall submit to the Committee on Indian Affairs
of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the
House of Representatives a comprehensive report that
includes--
(1) a review of--
(A) each law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over
missing or murdered Indians and the basis for that
jurisdiction;
(B) the response procedures, with respect to a report of a
missing or murdered Indian, of--
(i) the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
(ii) the Bureau of Indian Affairs; and
(iii) any other Federal law enforcement agency responsible
for responding to or investigating a report of a missing or
murdered Indian;
(C) each covered database and notification system;
(D) Federal interagency cooperation and notification
policies and procedures related to missing or murdered
Indians;
(E) the requirements of each Federal law enforcement agency
relating to notifying State, local, or Tribal law enforcement
agencies after the Federal law enforcement agency receives a
report of a missing or murdered Indian; and
(F) the public notification requirements of law enforcement
agencies relating to missing or murdered Indians;
(2) recommendations and best practices relating to
improving cooperation between and response policies of law
enforcement agencies relating to missing and murdered
Indians; and
(3) recommendations relating to--
(A) improving how--
(i) covered databases address instances of missing or
murdered Indians, including by improving access to,
integrating, and improving the sharing of information between
covered databases; and
(ii) notification systems address instances of missing or
murdered Indians, including by improving access to,
integrating, and improving the sharing of information between
notification systems;
(B) social, educational, economic, and any other factor
that may contribute to an Indian becoming a missing or
murdered Indian; and
(C) legislation to reduce the likelihood that an Indian may
become a missing or murdered Indian.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentleman
from Arizona (Mr. Gallego) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.
Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Chair, my amendment to the Violence Against Women
Act shines a light on a crisis that has been ignored for too long by
this body: the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women.
In Indian Country, American Indians and Alaska Native women
experience murder rates ten times the national average.
One study found that there were 5,712 reported cases of missing
indigenous women in 2016.
In reality, the numbers are even worse than this, because indigenous
women are often underrepresented in national and local data.
Just one example of the thousands of heartbreaking cases of missing
and murdered women and girls is Ashlynne Mike, an 11-year-old Navajo
girl.
In 2016, Ashlynne and her 9-year-old brother, Ian, were tricked into
accepting a ride home from a stranger while playing after school on the
Navajo Reservation.
When Ashlynne and Ian did not return home, her family contacted the
authorities.
Ian was eventually found a few hours later wandering on the side of a
road.
Friends and family members then mobilized a search party for Ashlynne
and spread the news of her abduction through texts and social media.
However, because of the jurisdictional issues, an official AMBER Alert
wasn't issued until 12 hours after her disappearance.
According to a study on children abductions by the Washington State
Attorney General's Office, 76 percent of kidnapped children are killed
within the first 3 hours.
Eventually, Ashlynne's body was found by family members near a dirt
road.
Indigenous communities are demanding action on this crisis and
justice for Native women and girls like Ashlynne.
That is why last month, I was proud to hold the first ever hearing on
missing and murdered indigenous women in the Subcommittee for
Indigenous Peoples of the United States.
That is why today, I am proud to introduce this amendment as a first
step towards solutions.
We know the factors exacerbating this crisis are many. They include
lack of resources, lack of coordination between law enforcement
agencies, and jurisdictional challenges within our criminal justice
system.
My amendment would drill down on the nature and scope of these
issues, so that we can take direct legislative action to fix them. It
will give us the tools to give Tribes the resources and support they
need to combat horrific violence directed at their communities.
This amendment is identical to the bipartisan Studying the Missing
and Murdered Indian Crisis Act that I introduced earlier this week and
that Senator Tester has introduced in the Senate.
After hearing Ashlynne's story and knowing that there are thousands
of women and girls who have suffered and died as a result of this
crisis, I am sure that my colleagues will agree: Silence is not an
option. Inaction is not an option.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. I yield
back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gallego).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 23 Offered by Ms. Clark of Massachusetts

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 23
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the
desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Add, at the end of the bill, the following (and conform the
table of contents accordingly):

TITLE XV--CYBERCRIME ENFORCEMENT

SEC. 1501. LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANTS FOR ENFORCEMENT OF
CYBERCRIMES.

(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Attorney General shall award grants under
this section to States and units of local government for the
prevention, enforcement, and prosecution of cybercrimes
against individuals.
(b) Application.--
(1) In general.--To request a grant under this section, the
chief executive officer of a State or unit of local
government shall submit an application to the Attorney
General within 90 days after the date on which funds to carry
out this section are appropriated for a fiscal year, in such
form as the Attorney General may require. Such application
shall include the following:
(A) A certification that Federal funds made available under
this section will not be used to supplant State or local
funds, but will be used to increase the amounts of such funds
that would, in the absence of Federal funds, be made
available for law enforcement activities.
(B) An assurance that, not fewer than 30 days before the
application (or any amendment to the application) was
submitted to the Attorney General, the application (or
amendment) was submitted for review to the governing body of
the State or unit of local government (or to an organization
designated by that governing body).
(C) An assurance that, before the application (or any
amendment to the application) was submitted to the Attorney
General--
(i) the application (or amendment) was made public; and
(ii) an opportunity to comment on the application (or
amendment) was provided to citizens and to neighborhood or
community-based organizations, to the extent applicable law
or established procedure makes such an opportunity available.
(D) An assurance that, for each fiscal year covered by an
application, the applicant shall maintain and report such
data, records, and information (programmatic and financial)
as the Attorney General may reasonably require.
(E) A certification, made in a form acceptable to the
Attorney General and executed by the chief executive officer
of the applicant (or by another officer of the applicant, if
qualified under regulations promulgated by the Attorney
General), that--

[[Page H3051]]

(i) the programs to be funded by the grant meet all the
requirements of this section;
(ii) all the information contained in the application is
correct;
(iii) there has been appropriate coordination with affected
agencies; and
(iv) the applicant will comply with all provisions of this
section and all other applicable Federal laws.
(F) A certification that the State or in the case of a unit
of local government, the State in which the unit of local
government is located, has in effect criminal laws which
prohibit cybercrimes against individuals.
(G) A certification that any equipment described in
subsection (c)(7) purchased using grant funds awarded under
this section will be used primarily for investigations and
forensic analysis of evidence in matters involving
cybercrimes against individuals.
(c) Use of Funds.--Grants awarded under this section may
only be used for programs that provide--
(1) training for State or local law enforcement personnel
relating to cybercrimes against individuals, including--
(A) training such personnel to identify and protect victims
of cybercrimes against individuals;
(B) training such personnel to utilize Federal, State,
local, and other resources to assist victims of cybercrimes
against individuals;
(C) training such personnel to identify and investigate
cybercrimes against individuals;
(D) training such personnel to enforce and utilize the laws
that prohibit cybercrimes against individuals;
(E) training such personnel to utilize technology to assist
in the investigation of cybercrimes against individuals and
enforcement of laws that prohibit such crimes; and
(F) the payment of overtime incurred as a result of such
training;
(2) training for State or local prosecutors, judges, and
judicial personnel, relating to cybercrimes against
individuals, including--
(A) training such personnel to identify, investigate,
prosecute, or adjudicate cybercrimes against individuals;
(B) training such personnel to utilize laws that prohibit
cybercrimes against individuals;
(C) training such personnel to utilize Federal, State,
local, and other resources to assist victims of cybercrimes
against individuals; and
(D) training such personnel to utilize technology to assist
in the prosecution or adjudication of acts of cybercrimes
against individuals, including the use of technology to
protect victims of such crimes;
(3) training for State or local emergency dispatch
personnel relating to cybercrimes against individuals,
including--
(A) training such personnel to identify and protect victims
of cybercrimes against individuals;
(B) training such personnel to utilize Federal, State,
local, and other resources to assist victims of cybercrimes
against individuals;
(C) training such personnel to utilize technology to assist
in the identification of and response to cybercrimes against
individuals; and
(D) the payment of overtime incurred as a result of such
training;
(4) assistance to State or local law enforcement agencies
in enforcing laws that prohibit cybercrimes against
individuals, including expenses incurred in performing
enforcement operations, such as overtime payments;
(5) assistance to State or local law enforcement agencies
in educating the public in order to prevent, deter, and
identify violations of laws that prohibit cybercrimes against
individuals;
(6) assistance to State or local law enforcement agencies
to establish task forces that operate solely to conduct
investigations, forensic analyses of evidence, and
prosecutions in matters involving cybercrimes against
individuals;
(7) assistance to State or local law enforcement and
prosecutors in acquiring computers, computer equipment, and
other equipment necessary to conduct investigations and
forensic analysis of evidence in matters involving
cybercrimes against individuals, including expenses incurred
in the training, maintenance, or acquisition of technical
updates necessary for the use of such equipment for the
duration of a reasonable period of use of such equipment;
(8) assistance in the facilitation and promotion of
sharing, with State and local law enforcement officers and
prosecutors, of the expertise and information of Federal law
enforcement agencies about the investigation, analysis, and
prosecution of matters involving laws that prohibit
cybercrimes against individuals, including the use of
multijurisdictional task forces; or
(9) assistance to State and local law enforcement and
prosecutors in processing interstate extradition requests for
violations of laws involving cybercrimes against individuals,
including expenses incurred in the extradition of an offender
from one State to another.
(d) Report to the Secretary.--On the date that is one year
after the date on which a State or unit of local government
receives a grant under this section, and annually thereafter,
the chief executive of such State or unit of local government
shall submit to the Attorney General a report which
contains--
(1) a summary of the activities carried out during the
previous year with any grant received by such State or unit
of local government;
(2) an evaluation of the results of such activities; and
(3) such other information as the Attorney General may
reasonably require.
(e) Report to Congress.--Not later than November 1 of each
even-numbered fiscal year, the Attorney General shall submit
to the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary of the
Senate a report that contains a compilation of the
information contained in the report submitted under
subsection (d).
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2020 through 2024.
(2) Limitation.--Of the amount made available under
paragraph (1) in any fiscal year, not more than 5 percent may
be used for evaluation, monitoring, technical assistance,
salaries, and administrative expenses.
(g) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``cybercrimes against individuals'' means the
criminal offenses applicable in the relevant State or unit of
local government that involve the use of a computer to cause
personal harm to an individual, such as the use of a computer
to harass, threaten, stalk, extort, coerce, cause fear,
intimidate, without consent distribute intimate images of, or
violate the privacy of, an individual, except that--
(A) use of a computer need not be an element of such an
offense; and
(B) such term does not include the use of a computer to
cause harm to a commercial entity, government agency, or any
non-natural persons.
(2) The term ``computer'' includes a computer network and
an interactive electronic device.

SEC. 1502. NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER GRANT.

(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Attorney General shall award a grant
under this section to an eligible entity for the purpose of
the establishment and maintenance of a National Resource
Center on Cybercrimes Against Individuals to provide resource
information, training, and technical assistance to improve
the capacity of individuals, organizations, governmental
entities, and communities to prevent, enforce, and prosecute
cybercrimes against individuals.
(b) Application.--To request a grant under this section, an
eligible entity shall submit an application to the Attorney
General not later than 90 days after the date on which funds
to carry out this section are appropriated for fiscal year
2020 in such form as the Attorney General may require. Such
application shall include the following:
(1) An assurance that, for each fiscal year covered by an
application, the applicant shall maintain and report such
data, records, and information (programmatic and financial)
as the Attorney General may reasonably require.
(2) A certification, made in a form acceptable to the
Attorney General, that--
(A) the programs funded by the grant meet all the
requirements of this section;
(B) all the information contained in the application is
correct; and
(C) the applicant will comply with all provisions of this
section and all other applicable Federal laws.
(c) Use of Funds.--The eligible entity awarded a grant
under this section shall use such amounts for the
establishment and maintenance of a National Resource Center
on Cybercrimes Against Individuals, which shall--
(1) offer a comprehensive array of technical assistance and
training resources to Federal, State, and local governmental
agencies, community-based organizations, and other
professionals and interested parties, related to cybercrimes
against individuals, including programs and research related
to victims;
(2) maintain a resource library which shall collect,
prepare, analyze, and disseminate information and statistics
related to--
(A) the incidence of cybercrimes against individuals;
(B) the enforcement, and prosecution of laws relating to
cybercrimes against individuals; and
(C) the provision of supportive services and resources for
victims of cybercrimes against individuals; and
(3) conduct research related to--
(A) the causes of cybercrimes against individuals;
(B) the effect of cybercrimes against individuals on
victims of such crimes; and
(C) model solutions to prevent or deter cybercrimes against
individuals or to enforce the laws relating to cybercrimes
against individuals.
(d) Duration of Grant.--
(1) In general.--The grant awarded under this section shall
be awarded for a period of 5 years.
(2) Renewal.--A grant under this section may be renewed for
additional 5-year periods if the Attorney General determines
that the funds made available to the recipient were used in a
manner described in subsection (c), and if the recipient
resubmits an application described in subsection (b) in such
form, and at such time as the Attorney General may reasonably
require.

[[Page H3052]]

(e) Subgrants.--The eligible entity awarded a grant under
this section may make subgrants to other nonprofit private
organizations with relevant subject matter expertise in order
to establish and maintain the National Resource Center on
Cybercrimes Against Individuals in accordance with subsection
(c).
(f) Report to the Secretary.--On the date that is one year
after the date on which an eligible entity receives a grant
under this section, and annually thereafter for the duration
of the grant period, the entity shall submit to the Attorney
General a report which contains--
(1) a summary of the activities carried out under the grant
program during the previous year;
(2) an evaluation of the results of such activities; and
(3) such other information as the Attorney General may
reasonably require.
(g) Report to Congress.--Not later than November 1 of each
even-numbered fiscal year, the Attorney General shall submit
to the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary of the
Senate a report that contains a compilation of the
information contained in the report submitted under
subsection (d).
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $4,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024.
(i) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Cybercrimes against individuals.--The term
``cybercrimes against individuals'' has the meaning given
such term in section 1501(g).
(2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means a
nonprofit private organization that focuses on cybercrimes
against individuals and that--
(A) provides documentation to the Attorney General
demonstrating experience working directly on issues of
cybercrimes against individuals; and
(B) includes on the entity's advisory board representatives
who have a documented history of working directly on issues
of cybercrimes against individuals and who are geographically
and culturally diverse.

SEC. 1503. NATIONAL STRATEGY, CLASSIFICATION, AND REPORTING
ON CYBERCRIME.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Computer.--The term ``computer'' includes a computer
network and any interactive electronic device.
(2) Cybercrime against individuals.--The term ``cybercrime
against individuals'' means a Federal, State, or local
criminal offense that involves the use of a computer to cause
personal harm to an individual, such as the use of a computer
to harass, threaten, stalk, extort, coerce, cause fear,
intimidate, without consent distribute intimate images of, or
violate the privacy of, an individual, except that--
(A) use of a computer need not be an element of the
offense; and
(B) the term does not include the use of a computer to
cause harm to a commercial entity, government agency, or non-
natural person.
(b) National Strategy.--The Attorney General shall develop
a national strategy to--
(1) reduce the incidence of cybercrimes against
individuals;
(2) coordinate investigations of cybercrimes against
individuals by Federal law enforcement agencies; and
(3) increase the number of Federal prosecutions of
cybercrimes against individuals.
(c) Classification of Cybercrimes Against Individuals for
Purposes of Crime Reports.--In accordance with the authority
of the Attorney General under section 534 of title 28, United
States Code, the Director of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation shall--
(1) design and create within the Uniform Crime Reports a
category for offenses that constitute cybercrimes against
individuals;
(2) to the extent feasible, within the category established
under paragraph (1), establish subcategories for each type of
cybercrime against individuals that is an offense under
Federal or State law;
(3) classify the category established under paragraph (1)
as a Part I crime in the Uniform Crime Reports; and
(4) classify each type of cybercrime against individuals
that is an offense under Federal or State law as a Group A
offense for the purpose of the National Incident-Based
Reporting System.
(d) Annual Summary.--The Attorney General shall publish an
annual summary of the information reported in the Uniform
Crime Reports and the National Incident-Based Reporting
System relating to cybercrimes against individuals.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentlewoman
from Massachusetts (Ms. Clark) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Massachusetts.
Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. Chairman, every day, millions of
Americans use the internet to enrich their lives, engage with their
communities, and do their jobs.
While most online interactions are positive, the sad reality is that
for far too many Americans having an online presence means being
subjected to harassment, stalking, sextortion, and sexual abuse.
In recent years, the internet has become an easy way for abusers to
stalk victims of domestic violence and prey on vulnerable children.
These crimes aren't just one-off occurrences, they are not just
virtual. They can destroy lives.
One of my constituents received an onslaught of rape and death
threats so horrific and explicit that she and her husband fled their
home and eventually moved because they feared for their lives.
Unfortunately, when she reported these threats to law enforcement,
the officers she worked with did not have the training or the resources
necessary to fully investigate this crime and bring the perpetrators to
justice.
And this is just one story.
In fact, 20 percent, one in five, of all adult internet users have
been affected by cyberstalking, persistent harassing emails or other
unwanted online contact.
One increasingly common form of online abuse involves perpetrators
threatening to expose private or sensitive material, including nude
images, unless victims produce sexual materials or pay the abuser
money.
The Department of Justice recently declared that this type of abuse,
known as sextortion, ``. . . is by far the most significantly growing
threat to children,'' and that:

Sextortion cases tend to have more victims who are minors
per offense than all other child sexual exploitation
offenses.

According to a 2015 FBI analysis of 43 sextortion cases, at least two
victims committed suicide and at least ten more attempted.
From self-mutilation to suicide, the consequences of sextortion for
traumatized victims can be devastating.
If we are going to prevent these types of online crimes, we need to
make sure our law enforcement understands how to best combat them.
This amendment establishes a grant program to train local and State
law enforcement to prevent, enforce, and prosecute crimes carried out
online. It creates a national resource center to study these crimes and
requires the FBI to update the Uniform Crime Reports and National
Incident-Based Reporting System to include cybercrimes.
In an economy that is increasingly online, these crimes can
profoundly impact career choice and economic participation.
My amendment would make sure our criminal justice system is equipped
to respond to the crimes that happen online or offline.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to provide law enforcement with the
tools they need to combat these crimes by supporting my amendment.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Georgia is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I understand what the
gentlewoman is talking about and wants to do here.
The concern here is this amendment establishes an entirely new grant
program with a national resource center. It is unclear how it would be
necessary, but it is also unclear on what resources would be used to
establish that new center. And if it means taking money out of the
current VAWA bill for victims, for women and others, then I would
definitely be opposed to this.
Provisions in existing law and the underlying bill already address
these and similar issues, including digital and cyber abuse.
So just from that perspective, from a concern of where the funds are
actually coming from and how to do this, but also the fact that it
seems redundant, that is why I would oppose it.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Clark).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 24 Offered by Mr. Krishnamoorthi

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 24
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

[[Page H3053]]

The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 109, line 8, insert after ``other components of
economic security'' the following ``, including financial
empowerment, affordable housing, transportation, healthcare
access, and quality education and training opportunities''.

{time} 1830

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition
to the amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support
this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Krishnamoorthi).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 25 Offered by Mr. Krishnamoorthi

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 25
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 114, line 10, insert after ``or stalking'' the
following: ``, including guidelines and best practices to
promote the creation of effective employee assistance
programs''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentleman
from Illinois (Mr. Krishnamoorthi) and a Member opposed each will
control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment No. 25 to the
Violence Against Women Act.
For decades, Congress has taken action to ensure that victims of
domestic violence are supported and protected from their abusers by
providing resources and tools to promote health and safety.
We know that one in three women experience domestic violence or
sexual assault in their lifetime. We also know that the devastating
effects of such violence are experienced at home, in relationships, and
even when they go to work.
In fact, the Department of Labor reports that, in total, survivors of
domestic violence lose nearly 8 million days of paid work a year due to
a violent situation at home, whether that be finding legal assistance,
securing childcare, or receiving health services. Statistics show that
abusers are more likely to follow or harass survivors at their
workplace, which can add an overwhelming sense of fear. Survivors may
also experience an extreme loss in productivity due to distraction,
worry, or poor performance. Due to the abundance of difficult issues
facing these individuals, their ability to remain employed often is at
risk.
These missed days result in $1.8 billion in lost productivity for
American businesses per year. According to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, over 44 percent of workplaces do not have formal policies
that address domestic violence in the workplace.
Moving forward, we must find ways to help employers offer lifesaving
resources to victims of such violence, an endeavor that will improve
the health and safety of American employees both at home and at the
workplace.
Many companies nationwide have adopted effective ``employee
assistance programs'' that include comprehensive domestic violence
services for survivors. Employee assistance programs have been proven
to help survivors when they come into work by offering free counseling,
referrals, and assessments. In many cases, these programs offer
lifesaving services to survivors dealing with dangerous and difficult
situations at home.
This bipartisan amendment, which I am offering with my colleague
Congressman Don Bacon, directs the Department of Health and Human
Services and the Department of Labor to launch a public information
campaign that includes guidelines and best practices for employers to
create these effective employee assistance programs. By conducting
extensive research and sharing these findings with employers across the
country, we can strengthen support services at the workplace for the
betterment of women's health and safety.
Mr. Chairman, with the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women
Act, we have a momentous opportunity to improve employee assistance
programs throughout the country. I urge my colleagues to seize this
moment by supporting this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Krishnamoorthi).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 26 Offered by Mr. Brown of Maryland

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 26
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 28, insert after line 24 the following (and conform
the table of contents accordingly):

SEC. 108. GRANTS FOR LETHALITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAMS.

(a) In General.--The Attorney General may make grants to
States, units of local government, Indian tribes, domestic
violence victim service providers, and State or Tribal
Domestic Violence Coalitions for technical assistance and
training in the operation or establishment of a lethality
assessment program.
(b) Definition.--In this section, the term ``lethality
assessment program'' means a program that--
(1) rapidly connects a victim of domestic violence to local
community-based victim service providers;
(2) helps first responders and others in the justice
system, including courts, law enforcement agencies, and
prosecutors of tribal government and units of local
government, identify and respond to possibly lethal
circumstances; and

[[Page H3054]]

(3) identifies victims of domestic violence who are at high
risk of being seriously injured or killed by an intimate
partner.
(c) Qualifications.--To be eligible for a grant under this
section, an applicant shall demonstrate experience in
developing, implementing, evaluating, and disseminating a
lethality assessment program.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated $5,000,000 to carry out this section for
each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024.
(e) Definitions.--Terms used in this section have the
meanings given such terms in section 40002 of the Violence
Against Women Act of 1994.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentleman
from Maryland (Mr. Brown) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland.
Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Chairman, I want to first recognize the hard work of my
colleagues--the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Jerry Nadler; my
colleague from California, Congresswoman Karen Bass; as well as all the
members of the Judiciary Committee--on the underlying bill.
My amendment would create a grant program for States, localities, and
nonprofits to establish and operate a lethality assessment program.
The lethality assessment program was developed in my home State of
Maryland in 2005 by the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence.
Research shows that for one-third of victims of domestic violence,
homicide or attempted homicide was the first act of violence in that
relationship.
Research also shows that in the year prior to the homicide, more than
44 percent of abusers were arrested, and almost one-third of the
victims contacted the police about the abuser.
The lethality assessment program was developed to reduce the number
of missed opportunities to identify victims of domestic violence who
are at risk of being killed, and it enables them to take steps that
might save their lives.
The lethality assessment program is an evidence-based homicide
prevention tool. Because intimate partner homicides are predictable in
many cases, they are preventable in many cases.
This program is used in 37 States by law enforcement, nurses, social
workers, hospital personnel, caseworkers, and court personnel.
By simply asking the lethality screening questions, the trained
person conducting the screening educates the victim about the signs of
increased risk of homicide. The trained person then further educates
the victim as to how to remain safe, what options are available, and
what resources are in the community. The victim feels empowered to make
choices that increase their own safety.
The lethality assessment program is one of only two models of
evidence-based intimate partner homicide prevention to be recognized
and honored as a promising practice by the Department of Justice.
During my time as Lieutenant Governor, I supported expanding and
fully funding the lethality assessment program in Maryland because I
understood then, just as I understand today, that domestic violence and
violence against women is not just a woman's issue. Domestic violence
impacts all of us, families, neighbors, and entire communities.
As we stand here debating my amendment and whether to reauthorize
legal protections and resources for women, one in four women continue
to experience abuse or stalking by their current or former intimate
partner.
One woman of the thousands who are killed by a current or former
intimate partner every year was my cousin, Cathy. She was a 40-year-old
woman and a teacher. She loved her work, and she loved her
schoolchildren.
On the weekend before she was going to begin her classes, in 2008,
she was stalked; she was ambushed; she was tormented; and she was shot
and killed by her former intimate partner in front of two police
officers.
While there is nothing that will bring Cathy back, we have the
opportunity, right now, to pass commonsense legislation that safeguards
women and families from the horrors that Cathy and my family
experienced, and so many other families.
Domestic violence does not discriminate, and it is up to us to ensure
that our wives, husbands, partners, mothers, and children live their
lives free from violence.
Mr. Chairman, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this
amendment and the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Brown).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 27 Offered by Ms. Haaland

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 27
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Ms. HAALAND. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 18, line 8, strike ``and''.
Page 18, line 14, strike the period at the end and insert a
semicolon.
Page 18, after line 14, insert the following:
``(23) providing victim advocates in State or local law
enforcement agencies, prosecutors' offices, and courts and
providing supportive services and advocacy to urban American
Indian and Alaska Native victims of domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, and stalking.''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentlewoman
from New Mexico (Ms. Haaland) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New Mexico.
Ms. HAALAND. Mr. Chairman, this bipartisan amendment addresses the
needs of Native Americans living in urban areas by making victim
advocates available in State courts for urban Indians under the STOP
Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program for States.
In 2018, the State STOP grant program awarded 56 awards totaling over
$154 million to State programs to provide funding for victim services
to address sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and
stalking through State initiatives to enhance existing programs and
fill gaps in services.
Currently, the State STOP grant program is used to strengthen
partnerships between Tribal and non-Tribal stakeholders to improve
responses to Native American victims, but there is no requirement for
State grant activities to prioritize the hiring of in-court victim
advocates for urban Indians.
Frequently, the subgrantees of this program are community-based
organizations, which are chronically underfunded, short-staffed, and
not able to specifically address the needs of urban Indian victims.
This leaves urban Native victims without any resources, which are
severely needed within State courts and which could easily be remedied
by hiring in-court State victim advocates. This is especially true in
light of the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women, to break
the cycle of generational trauma and violence.
Due to devastating Federal policies, like forced relocation and
removal, 71 percent of the Native American population lives in urban
areas. Urban cities with high populations of Native Americans include
places like Phoenix; Seattle; Los Angeles; and in my district,
Albuquerque.
Recent reports by the Urban Indian Health Institute identified 506
cases of missing and murdered indigenous women across 71 urban cities.
My State of New Mexico ranked number one for the highest number of
missing and murdered indigenous women cases, which was 78.
Mr. Chairman, I thank the bipartisan cosponsors of this amendment,
Representatives Grijalva, Cole, Gallego, Moore, Young, Case, Soto,
Davids, and Torres, for their support. I ask my colleagues to help
these Native American women who are the victims of violence.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Haaland).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 28 Offered by Ms. Haaland

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 28
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Ms. HAALAND. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

[[Page H3055]]

The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 127, strike line 3, and insert the following:
(a) In General.--Section 534 of title 28, United States
Code, is
Page 127, insert after line 11 the following:
(b) Indian Tribe and Indian Law Enforcement Information
Sharing.--Section 534 of title 28, United States Code, is
further amended by amending subsection (d) to read as
follows:
``(d) Indian Tribe and Indian Law Enforcement Information
Sharing.--The Attorney General shall permit tribal law
enforcement entities (including entities designated by a
tribe as maintaining public safety within a tribe's
territorial jurisdiction that has no federal or state arrest
authority) and Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement
agencies--
``(1) to access and enter information into Federal criminal
information databases; and
``(2) to obtain information from the databases.''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentlewoman
from New Mexico (Ms. Haaland) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New Mexico.
Ms. HAALAND. Mr. Chairman, I offer this bipartisan amendment to
improve public safety in Indian Country through the Tribal Access
Program, or TAP, which is an existing information-sharing system for
Tribes in Indian Country.
The Tribal Access Program administered through the Department of
Justice is an effective method of sharing criminal conviction
information between Tribal, local, State, and Federal law enforcement
agencies.

{time} 1845

TAP allows law enforcement officers in neighboring jurisdictions to
see each other's restraining orders, warrants, and exclusion orders
across jurisdictional boundaries to improve public safety.
Having this information is critical to keeping victims of domestic
violence safe from harm, but, unfortunately, the Department of Justice
has told many Tribes they don't qualify to participate. Although the
statute says that any Tribal government can access this data, the DOJ
rejects applications from Tribes that don't specifically have arrest
authority.
Under my amendment, a Tribal government with a designated public
safety agency, regardless of their ability to detain and arrest
perpetrators, will have access and the ability to enter information
into the TAP program.
I want to be clear that my amendment does not allow these designated
public safety departments or agencies to determine criminal
convictions. That is a determination made by courts through due
process. This amendment only allows information sharing and access to
TAP to better communicate between public safety departments on
reservations that are frequently limited in resources.
The stakes are too high to continue to deny Tribes that are already
struggling from resources to keep people safe in Indian Country access
to this important information.
For example, I heard from a Tribe that one of their members had a
preexisting restraining order against her abuser; however, when the
perpetrator entered the reservation, the Reservation Patrol--a Tribal
public safety agency without arrest authority--unknowingly allowed the
abuser to enter the reservation because they did not have access to
information about the existing restraining order.
The violation of the restraining order against the unsuspecting
victim could have been prevented if the Reservation Patrol had the
ability to access the criminal history of the abuser through TAP.
Denying Tribal public safety departments access to information that
can prevent crimes, particularly violence against women, is
unconscionable.
The chronic lack of public safety resources in Indian Country,
including inadequately staffed law enforcement agencies and lack of
cell phone and internet service for communication, already puts Tribes
behind in protecting their members.
If this were about any other community located off the reservation,
it is likely this amendment wouldn't be at issue today.
I thank the bipartisan cosponsors of this amendment--Representatives
Young, Cook, Grijalva, Cole, Gallego, Ruiz, Case, Soto, Davids, and
Torres--for their support and ask my colleagues to help give Tribal
public safety departments the information they need to protect Native
American women from violence.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Haaland).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 29 Offered by Mr. Rouda

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 29
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 85, after line 13, insert the following (and
redesignate other provisions accordingly):
(4) Transgender and gender non-conforming people face
extraordinary levels of physical and sexual violence.
(5) More than 1 in 4 transgender people have faced bias-
driven assault, and this rate is higher for trans women and
trans people of color.
(6) The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has
found that transgender and gender non-conforming people had
an elevated prevalence of suicide attempts, especially when
they have suffered physical or sexual violence.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentleman
from California (Mr. Rouda) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chair, transgender and gender nonconforming people
face extraordinary levels of physical and sexual violence. According to
the U.S. Transgender Survey, which surveyed nearly 28,000 transgender
Americans across all 50 States, nearly half of transgender individuals
have been sexually assaulted in their lifetime, and nearly 1 in 10
respondents in the survey reported that they were physically attacked
in the past year because of being transgender.
Transgender people face disproportionate harassment and violence.
More than one in four transgender people have faced bias-driven
assault, and this rate is higher for trans women and trans people of
color. The fear caused by these acts sends people underground and away
from community services and support.
This violence has deadly consequences. The American Foundation for
Suicide Prevention has found that transgender and gender nonconforming
people have an elevated prevalence of suicide attempts, especially when
they have suffered physical or sexual assault.
As always, listening to and believing survivors is critical, and I
stand committed to rejecting the prejudice and hate facing transgender
and gender nonconforming people in our Nation. Far too often, the
experiences of transgender and gender nonconforming people are ignored
and overlooked.
My amendment, which is supported by the Human Rights Campaign and the
National Center for Transgender Equality, adds language to the Violence
Against Women Reauthorization Act that recognizes the ongoing epidemic
of violence against these members of the LGBTQ community.
Mr. Chair, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this
amendment that seeks to include the experiences of transgender and
gender nonconforming people in this important piece of legislation.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman. I
have no problem.
As far as any violence against anyone, no matter what the cause is,
is wrong. And no one should be treated differently because of choices
and other things in their life, whether it be just the basic humanity
that we deal with.
I think the only concern that I have here, as someone who has dealt
with

[[Page H3056]]

suicide, who has dealt with it on a counseling level for many years
both in the military and outside, I would not want to assign a certain
bias to the reasoning here, because there are other reasons, as well,
for suicide, and to keep that holistically. That is why, from my
personal standpoint, I would not want to assign that.
I think any of these is tragic and do contribute to that issue, just
as it would anything else. So I think limiting it, in my opinion, would
not be good in the holistic approach to making sure that no one
believes that their only choice in life is suicide, which is what the
amendment seems to do.
I think there are multiple things there, and we need to be very aware
of that--and the friends and family around us. If I could take anything
else from this moment, it is that I would include everybody listening
in today, no matter what their background is, suicide is something that
is tragic.
And if it comes to a point where people do not feel any hope, it is
imperative that people reach out to all people, no matter who they are,
if they know them or not, and just ask simple questions: ``Are you
okay?'' ``Can we talk?'' Do the things like that that help people
understand that they are not alone in this situation.
I appreciate the gentleman's concern. I do voice opposition to this
amendment just in the sense that I believe it is too limiting in scope
to say that this is the reason why or to input a bias into a
congressional finding.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the Member's comments and agree
that suicide, nationally, is an issue, regardless of the situation, and
I appreciate his comments that anybody in that situation should be
encouraged to reach out.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Rouda).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 30 Offered by Mr. Rouda

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 30
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 38, after line 15, insert the following (and
redesignate other provisions accordingly):
(C) in paragraph (4), by inserting after ``improve delivery
of'' the following: ``primary prevention training and''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentleman
from California (Mr. Rouda) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chair, as we seek to reauthorize this landmark piece
of bipartisan legislation, it is important that we recognize we have a
long way to go to end rape, sexual violence, and sexual harassment on
college campuses.
Nearly one-quarter of American college women experience sexual
violence.
Let me repeat. Nearly one-quarter of college women experience sexual
violence while attending school.
We have failed the young people of our Nation who are tirelessly
pursuing higher education and chasing the American Dream.
The Violence Against Women Act supports hundreds of thousands of
sexual assault survivors across the United States; however, we must do
more to prevent these acts of sexual violence from occurring in the
first place. My amendment would give colleges and universities the
opportunity to use grant funding to offer or improve the delivery of
primary prevention training.
Primary prevention training is exactly what it sounds like. It seeks
to educate and change the culture on college campuses. It promotes
healthy relationships and addresses community and societal challenges.
It teaches students consent and stops sexual assaults from occurring.
Organizations like End Rape on Campus know that primary prevention
training works, and they are in full support of this amendment.
As I mentioned earlier, one-quarter of college women experience
sexual violence while on campus. Today, we can begin to change that
unacceptable statistic by adopting this amendment.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition,
although I am not necessarily opposed to it.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for
5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, again, I do not necessarily oppose
the amendment.
I think the underlying actual law addresses what you are after here,
so, in my mind, it is duplicative and can serve to muddy up, really,
some existing law that is already here. So that would be my concern
about your amendment. I think it is already covered.
Mr. Chair, I appreciate the gentleman offering the amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Rouda).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 31 Offered by Mr. Rouda

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 31
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 39, line 6, insert after ``efforts.'' the following:
``(12) To develop and implement an alternative justice
response (as such term is defined in section 40002(a) of the
Violence Against Women Act of 1994).''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentleman
from California (Mr. Rouda) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chair, as I mentioned, 25 percent of female students
on campus have experienced sexual assault, yet less than 10 percent of
college students who experience sexual violence report their assaults.
For many survivors, reporting a sexual assault is an incredibly
traumatic process that forces them to repeatedly relive the worst days
or nights of their lives.
More than just traumatic, reporting can be dangerous or detrimental
to one's social status, academic pursuits, or career prospects.
Knowing that 90 percent of students feel uncomfortable with the
current reporting process, my amendment would give colleges and
universities the opportunity to use grant funding to offer alternative
justice response programs.
These programs allow for a nonpunitive response to objectionable
conduct, seek accountability from the accused, provide alternative
pathways for justice and healing for survivors, and give an opportunity
for education and behavioral change.
Research has shown that alternative justice programs, which return
autonomy and control to survivors, can lessen PTSD symptoms.
Working toward justice and healing are not always linear processes,
and this amendment would allow for the complex experiences of survivors
to be respected and supported.
Mr. Chair, I ask that my colleagues join me in supporting this
amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition
to the amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Georgia is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, this one is one that, from many
perspectives--and we talked about this a little bit earlier in this
debate. Especially when it comes to the alternative justice issue here,
we understand the concerns for the victims and need to be a part of
that, but this is something prosecutors across the country have

[[Page H3057]]

opposed. And, in fact, the National District Attorneys Association
points out in a letter today:

While this approach may work successfully in other types of
situations, we lack sufficient information on potential
downsides of bringing a batterer into the same room with a
victim in order to conflict-resolve what is considered a
crime of violence.

{time} 1900

They go on to say that:

A philosophy of putting the ability to consent to this kind
of program on a victim's shoulders is misplaced and may
result in unintended consequences to the victim, such as
safety concerns. The prosecutors are among the people that
utilize the beneficial tools of VAWA the most, and they are
on the front lines of combating the violence against women.

I don't think that we should ignore that. I think when we are looking
at this, as I said earlier in this debate today, anyone who does this
is a criminal. If they do this to people, stalking, domestic violence,
all this, they are criminal actions, and I do not want to take that
away from this. The victim should be cared for. The victim should be
nurtured. The victim should be able to come forward in that process.
But I do not want to take campuses and other places away where it
becomes something which law enforcement does not have the primary say
so, or you are allowing the campus, Mr. Chairman, to come in and have
their own alternative kind of investigative process. And this is
something that is of concern.
I appreciate the gentleman's concern in how people move through this
process, but this is just not the right way to go, especially in this
bill. There may be other ways to address this.
That is why I would oppose the amendment, because I just feel like we
do not need to ever take away the fact that the victims in this are
victims of a crime. We never can take that away and would not want to
resurface that in any other way. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman's comments.
As I mentioned early, when you look at 25 percent of the female
student body experiencing sexual assault on campus, and only 10 percent
feeling comfortable to come forward and report, that 90 percent of them
that do not feel that they have an avenue that they are comfortable
with to share their story and seek justice, this is an opportunity to
do just that.
There is no evidence that suggests those universities that have
already provided restorative justice have seen a decline in actual
reports.
As such, I think this is a program that provides exactly what was
laid out in the amendment and should have bipartisan support.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Again, not to prolong this, but I think the
interesting issue here, Mr. Chairman, is from the understanding there
are ways inside VAWA. There are other programs here. And I would just
have to say that for those who do not come forward, there are also many
other reasons besides the fact of the law enforcement process that we
go through here.
So what I don't want to have is just because the law enforcement
process does require reporting and does require this, we don't want to
let the abuser in this situation, or the perpetrator in this situation
be allowed to continue because the system is too hard.
I would like to see the system be made where the victims can come
forward and not take it away to where it would be something that is
alternative.
So I think in many ways we are probably saying or at least wanting
the same things. I want to make it easier for them to report the folks
who do this to them, no matter what background they are from or gender
they are or anything else and have that ability for law enforcement to
do what should be done, and that is, to put these people in jail.
I think that is the big difference I have here, and I don't think
this is the proper place for it. There may be other ways we can find
common ground in this, but not here, especially with what VAWA has the
ability to do already inside it.
So that is my opposition to this. We want the same thing. The people
who perpetrate these crimes need to be prosecuted. I just don't want to
see things diverted and an outlet given. It should be better for the
victims to be able to come and report this. It is a sad state of
occurrence when you don't have the ability or want to come report
because they feel the system is too hard. But also, not taking this out
of account, there are other reasons why this is not reported, or they
don't feel like they can come forward. And I don't think we can deny
that.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chairman, I will point out that lots of times victims
do not come forward to the police department and the court system
because they recognize that they often will not get justice. That could
be because of a lack of evidence, or that could be for other reasons.
This provides another recourse for them.
As the father of a daughter and three sons, I would want to see this
available for those kids in that type of a situation, that if the
victim felt this was the right course of action for them to address
that issue, then I believe this amendment helps them do just that.
And while I respect my colleague's comment, again, I would hold the
amendment up as is, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, again, that is fine. I think
the National District Attorneys Association also would agree that this
is something that should be studied, but not mandated. And I think the
amendment here goes farther than most of us are feeling comfortable
with in that regard.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Rouda).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 32 Offered by Mr. Rouda

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 32
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 38, strike lines 1 through 2 and insert the following:
(A) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2) To develop, strengthen, and implement campus
policies, protocols, and services that more effectively
identify and respond to the crimes of domestic violence,
dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, including the
use of technology to commit these crimes, and to train campus
administrators, campus security personnel, and all
participants in the resolution process, including the Title
IX coordinator's office and student conduct office on campus
disciplinary or judicial boards on such policies, protocols,
and services.''.
Page 39, line 12, strike ``and''.
Page 39, insert after line 12, the following:
(B) by amending paragraph (3)(D) to read as follows:
``(D) The grantee shall train all participants in the
resolution process, including the Title IX coordinator's
office and student conduct office, to respond effectively to
situations involving domestic violence, dating violence,
sexual assault, or stalking.''; and
Page 39, line 13, strike ``(B) in paragraph'' and insert
``(C) in paragraph''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentleman
from California (Mr. Rouda) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California
Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chairman, my final amendment addresses training for
all participants involved in the complaint resolution process.
Campus disciplinary processes, governed by Title IX, vary by school,
and involve many participants before the complaint even reaches the
hearing phase where a campus disciplinary or judicial board would be
involved. Many survivors never even reach the hearing phase.
At the same time, throughout the disclosure process, survivors are
required to relive and discuss their sexual assaults with
administrators, faculty, and staff. As previously mentioned, only 10
percent of college student survivors officially report their assault.
When and if they decide to report, survivors deserve to be met with
trauma-informed care, and campus faculty and staff deserve training on
the best practices to meet this critical need.
My amendment would give colleges and universities the opportunity to
use

[[Page H3058]]

grant funding for training of all participants involved with the
resolution process in training which identifies or responds to crimes
of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Resolution process members include the Title IX coordinator's office,
as well as the office of student conduct. This training will ensure
that survivors are treated with more respect, professionalism, and
compassion by every school official, campus security guard,
administrator, and professor.
I urge Members to adopt this amendment which promotes effective and
positive responses to survivors on college campuses.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Rouda).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 33 Offered by Mrs. Craig

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 33
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Mrs. CRAIG. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 37, line 21, insert ``(a) In General.--'' before
``Section 304''.
Page 39, after line 19, insert the following:
(b) Report on Best Practices Regarding Domestic Violence,
Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campuses.--
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of Education shall submit to Congress a
report, which includes--
(1) an evaluation of programs, events, and educational
materials related to domestic violence, dating violence,
sexual assault, and stalking; and
(2) an assessment of best practices and guidance from the
evaluation described in paragraph (1), which shall be made
publicly available online to universities and college
campuses to use as a resource.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentlewoman
from Minnesota (Mrs. Craig) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Minnesota.
Mrs. CRAIG. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment to H.R.
1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.
Every student deserves to learn in an environment that is safe and
free from harassment and violence. Yet, we all know that domestic
violence and sexual assault remain prevalent threats to women, and
especially young women, on college campuses across our country.
College-aged students are at greater risk than any other age groups
for domestic and sexual violence. These instances of violence are
vastly underreported. A study of college students by the U.S.
Department of Justice found that around one in five women are targets
of attempted or completed sexual assault.
The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 increases
funding for grants to combat violent crimes on campuses and allocates
funding to train campus health centers to recognize and to respond to
these crimes.
My amendment directs the Secretary of Education to study and submit a
report to Congress on best practices regarding the prevention of
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on
college campuses. This includes an evaluation of programs, events, and
educational materials related to preventing acts of violence and
harassment.
Preventing violence against young people on college campuses starts
with education. Sharing information for best practices and guidance for
educators on college campuses opens the door for collaborative work
among experts in intimate partner and sexual violence prevention.
My amendment does not change the enforcement and implementation
responsibilities of the Department of Education. Congress needs a
report on best practices for prevention of these acts of violence, not
on the agency's recent efforts to change regulations and requirements
under Title IX.
None of us can address sexual and domestic violence on our own. That
is why this amendment provides a commonsense approach toward solving
the problem by forcing the agency to continue to review best practices
and prevention methods for combating acts of violence.
Colleges and universities, sexual violence prevention experts, and
the Federal Government should share resources and information, learn
from their peers, and take steps toward eradicating sexual and domestic
violence altogether.
When it comes to the safety of our students, we cannot afford to work
in silos. Every student deserves to feel safe in their community and we
must be proactive and collaborative in our work to end sexual and
domestic violence on our college campuses.
I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and support the
underlying bill.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Minnesota (Mrs. Craig).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 34 Offered by Ms. Schrier

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 34
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Ms. SCHRIER. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 44, line 14, insert after ``professionals'' the
following: ``, including specialists in trauma and in
behavioral health care,''.
Page 44, line 17, strike ``and stalking'' and insert the
following: ``stalking, and children exposed to violence''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentlewoman
from Washington (Ms. Schrier) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Washington.
Ms. SCHRIER. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chair, I am pleased to offer this amendment to the Violence
Against Women Act along with my colleagues, Representatives Lauren
Underwood and also Representative Donna Shalala.
This amendment would help increase the number of healthcare
professionals who are able to assist children exposed to violence and
also ensures that trauma and behavioral healthcare specialists are
included in efforts to address domestic and dating violence, sexual
assault, stalking, and childhood exposure to violence.
The long-term effects of childhood exposure to adverse experiences,
which include domestic and sexual violence that go unaddressed, are
chilling. Children exposed to violence, when they become adults, are
more likely to have addictive behaviors, to drop out of school, and to
be violent themselves.
The effects of these adverse experiences can be mitigated through
counseling and other intervention services, which is why my amendment
would require funding authorized under this section to be used to
increase the number of social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists,
trauma specialists, and others who are trained in counseling children
exposed to violence.
As a pediatrician, I know firsthand that if we treat adverse
childhood experiences early, we can mitigate the costly long-term
effects that occur later in life.
I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Underwood).
Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of this
amendment, which I coauthored with my colleague from Washington.
A female pediatrician and female nurse working together to write
legislation, this has literally never happened before in this body.

{time} 1915

Our amendment ensures that trauma and behavioral health specialists
are included as healthcare professionals in the section of this bill
intended to strengthen our healthcare system's response to domestic
violence.
Behavioral healthcare, of course, includes mental health as well as
treatment for substance abuse disorders. Both are particularly
important to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating
violence, and stalking. Mental healthcare can be lifesaving for
domestic violence survivors. Survivors

[[Page H3059]]

are three times more likely to meet criteria for post-traumatic stress
disorder. They are also more likely to have suicidal thoughts and to
attempt suicide. Mothers who experience domestic violence are nearly
twice as likely to develop post-partum depression than those who don't.
Access for treatment for substance abuse is also critical for
domestic violence survivors. Survivors experience substance abuse
disorders at rates two to six times higher than average.
Violence against women isn't just a women's issue. It is a children's
issue, it is a men's issue, it is a family issue, and it is an economic
issue. That is why it is so important that our healthcare system take a
comprehensive approach to its response.
Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to
support our amendment.
Ms. SCHRIER. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Schrier).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 35 Offered by Ms. Underwood

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 35
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 142, insert after line 4 the following:

SEC. 1002. REPORT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ON THE EFFECTS OF
THE SHUTDOWN.

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this
title, the Attorney General shall submit a report to Congress
on the effects of the Federal Government shutdown that lasted
from December 22, 2018 to January 25, 2019, evaluating and
detailing the extent of the effect of the shutdown on the
ability of the Department of Justice to disperse funding and
services under the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, the
Violence Against Women and Department of Justice
Reauthorization Act of 2005, and the Victims of Crime Act of
1984, to victims of domestic violence, dating violence,
sexual assault, and stalking.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentlewoman
from Illinois (Ms. Underwood) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Illinois.
Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Chairman, the recent Federal Government shutdown
was the longest in our Nation's history. It was reckless, and it was
dangerous. It hurt our Nation's security, it hurt Federal workers, and
it hurt our most vulnerable populations, including survivors of
domestic violence and abuse.
My amendment would direct the Department of Justice to report to
Congress the effects of the shutdown on DOJ's efforts to disburse VAWA
and VOCA funding. This funding provides services to prevent and respond
to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
This amendment is in direct response to months of conversations with
domestic violence shelters and agencies that serve my community in
Illinois's 14th District and to the urgent need in all of our
districts.
I am thankful to my colleagues from Illinois and Pennsylvania for
their support as cosponsors.
Over the past month, we have worked to understand how the shutdown
affected our ability to respond to domestic violence. Let's be clear.
Everyone wants domestic violence victims to get the support they need.
But that didn't happen during the shutdown, and we don't know why not.
We have been told there was about a 2-week period at the beginning of
the shutdown where DOJ employees who help process VAWA and VOCA grants
weren't able to work. We know grantees were warned about a delay in
processing their funding, and we have been told that those DOJ
employees were expected and allowed to return to work at some point
during the shutdown.
But that is not enough. We need to know what happened so that we can
make sure it doesn't happen again.
I want to share the stories that I am hearing from shelters in my
district about how the shutdown affected them, because their
experiences are unacceptable. Family Shelter Service, a domestic
violence agency, serves my constituents in DuPage County, Illinois.
During the shutdown, they had to turn away 138 members of my community
who were seeking safety at the shelter. Because of the shutdown, Family
Shelter Service had to hold off on filling four open positions for
employees that were funded by VAWA and VOCA. Three of these positions
were for child counselors. The shelter reports that this directly led
to a decrease in the number of children whom they were able to help.
I also represent McHenry County in Illinois. It is a big county, but
it only has one domestic violence agency called Turning Point. In 2018
alone, Turning Point served more than 1,700 people, and 170 of those
were children. Fifteen percent of Turning Point's funding comes from
VOCA. They shared with me that because of the shutdown, they had to
stop referring survivors for individual counseling because of the lack
of resources.
Now, Illinois has some supplemental sources of domestic violence
funding, but many States rely almost completely on Federal funding.
Failure to maintain and protect these Federal funding streams literally
puts lives at risk.
Resources for domestic violence survivors and the organizations that
help them are already stretched too far and too thin. It is our fiscal
and moral responsibility to ensure that their funding is not
interrupted again.
Mr. Chairman, I urge all of my colleagues to support my amendment,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Underwood).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 36 offered by Mr. Casten of Illinois

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 36
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Mr. CASTEN of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the
desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 38, line 24, insert after ``centers'' the following:
``and appropriate campus faculty, such as academic advisors
or professionals who deal with students on a daily basis,''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentleman
from Illinois (Mr. Casten) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
Mr. CASTEN of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer amendment No. 36 to H.R. 1585, the
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.
My amendment would ensure that campus faculty are trained to
recognize victims of sexual and domestic violence. Specifically, this
legislation amends the bill to include ``appropriate campus faculty,
such as academic advisors or professionals who deal with students on a
daily basis'' for grant training programs to recognize and respond to
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. This
would include training health providers on how to provide universal
education to all members of the campus community on the impacts of
violence on health and unhealthy relationships and how providers can
support ongoing outreach efforts.
Now, going off to school can be a wonderful opportunity for our
children. But sexual and domestic violence on college campuses is
horrific and must be addressed. We know that of undergraduate students,
23.1 percent of females and 5.4 percent of males experience rape or
sexual assault during their time on campus.
But all too often, those students do not report to law enforcement.
Only 20 percent of female student victims report their experience. Some
don't report because they fear reprisal, others don't think it was
important enough, and some don't even believe that police could or
would do anything to help.
We cannot eradicate sexual violence on campus if we can't even reach
the students who are being impacted. We are failing them.
That is why this amendment to include campus faculty in training
programs to help them identify signs of

[[Page H3060]]

sexual and domestic violence is so necessary. If students feel that
they cannot report these crimes, then we must have knowledgeable and
trained faculty in place to provide help if it is needed.
Recently I went to a panel at Benedictine University in Illinois, and
I got to hear directly from campus faculty about this specific issue
and from students on the unique needs on college campuses. There are
really specific challenges, as Congresswoman Underwood was mentioning.
We have limited but flawed procedures in place for people who need
shelter when they are victims of domestic violence. That is really hard
on a college campus.
What do you do for someone when they are in a dorm room and everybody
knows where the dorms are on campus?
What do you do to change their schedule if there is only one section
of the class they need to take?
What can schools do when a survivor doesn't feel safe to go to class?
I was honored at the time to speak with Bernadette Muloski,
Benedictine's Violence Against Women Act Grant Coordinator. She pointed
out that when schools provide more information and resources for
reporting and speaking openly about these issues, then it often leads
to higher numbers of reports--not because violence is happening more
often, but because people finally feel safe to come forward.
Now, it is so important for the first person that a student confides
in to have an appropriate reaction, because that disclosure often has a
huge impact on the survivor's healing. It is also impactful on how the
student decides to move forward, either in reporting or seeking
additional assistance such as counseling and support.
So if the first person does not respond with empathy and gives an
indication that they don't care or maybe doesn't know what to do and
doesn't know where the resources are on campus, the student may never
tell another person or may struggle with that, and the perpetrator may
go on to commit more violence.
On college campuses students often develop mentor relationships with
faculty or staff beyond the health department that they are working
with, and it is more likely that a survivor will disclose their
experience to someone they know as opposed to a stranger. That is why
we have to get this right.
This amendment would provide the resources to train all of those
faculty who interact with students, and by providing resources to
schools so that they can individualize their response to sexual and
domestic violence, we will enable them to better meet the unique
challenges of those students. This is particularly true for underserved
communities. Coordinated, comprehensive responses allow college
communities to develop sustainable strategies to address these crimes.
For colleges and universities to curb sexual violence on campus, we
must create the safe, respectful, collegiate learning and teaching
environment that every student and employee deserves.
Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment which will
not only provide resources for college and university faculty, but also
the support that students need and deserve.
Mr. Chairman, I thank Representative Bass for authoring this bill,
and I thank all the tireless advocates who have worked to bring us to
this day.
Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, please
support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Casten).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 37 Offered by Ms. Porter

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 37
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Ms. PORTER. I have an amendment at the desk, Mr. Chairman.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 11, line 24, strike ``and''.
Page 15, line 12, strike the period at the end and insert
``; and''.
Page 15, insert after line 12 the following:
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Rule of Construction.--For purposes of this Act,
nothing may be construed to preclude the term `domestic
violence' from including economic abuse each place the term
`domestic violence' occurs unless doing so would trigger an
extension of effective date under section 703(f)(1)(B) of the
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019.''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentlewoman
from California (Ms. Porter) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
Ms. PORTER. Mr. Chairman, I am honored to be here today to introduce
my amendment to the Violence Against Women Act, which integrates the
term ``economic abuse'' throughout the legislation. I wrote this
amendment to ensure that this largely invisible abuse is recognized
federally, and victims are afforded all of the protections offered
under VAWA.
Over one-quarter of women and 11 percent of men have experienced
sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner
in their lifetimes. I am one of them.
I suffered domestic violence, and every year, millions suffer in
silence for many reasons, but one of the most prominent among those
reasons is economic necessity. According to a study conducted in 2012,
74 percent of survivors stayed with their abuser for financial reasons.
Financial abuse through consumer credit still has not been
appropriately recognized under the law. Using debt to exercise coercive
control is one of the most prevalent and nefarious forms of domestic
violence. In a Michigan State study, 99 percent of domestic violence
victims reported some form of economic abuse.
Economic abuse takes many forms, ranging from employment sabotage to
malicious attempts to restrict survivor's access to funds.
Threats of violence cause women to take time off from school or work
and interfere with their abilities to maintain employment or complete
their educations.
Abusers obstruct childcare and transportation options to disrupt job
and academic performance, stealing victim's keys, and leaving children
intentionally unattended. They cut off access to financial information
to keep their partner in a state of financial dependence and unable to
leave. They commit identity theft to run up credit card debt and ruin
their partner's credit scores, taking out loans in their partner's name
that the victim knows nothing about and cannot pay off.
In intimate partner relationships, on average, physical violence
victims lose 7 days of paid employment, rape victims lose 8, and
stalking victims lose 10 per year.

{time} 1930

For the rest of their lives, these survivors are less financially
secure because they endured an abusive relationship.
Abusers often take advantage of their heightened degree of financial
sophistication relative to their partner's. They don't tell their
partners about the assets the couple owns, and they force their
partners to sign quitclaim deeds and give up ownership in major assets
like homes without knowing it.
Coerced debt follows victims of domestic violence for the rest of
their lives, long after they have left the relationship. It is
particularly destructive in the weeks after these women leave, when
they try to rent an apartment or otherwise provide for themselves
financially.
Burdening a woman with economic obligations that she did not take on
as she is trying to escape an abusive relationship can be as crippling
to her long-term well-being as violence.
Credit repair is an almost impossible process. Expunging coerced debt
from a victim's credit report, even with extensive evidence of fraud,
is an intractable task, which is why I will be introducing legislation
to provide a way forward for women whose credit scores are ruined as a
result of domestic violence.
I endured an abusive relationship, and my three children and I were
able to move forward with our lives, staying in our community and in
our home. I had a good job; I had a strong credit history; and I was
extremely engaged with our family's financial decisions, which allowed
me to leave when I needed to.
However, without a substantial safety net, many women can't and don't

[[Page H3061]]

leave. When they do leave, almost 40 percent of survivors become
homeless. This is wholly unacceptable.
Until we address the full spectrum of abuse that survivors face, we
won't significantly reduce rates of domestic violence. And for so long
as domestic violence is a glaringly prevalent problem in our society,
we will not see gender equality.
Incorporating economic abuse into the definition of domestic violence
in this landmark Federal legislation is a huge step.
I am honored to have the opportunity to carry the voices of Orange
County families and survivors to the Halls of Congress.
I found help to let my family rebuild our lives. A police officer who
had been trained in DV because of VAWA helped create the amazing,
healthy children I have. I will count the passage of VAWA among my
proudest achievements.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Porter).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 38 Offered by Mr. Rose of New York

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 38
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Mr. ROSE of New York. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my
amendment to expand national domestic violence hotlines.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 171, insert after line 2 the following (and conform
the table of contents accordingly):

SEC. 1408. NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE.

Not later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this
Act, a national domestic violence hotline for which a grant
is provided under section 313 of the Family Violence
Prevention and Services Act shall include the voluntary
feature of texting via telephone to ensure all methods of
communication are available for victims and those seeking
assistance.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentleman
from New York (Mr. Rose) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
Mr. ROSE of New York. Mr. Chairman, when you consider hotlines today,
we have to think about the fact that text messages are absolutely
important, and they are also, all too often, ignored.
We need to evolve. We need to fix the new problems of today as well
as the problems of the future.
As a subcommittee chairman of the Homeland Security Committee and as
one of the younger Members of this body, I understand that the advent
of social networks and technology has, in many ways, helped us track
and identify bad actors. But as we have heard from survivors of
domestic violence, it also allows abuse, coercion, stalking, and
intimidation in more ways than ever before.
Survivors need the necessary tools to keep themselves safe. When a
woman is being constantly monitored by her abuser, is unable to hide,
and finds herself trapped, a phone call could put her life in even more
danger.
This is why I implore my colleagues to support this amendment,
because we are talking life and death here. This is not only a matter
of believing survivors--though, to be clear, we absolutely must. This
is about making sure that we empower survivors with the resources they
need in the 21st century, no matter what age they are.
It breaks my heart to know that those hiding from their abusers could
be a young college student or even a teenager in high school. A recent
study on intimate partner violence found that 1 in 10 high school
students have experienced physical violence from dating a partner in a
given year. Nearly one in three women in college have said they have
been in an abusive dating relationship.
If these statistics do not highlight the need for Congress to provide
as much relief as we possibly can, I don't know what does.
Making sure women in crisis can quickly and easily get help by
texting the crisis hotline should be a no-brainer. The technology
exists, and it has been proven to be effective by other organizations
helping those in need. This isn't rocket science.
If we apply modern-day technology to combat dating violence and
sexual assault, we can keep survivors and their families safe while
holding the perpetrators accountable.
It is our job to make sure that our federally funded hotlines can
serve in the most effective way. We need to get this done because, at
the end of the day, this amendment will save lives.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Rose).
The amendment was agreed to.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chair, I move that the Committee do now rise.
The motion was agreed to.
Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr.
Malinowski) having assumed the chair, Mr. Rose of New York, Acting
Chair of the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union,
reported that that Committee, having had under consideration the bill
(H.R. 1585) to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, and
for other purposes, had come to no resolution thereon.

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