[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 151]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 REAUTHORIZE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT

  (Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the 113th Congress 
will not only need to work to further strengthen our country's economic 
well-being; we will also need to find solutions to make sure that all 
Americans are treated fairly and equally. That's why it is critical 
that Congress pass the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization.
  Since its inception, this act has always been bipartisan. Last April, 
the Senate passed a strong bipartisan reauthorization bill. 
Unfortunately, the measure failed in the House, but it must pass in the 
113th Congress. The safety and security of American women should never 
be politicized and never has been so in the past.
  It is my hope that we can put the politics of the last election aside 
and get down to the business of legislating sensible policy for the 
American people. We must reaffirm our commitment that women in the 
United States are offered all necessary legal protections.

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