[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 20 (Monday, May 22, 2000)]
[Page 1112]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Supreme Court Decision Striking Down a Provision of the 
Violence Against Women Act

May 15, 2000

    I am deeply disappointed by the Supreme Court's decision today in 
United States v. Morrison. In this case, the Court struck down the civil 
remedy provision contained in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). In 
1994, as part of comprehensive crime control legislation, I signed into 
law the Violence Against Women Act. This historic, important piece of 
Federal legislation contains a broad array of groundbreaking laws to 
combat violence against women. VAWA passed Congress with bipartisan 
support.
     The Supreme Court's decision today does not affect the viability of 
VAWA as a whole. It does not affect any of the VAWA grant programs nor 
does it affect Federal criminal provisions that punish interstate 
domestic violence and stalking crimes. The Supreme Court did, however, 
invalidate one important provision of the Violence Against Women Act 
that gave victims of gender-motivated violence the ability to sue their 
attackers for lost earnings, medical expenses, and other damages. 
Because I continue to believe that there should be remedies for victims 
of gender-motivated violence, we plan to study the Supreme Court's 
decision in Morrison to determine the best means to help these victims.
    VAWA has provided funds to communities across the Nation to address 
the tragedy of violence against women. These funds have made a crucial 
difference in women's lives. Unfortunately, VAWA funding is only 
authorized until the end of fiscal year 2000. I have made the 
reauthorization and strengthening of VAWA a top legislative goal for 
this year. If we work together, we can enact a bill that will keep women 
in this country safe from violence.