Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Tomorrow, March 17, 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives will consider H.R.1620, the bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) of 2021. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security along with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), introduced the legislation which authorizes funding for a variety of critical grant programs, including for victim services, prevention, training, education, enforcement, economic stability, and other programs that support survivors and help them to heal and to access justice. 

VAWA’s authorization expired in 2018. Last Congress, the House passed a bipartisan reauthorization, but the Senate failed to take it up. It has now been eight years since VAWA was last authorized. The landmark legislation, enacted in 1994 under the leadership of then Senate Judiciary Chair Joe Biden, responds to our nation’s crisis of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.  

Here is What They are Saying about the bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) of 2021:

President Joe Biden: “I applaud the House of Representatives for introducing today the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA), and I urge Congress to come together in a bipartisan manner to ensure swift passage of VAWA legislation in both the House and the Senate. Strengthening and renewing VAWA is long past due.  Delay is not an option, especially when the pandemic and economic crisis have only further increased the risks of abuse and the barriers to safety for women in the United States. Domestic violence is being called a pandemic within the COVID-19 pandemic, with growing evidence showing that the conditions of the pandemic have resulted in escalated rates of intimate partner violence, and in some cases more severe injuries…In 2019, a bipartisan coalition in the House of Representatives passed the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, which included significant improvements and increased pathways to safety that were proposed by advocates, survivors, lawyers, experts, prosecutors, and law enforcement who are in the trenches protecting and supporting survivors. Every single Senate Democrat signed on to the Senate version of the House-passed bill, but Republican Senate leadership refused to bring VAWA to the floor for a vote. This should not be a Democratic or Republican issue – it’s a matter of justice and compassion. I am grateful to see the House of Representatives champion ending gender-based violence, and I urge Congress to follow past precedent and bring a strong bipartisan coalition together for swift passage of VAWA.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: “Today, our nation takes a great step forward to advance justice, safety and dignity for American women, as the House re-introduces a landmark and transformative Violence Against Women Act.  We are particularly proud to do so under the leadership in the White House of President Joe Biden: a staunch champion of this law and of strong action to ensure that every woman can live free from the fear of violence in her life. Democrats’ VAWA reauthorization builds upon the progress forged over the two-and-a-half decades since this legislation was first passed.  This robust and bipartisan long-term reauthorization strengthens and expands essential protections for the most vulnerable, including immigrant, LGBTQ and Native American women.  Among its many life-saving provisions, it strengthens services for victims and survivors, empowers law enforcement to protect their communities, helps stop abusers and stalkers from obtaining firearms and expands protections for victims’ and survivors’ financial security. This legislation is particularly needed as the coronavirus crisis forces millions of Americans to quarantine, including, too often, in homes that are unsafe for them and their families.  House Democrats will move swiftly to pass this legislation and to send it to the Senate and then to the President’s desk – so that we can uphold the right of every woman, everywhere to live free from abuse.”

Ruth M. Glenn, President and CEO of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: “As a survivor myself, I know how important VAWA-funded programs are. VAWA transformed our nation’s response to domestic violence; it is no exaggeration to say that VAWA saves lives. However, much more must be done. The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 makes critical, focused updates to current law to disarm domestic abusers and to make sure survivors have access to safety and justice.”

Carol Moody, President and CEO of Legal Momentum: "The introduction of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 is a crucial, overdue, and positive step towards better protecting all survivors of gender-based violence. Each reauthorization of VAWA provides an opportunity to improve our response and meet the real and current needs of victims and survivors. As one of the early advocates for VAWA, we are proud that the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 includes critical enhancements and investments to serve the needs of all survivors and impacted communities."

Catherine Beane, Vice President of Public Policy & Advocacy, YWCA USA: “At a time when the onset and prolonged duration of the COVID-19 pandemic have created a shadow pandemic of violence against women and girls, reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act is more crucial than ever. As the largest network of domestic and sexual violence service providers, YWCA sees first-hand the toll of gender-based violence on women and marginalized communities, and the need for improved responses that address the realities they face. This bill strengthens protections and helps more survivors access resources they need to be safe, including in the areas of housing, economic security assistance, and improved healthcare system response that are so vital as our nation struggles through the COVID-19 crisis. Moreover, this bill invests in prevention, targets resources to reach underserved communities of color, and closes legal loopholes that leave too many women vulnerable to violence. Survivors cannot wait any longer for VAWA to be reauthorized. We urge Congress to pass this legislation without delay.”

The Women’s Legal Defense and Education Fund: “Legal Momentum is proud to have been closely involved in developing the landmark bipartisan legislation that became the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994. Our organization played a critical role in drafting and advocating for VAWA’s passage, beginning this effort with then-Senator Joe Biden in 1990. We have since worked in coalition with the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence to see enhanced services and protections included in each reauthorization of VAWA, each of which had bipartisan support. Legal Momentum is grateful to you for your dedication to reauthorizing VAWA in a way that responds to the needs of all those affected by gender-based violence. The updates to the existing Violence Against Women Act that are included in your bill reflect the real needs of victims and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In particular, we are pleased that this reauthorization of VAWA meets the needs of communities of color. We applaud your commitment to pass a bipartisan reauthorization of this critical legislation. We support introducing the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 and hope that your colleagues across the political spectrum will recognize the importance of these enhancements and join in supporting it.”

National Alliance to End Sexual Violence: “On behalf of the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV) representing 56 state and territorial sexual assault coalitions and more than 1500 local rape crisis centers, I am writing to convey our wholehearted support for the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2021 reauthorizing and improving the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and our gratitude for your willingness to move forward to ensure we renew VAWA as swiftly as possible.”

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: “The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) applauds you for introducing the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is one of the three pillars of the Federal response to domestic violence. First passed in 1994 under the leadership of then-Senator Biden, VAWA has been reauthorized three times since then, most recently in 2013. VAWA’s authorization lapsed in 2018….We thank you, again, for your leadership, and we urge the House to pass the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 as a matter of upmost urgency.”

National Council of Jewish Women: “I am writing on behalf of the 180,000 National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) advocate across the United States in support of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 (VAWA Reauthorization). We are grateful for your leadership and effort to fulfil the promise of the landmark Violence Against Women Act of 1994, which NCJW helped to draft and pass along with its subsequent reauthorizations. …For 127 years, NCJW advocates have been committed to ensuring everyone lives free from coercion, violence, and exploitation. We are pleased to work with you to end the scourge of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking through passage of VAWA Reauthorization. Survivors deserve nothing less.”

The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community, also known as Ujima: “The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community (Ujima, Inc.) is pleased to support H.R.1620, the bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021. Ujima, Inc. is a national Culturally Specific Services Issue Resource Center that mobilizes the Black community and allies through its education and outreach; training and technical assistance; resource development; research; and public policy efforts. We work with local, state, and national partners to promote strategies to improve responses to Black survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and community violence. We appreciated the opportunity to give voice to the needs of Black survivors during the collaborative process of H.R. 1585 and we are encouraged to see the enhancements in H.R. 1620 as COVID-19, racial justice movements, and economic strife have presented complex challenges for those we serve since the passage of H.R. 1585 in 2019.”

Friends Committee on National Legislation: “The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) addresses violence and sexual assault by providing the resources and services necessary for public safety. This bill is especially significant for Native American communities, which deal with domestic and sexual violence at unparalleled rates…In the last Congress, the House passed a strong VAWA reauthorization bill (H.R. 1585) that expands tribal jurisdiction to include sexual assault, sex trafficking, stalking, assault on law enforcement officers, and child abuse, in addition to domestic violence. Unfortunately, the Senate failed to act to reauthorize VAWA in the last Congress. Congress needs to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act quickly. We urge you to support the reintroduction VAWA with at least the same tribal jurisdiction provisions that were included in HR. 1585.”

National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence: “The National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF) applauds House Judiciary Crime Subcommittee Chairwoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18) and Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1) for introducing H.R.1620, the bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021. H.R.1620 is a slightly updated reintroduction of last session’s Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, which passed the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support.”

National Organization of Women: “NOW salutes Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) for introducing the bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021(VAWA), which will fund critical programs that support survivors…Women’s lives are at stake.  Every day that this legislation is not enacted puts more women at risk.  Prioritize survivors and pass H.R. 1620, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 now.”

YWCA USA: “On behalf of YWCA USA, a network of over 200 local associations in 45 states and the District of Columbia, I write today to urge you to pass the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) of 2021 (H.R. 1620). As identified in YWCA’s Legislative Priorities for the 117th Congress, YWCA is committed to the swift passage of VAWA in the first 100 days of the new legislative session. We urge you to vote yes and support strengthening services for survivors and their children.”

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence: “On behalf of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, which has worked since 1993 to strengthen and transform efforts to end domestic violence, I am writing to express our support for the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 2021 and our gratitude for your leadership in ensuring that survivors are able to access lifesaving programs and services…We look forward to continuing to work with you and your colleagues in Congress to ensure bipartisan support for VAWA 2021 and to pass legislation that will provide needed services and supports to survivors and their families and communities.”

National Latin@ Network for Healthy Families and Communities: “During this time in which we are experiencing the dual crises of the Coronavirus and increased gender-based violence, we are reminded of the fragility of life. It is not now or ever acceptable to merely maintain the status quo, let alone undermine current protections and reduce access to safety and justice for victims and survivors, particularly those from vulnerable communities which also have been more deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. That is why we at Casa de Esperanza, the National Latin@ Network are heartened by the 2021 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act and particularly, H.R. 1620 as it increases critically important funding for culturally-specific service providers. This enhancement, among others in the bill, will help all survivors access life-saving intervention and prevention services.”

National Network to End Domestic Violence: “Our nation is in the midst of multiple, intersecting crises that exacerbate disparities and endanger survivors of domestic violence. To make real strides in reducing gender-based violence during this challenging time, the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) must invest in strategies that advance access to safety, justice, and economic stability for survivors while reducing reliance on and reforming systems that are not helping all survivors. VAWA’s policies and resources must respond to the specific needs of historically marginalized survivors, especially survivors of color. The bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 moves boldly in this direction and NNEDV is proud to support it.”

Jewish Women International: “The introduction of the bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 firmly places ending gender-based violence as a national priority. JWI supports the vital improvements this bill makes to the 2013 VAWA by addressing gaps identified by victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Specifically, we applaud the House for taking the critical step of closing the boyfriend loophole, which will ensure that abusers convicted of dating violence and stalking cannot own a gun. As an organization working to ensure the safety of survivors of all faiths and no faith, we urge the House and Senate to pass this bill swiftly and provide survivors much needed support and assistance.”  

Esta Soler, President and Founder, Futures Without Violence: “The Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization of 2021 makes a deep an important investment in prevention. We were particularly thrilled to see the increase in authorized funding for the Saving Money and Reducing Tragedies (SMART) through Prevention program, a legacy of Congressman John Lewis who worked to create that program during the last reauthorization of VAWA. It is a fitting tribute to a man who, among so many accomplishments, worked so hard to reduce violence and invest in young people. We can’t wait to see this bill passed and get to work preventing violence.”

Lisalyn R. Jacobs, CEO of Just Solutions: "This Violence Against Women Act reauthorization makes tremendous strides in responding to survivors' economic challenges. It adds a definition of economic abuse to make visible the coercion that survivors too frequently contend with. It also ensures that survivors of domestic and sexual violence, harassment and stalking who need to leave their jobs because of abuse can show that they had a good justification for quitting. Additionally, the bill addresses the needs of incarcerated and reentering survivors for the first time, and also includes, "Restorative Practice," provisions to begin to provide survivor-centered responses for those who may seek non-carceral approaches to accountability and healing."