Political Quotes

“Madam President, it is hard to believe we are having this debate about protecting women from violence in 2012, but we are. But then again, we have spent much of this year fighting attempts to limit women's access to contraception and preventive healthcare; we have seen a woman called names for fighting for women's health. Here we are again on the floor because the women of the Senate are not going to stop standing up and speaking out to protect the health and lives of women in our country. Let's be clear: The Violence Against Women Act has always been bipartisan. It has always had overwhelming support. And I would know. In 1990, then-Senator Joe Biden came to me and asked me to be the House author of his bill, the Violence Against Women Act. At that time, violence against women was a silent epidemic and I was so grateful that he asked me to help bring this issue out of the shadows. It was a slow but steady path to victory, and by the time it passed as part of the 1994 crime bill, I was a member of the Senate, proudly working by Senator Biden's side to get the votes we needed. It was one of my most memorable moments in the Senate. We finally had a law to help local law enforcement and the legal system combat violence against women and provide essential services for women struggling to rebuild their lives. The results have been breathtaking.…”