Janice Hahn: “Today the House will consider a bill entitled the ``Violence Against Women Act.'' This bill, however, does very little…”

“Today the House will consider a bill entitled the ``Violence Against Women Act.'' This bill, however, does very little to stop violence or protect women. Instead of continuing the tradition of coming together in a bi- partisan manner to pass this important reauthorization and achieve something we all should be able to agree on, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have turned the Violence Against Women Act into a partisan messaging platform. VAWA should protect every victim from their abuser, regardless of their immigration status. Instead, this bill endangers immigrants by punishing victims who cooperate with law enforcement. VAWA should protect every victim, regardless of their sexual orientation or the gender of their abuser. Instead, this bill endangers LGBTQ victims by including ``gender-neutral'' language that ignores the reality that people are being underserved because of their sexual orientation. VAWA should protect every victim, regardless of their Tribal affiliation. Instead, this bill endangers Native victims who are abused by non-Native Americans and leaves tribal courts without proper authority to protect victims and create safe communities. Because the so-called ``Violence Against Women Act'' does none of these things, I stand in firm opposition to this bill.”