Political Quotes

“I thank the gentlelady. Members of the House, I was here in 1994 when the Violence Against Women Act was introduced to provide critical lifesaving assistance for women, children and men. This law has been the centerpiece of our government's commitment to combating domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault. The results have been striking: In the nearly two decades since the landmark legislation was passed, the rate of intimate partner violence against women has dropped by nearly two-thirds. On two occasions since its enactment, Members of both bodies have worked on a bipartisan basis to extend the Violence Against Women Act's protections and to make necessary improvements. Unfortunately, in the last Congress, we weren't able to agree on a bill, and the authorization was allowed to lapse. This month, the Senate took the unique opportunity to pass strong bipartisan legislation by a vote of 78-22--with all of the women in the Senate. It incorporates years of analysis of the problem and the solutions proposed by law enforcement and victim service providers. In my judgment, it is much stronger. I urge my colleagues to join with me, the 78 Senators, the President, and the more than 1,300 organizations in supporting S. 47, the Violence Against Women Act. I reserve the balance of my time. National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women, February 22, 2013.…”