Lynn N. Rivers: “the House has done its job, we passed the Violence Against Women Act by a vote of 415-3. Nevertheless, the authorization…”

“the House has done its job, we passed the Violence Against Women Act by a vote of 415-3. Nevertheless, the authorization ran out on September 30, 2000. This critical bill is supported by police officers, judges, prosecutors, governors, State attorneys general, social workers, men and women and children's advocates around the Nation. It deserves immediate attention from the other body. The Violence Against Women Act was originally passed in 1994 and authorized over a billion dollars for law enforcement grants, judicial training, shelters, a national hotline, child abuse and prevention programs. Thousands of victims from every State, race, and socioeconomic level have relied on these services for protection from violence. VAWA has saved lives and helped rebuild even more, and it has served to break the cycle of violence in so many families, by preventing children from perpetuating the violence they witness. With the authorization already expired, I respectfully urge the other body to pass this important legislation.”