Erik Paulsen: “I urge my colleagues to act to reauthorize and extend the Violence Against Women Act. Enacted back in 1994, the Violence…”

“I urge my colleagues to act to reauthorize and extend the Violence Against Women Act. Enacted back in 1994, the Violence Against Women Act has provided invaluable support and resources to women impacted by domestic violence across Minnesota and across our country. It has funded hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to groups like the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and Cornerstone Advocacy Services, which provides counseling and therapy services to victims. The Violence Against Women Act, Mr. Speaker, is critical to preventing domestic violence and sexual assault and helping victims get the treatment and justice they deserve. I have authored a provision that has been included in past reauthorizations. For decades the Violence Against Women Act has been reauthorized with strong bipartisan support, but it expires at the end of this month, and I urge my colleagues in joining me in calling for its extension, because victims of domestic violence are counting on it. ____________________”