Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer an amendment to H.R. 1585, the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. This amendment modestly modifies the bill to ensure that the materials distributed to victims and survivors are available in commonly encountered languages. There are approximately 26 million Americans whose primary language is not English. One in five American families speak another language at home. In my home State of New York, that number is one in three. Languages spoken throughout the country include Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and French, just to name a few. H.R. 1585 provides that the Secretary of Labor may disseminate information on the resources and rights available to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. It is important that all survivors and all victims, regardless of the language they primarily speak or read, have access to such critical information. This amendment will not adversely impact Federal spending. In fact, several agencies, including the Department of Labor, have similar obligations to provide materials and notices in commonly encountered languages, and guidance and resources are available on how to do so consistent with existing provisions in other areas of law. Let me also briefly express my support for this important and significant legislation.…”