Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I am a proud sponsor of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019. Violence against women is one of our country's greatest shames. For over 20 years, VAWA has provided critical protections for survivors of violence, while also helping them rebuild their lives. VAWA grants help survivors to access vital resources such as legal assistance, safe housing, and counseling. VAWA also facilitates important partnerships between advocates, law enforcement, and the courts, which further helps survivors in times of crisis and reduces future violence. In 2018 alone, because of VAWA grants, the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence served over 8,500 individual victims of domestic violence, assisted over 2,900 victims in obtaining a restraining order, and answered over 13,000 crisis line calls. H.R. 1585 improves upon VAWA by prohibiting persons convicted of dating violence or misdemeanor stalking from possessing firearms. And let's be honest. This is the principal objection of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, because the powerful gun lobby is scoring this bill because of that provision. This bill protects employees from being fired because they are survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence and ensures survivors' eligibility to receive unemployment insurance. {time} 1445 Survivors of violence and their families cannot wait any longer as VAWA continues to stay lapsed. Mr.…”