Blake Moore: “I want to thank the ladies who are submitting their statements for the Record. The Members who join me today are just a…”

“I want to thank the ladies who are submitting their statements for the Record. The Members who join me today are just a few of the many people who would like to be here to offer their suggestions for improving the bill and to highlight the stories of women, men, and children in their district and communities who have experienced atrocious violence. There are lessons to be learned from their stories, and it is unwise and unkind of us to turn a blind eye. I'm thinking of Rosalind in Milwaukee, who was killed by her girlfriend, Malika, and her family had concerns about her over- possessiveness. But, of course, this is an LGBT relationship, and an order for protection may have been ignored without these provisions. I think of another person in my district, Diane's story, 26 years old, married to a non-Indian, beaten. Over a hundred incidences-- slapped, kicked, punched, and living in terror. She called for help several times but no one ever came to her rescue. She was living on a tribal land. The Violence Against Women Act has been a lifeline for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. It has allowed us to hold perpetrators accountable and to pave pathways out of violence for victims--all women. And since VAWA passed in 1994, domestic violence has dropped by more than half. We must not turn back, Mr. Speaker. We must not weaken or repeal some of VAWA's lifesaving protections. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining? The SPEAKER pro tempore.…”