Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I am pleased to offer this amendment to the Violence Against Women Act along with my colleagues, Representatives Lauren Underwood and also Representative Donna Shalala. This amendment would help increase the number of healthcare professionals who are able to assist children exposed to violence and also ensures that trauma and behavioral healthcare specialists are included in efforts to address domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and childhood exposure to violence. The long-term effects of childhood exposure to adverse experiences, which include domestic and sexual violence that go unaddressed, are chilling. Children exposed to violence, when they become adults, are more likely to have addictive behaviors, to drop out of school, and to be violent themselves. The effects of these adverse experiences can be mitigated through counseling and other intervention services, which is why my amendment would require funding authorized under this section to be used to increase the number of social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, trauma specialists, and others who are trained in counseling children exposed to violence. As a pediatrician, I know firsthand that if we treat adverse childhood experiences early, we can mitigate the costly long-term effects that occur later in life. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Underwood).”