Russ Feingold: “I rise today to call for Senate action on reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Earlier this week, the…”

“I rise today to call for Senate action on reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Earlier this week, the Supreme Court in its decision in United States versus Morrison struck a specific provision from the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. But that decision leaves intact the bulk of this landmark law. For the past five years, VAWA has funded and promoted significant innovations in federal, state and local programs to assist victims of violence, enhance prosecution of domestic violence and sexual assault crimes, and prevent violence against women and children in their homes and on our streets. This support has enabled shelters, rape crisis centers, health care professionals, schools, police forces and communities across the country to address and prevent violence against women. I commend my distinguished colleague from Delaware, Senator Biden, for his authorship of the original Violence Against Women Act and for his commitment to ensuring that this important legislation is re-authorized. Women across the nation, including in my home state of Wisconsin, have benefitted from this important legislation. Women's lives have been saved. Countless victims of domestic violence or sexual assault are receiving the services they need. Police are participating in training programs to arrest and bring abusers to justice. Both men and women are learning about the problem of domestic violence and sexual assault.”