House Passes Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization
February 28, 2013
Hanna delivers remarks on House Floor in support of bill
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna today voted in support of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA), which passed the House by a vote of 286-138.
Rep. Hanna on Wednesday delivered remarks on the House Floor in support of the U.S. Senate's version of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. He has been an outspoken advocate for the reauthorization of VAWA.
Earlier this month, Rep. Hanna and 17 Republican colleagues sent a letter to Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor urging that the House of Representatives swiftly reapprove the law, which was first signed into law in 1994 and subsequently reauthorized in 2000 and 2005.
The legislation is a vital resource for communities and organizations that help victims of sexual abuse and violence. During the 112th Congress, both the House of Representatives and Senate passed their own versions of VAWA but no final legislation was presented for a vote in either chamber. Rep. Hanna consistently said that this legislation should be advanced quickly to ensure the programs that rely upon VAWA will not be put in jeopardy.
Rep. Hanna wrote this opinion-editorial in December for The Syracuse Post-Standard where he called for the House to vote during the lame-duck session.
To watch Rep. Hanna's remarks from Wednesday, please click on the video:
As prepared for delivery:
MR. HANNA: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today in support of the rule which provides for consideration of S. 47, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013.
Mr. Speaker, the Violence Against Women Act has been successful.
We have seen the benefits: it has saved lives and helped millions of victims find safety, security and self-sufficiency.
And while there are deeply held differences about some policies in the bill we consider today, now it's time to reauthorize VAWA.
If a daughter, sister or perfect stranger was raped, battered or needed help, no one would ask or care what her ethnicity, national origin or sexual orientation was before we came to her aid. Nor should the Violence Against Women Act.
No community, and no person, should be neglected when it comes to domestic violence.
As the father of a young daughter, Grace Catherine, I don't know or care what her orientation is and neither should Congress. I simply know that she should be equally protected under its laws.
We have an opportunity now to finally pass a bipartisan, inclusive Violence Against Women Act that service providers, law enforcement and most importantly – all victims – deserve.
I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying bill.
I yield back the balance of my time.
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