Washington, D.C. – This afternoon, Representative Kevin Yoder (R-KS) wrote a bipartisan letter to President Donald Trump in support of Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Grants at the Department of Justice and reports the Administration might have plans to eliminate the grants in the upcoming budget debate. Representative Yoder issued the following statement:
“Each and every day, thousands of women take refuge in domestic abuse shelters and countless lives are saved thanks to the Violence Against Women Act. Cutting VAWA grants would mean we are failing to protect some of the most vulnerable women, children, and families in our country. We feel strongly that Congress and the Trump Administration must ensure the policies and procedures in place at the federal level must remain intact so we can meet their needs.”
In 2013, Yoder voted for the most recent reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which was originally signed into law in 1994. He also voted for reauthorization legislation in 2012 that stalled in the Senate. Today’s letter was signed by Representatives Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH), and Jackie Walorski (R-IN).
The text of the letter is reproduced below and can be viewed online here.
###
February 21, 2017
President Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500
President Trump,
We write this letter to express our deep concern about reports which indicate that your administration may be preparing to eliminate Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Grants at the Department of Justice. This essential program was created after decades of growing unease over the rising violent crime rate against women and has served to protect some of the most vulnerable women and families in our country. Unfortunately, domestic and sexual violence continues to occur at an alarming rate and we feel strongly that Congress must protect the policies and procedures we have put in place at the federal level to respond to the needs of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking and sex trafficking.
As you know, VAWA was last authorized during the 113th Congress in a convincingly bipartisan manner. Countless lives have been saved by this law which was first authorized in 1994and improved in the years since. Present day programs defend victims of human trafficking and domestic violence who may not have any other alternative resources. In addition, Congress imposed new accountability provisions including audit requirements on all grantees and comprehensive reporting requirements to ensure we are focusing on areas of greatest need.
According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence’s most recent national census, on a single average day as many as 71,828 victims are served with 40,302 finding refuge in our nation’s domestic refuge shelters. Further, thousands of requests for service are unfulfilled each day as a result of lack of government funding and staffing reductions.
We look forward to your FY 2018 budget request and stand ready to assist your administration in prioritizing federal spending decisions that impact investments in communities across the nation. As the budget process continues, we intend to support essential programs that are working to change public attitudes about domestic violence and make a difference in the lives of women, children and families in every state.
Thanks for your attention.
Sincerely,
Congressman Kevin Yoder (KS-3)
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (MO-5)
Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (IN-2)
Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster (NH-2)
Cc: Mick Mulvaney