Washington, DC:

Congressman Pete Gallego today voted to strengthen the protections for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in voting for the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) S. 47. Congressman Gallego is a co-sponsor of similar legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, H.R. 11.   “Congress got something right today,” said Congressman Pete Gallego. “I was proud to vote for the Violence Against Women Act – which was inexcusably stalled by the previous Congress.   Since VAWA was passed in 1994, the U.S. has seen a 60% decline in domestic violence. Sexual and domestic violence is wrong. It should never be tolerated - nor should we tolerate the actions of those who use politics as a shield to protect abusers and thereby endanger the safety of our mothers, daughters, sons, or families. VAWA is a law that we should continue to strengthen- not weaken. Today’s vote is a step forward for our country.”   Congressman Gallego had signed on to a letter asking House leadership to bring up the Senate version of VAWA.  Since 1994, VAWA has given domestic violence service providers, law enforcement, and federal, state and local government the tools necessary to assist and help protect countless victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking. Earlier this month, the Senate passed S. 47 by a margin of 78-22 strong bipartisan support from. The measure includes language to ensure the availability of services to all victims of domestic and dating violence.  S. 47 also includes authorizations for programs preventing human trafficking, sexual assault on college campuses, as well as additional resources to address arape kit backlogs.