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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E408-E409]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2019
______
speech of
HON. ANN WAGNER
of missouri
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of
the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1585) to
reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, and for
other purposes:
Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Chair, I rise today to speak about the
reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, or VAWA.
For the last several decades VAWA has been a positive force in our
nation for the protection of some of our most vulnerable populations.
Providing grants to domestic violence organizations, increasing access
to housing for survivors, supporting law enforcement, addressing the
scourge of sex trafficking, and reducing the rape kit backlog--these
are just some of the ways VAWA has helped victims of violence in our
communities.
While this should be a bipartisan effort to reauthorize VAWA, the new
Democratic majority here in the House has decided to insert provisions
into the legislation that advance a political agenda at the expense of
sexual assault and domestic violence survivors.
Because of the importance of reauthorizing VAWA and protecting
vulnerable women across the nation, I will still be supporting final
passage of the Democrat-authored bill. The National Intimate Partner
and Sexual Violence Survey has found that over 43 percent of women
experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. Sexual and
domestic violence are pervasive problems and reauthorizing VAWA is
critical to the fight against these crimes.
However, I wanted to take a minute to highlight some of the
provisions included in this legislation that I remain firmly opposed
to, and would vote against if given the opportunity.
Fourth Amendment due process rights and the protection of our Second
Amendment rights are inherent rights that should not be infringed upon
lightly. Ensuring that due process rights are protected prior to
removal of fundamental constitutional rights should not be up for
debate.
The majority, however, has done just that in their version of VAWA
before us today.
[[Page E409]]
We agree that victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking,
and other types of violent behavior should have protections under the
law from their abusers and stalkers. Many states have enacted measures
to codify limitations on firearm possession following judicial action
as it relates to domestic violence and stalking, oftentimes called red
flag provisions. Let me be clear, I support such red flag provisions
when the accused has the protections of due process and judicial
action. But this is an effort that is best handled at the state, not
federal, level.
Congress must address violence against women and girls. Restricting
constitutional due process and Second Amendment protections, however,
is not the right way to legislate.
While I plan to vote for the underlying bill before us today, I must
reiterate my strong opposition to these provisions. It is my hope that
the House majority's partisan provisions--including the firearm
possession provisions and other sections that may compromise the safety
of women's prisons and shelters--will eventually be removed during
conference committee with the Senate and I can cast my vote for a final
version that protects women and girls and maintains protections for our
Fourth and Second Amendment rights.
____________________