Congressman Cleaver Votes To Pass Bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act

(Washington, D.C.) – Yesterday, United States Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) joined over 240 lawmakers in the House of Representatives to pass H.R. 1620, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021, also known as VAWA. This bipartisan legislation would reauthorize and update VAWA to ensure safety, justice, and dignity for America's women.

"Every woman in America deserves to live their life free from threats of violence," said Congressman Cleaver. "There should be nothing more bipartisan than standing with the women of this nation to denounce and take strong action to prevent domestic violence and sexual assault. That's exactly what this legislation would do, and it's why I was proud to support it today. I would encourage my Senate colleagues to do the same."

H.R. 1620 would build upon the progress made since the original VAWA was signed into law over two decades ago. Since that time, the rate of domestic violence in the United States has fallen by more than 60 percent. However, as 1 in 3 women still experience domestic violence, which has been exacerbated further by the coronavirus pandemic, more safeguards are needed to protect women from violence.

The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 would improve upon the current law by:

• Strengthening critical protections for women who are most vulnerable to violence, including immigrant, LGBTQ and Native American women;
• Making substantive investments in sexual assault and domestic violence prevention;
• Improving the health care system and criminal justice response to gender-based and domestic violence;
• Revamping services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking;
• Helping to prevent abusers and stalkers from obtaining firearms; and
• Expanding protections for survivors' financial security, including housing protections and anti-discrimination protections in the workplace.

"We have made a lot of progress in combating violence against women since the original VAWA was passed in 1994. However, we cannot become complacent when it comes to the safety of our mothers, sisters, and daughters," said Congressman Cleaver. "We must continue to build upon the programs that have been so successful in cutting down on violent crime against women. That's what I will continue to advocate for as this pivotal legislation moves to the U.S. Senate."

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Security, International Development, and Monetary Policy; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Matt Helfant at 202-590-0175 or matthew.helfant@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.