**Watch Fletcher Speak on Critical Need for VAWA Reauthorization HERE**

Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) voted in support of H.R. 1620, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021.  The legislation reauthorizes the landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which protects people from violence and abuse and helps ensure survivors of domestic violence have access to essential services and to justice.  VAWA expired in 2018.  Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher is an original co-sponsor of H.R. 1620, which passed the House of Representatives today, 244-172. 

“The Violence Against Women Act provides essential support for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, and its reauthorization now is vitally important for our community and communities across the country,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “As an original co-sponsor of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, I am glad to see it pass the House today.” 

VAWA created the Office on Violence Against Women at the Department of Justice in 1994.  In the nearly 25 years before its expiration, VAWA funded more than $8 billion in grants to support services for survivors, prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault, investigation and prosecution of abusers, and education programs. 

H.R. 1620 reauthorizes VAWA and makes vital improvements to address gaps based on extensive consultation with victim service providers, law enforcement, and other experts.  Improvements in this bill include: improving access to housing for survivors, protecting victims of dating violence from firearm homicide, helping survivors gain economic independence, and ending impunity for non-Native perpetrators of sexual assault, stalking, and sex trafficking on tribal lands. 

Below are Congresswoman Fletcher’s remarks on the House floor highlighting the critical need for this legislation in Houston and communities across the country: 

Thank you, Madam Speaker.  I rise today in support of H.R. 1620, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. 

And I want to thank my colleague from Houston, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, for her leadership and tireless efforts to get this critical legislation to this House floor. 

 The Violence Against Women Act provides essential support for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. 

And its reauthorization now is vitally important, as many of my colleagues have shared.

It is critical for organizations in my community that support survivors, like the Houston Area Women’s Center, which has reported a “dramatic rise” in requests for their services through the coronavirus pandemic—more than 6,000 more calls responded to in 2020 alone.   

 In 2020, the number of people the center sheltered tripled. 

Sadly, we have been reminded again today of the dangers that women face in our society.

The Violence Against Women Act provides resources and services that are life-saving. 

That’s why I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation, and to vote in support of it today.  I urge my colleagues to do the same.  

Thank you.