Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) made the following statement after voting against H.R. 1585, the reauthorization and expansion of the Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA).

“The Violence Against Women’s Act was originally enacted to strengthen law enforcement’s ability to help women who have suffered from domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, while enhancing efforts to prevent future violence. In the past this legislation was a bipartisan effort to address the needs of women and fight back against a culture of violence.”

“Unfortunately, this reauthorization no longer focuses on women suffering from violence. VAWA has become a partisan bill hijacked by liberals with a political agenda, who seek to elevate transgender politics over the safety and well-being of women.   What was once designed as a bill to protect women, VAWA now, in many ways, works against them. Although I fully support VAWA’s original intent, I cannot support the bill we voted on today. This year’s Violence Against Women Act legislation uses women to advance a political agenda, and women deserve better,” said Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler.

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