Velazquez on Passage of Violence Against Women Act

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) today hailed passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The House approved the legislation after rejecting a Republican amendment that would have prevented members of the LGBT community and undocumented immigrants from receiving assistance.

"Reauthorizing this lifesaving measure is long overdue. The Violence Against Women Act ensures that thousands of abuse victims in New York and millions around the country have somewhere to turn when they are most in need of help. I am particularly pleased the House rejected discriminatory measures that would have stripped away protections for gay and lesbian abuse victims and undocumented immigrants."

Yesterday, Velázquez spoke on the floor in opposition to the Republican amendment that would have gutted key provisions in the bill. The legislation, which was previously approved by the Senate, will now be sent to the President to be signed into law.