Elaine Luria Votes to Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today voted to pass a bipartisan, robust, long-term reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

The Violence Against Women Act is a landmark bill that ushered in transformative progress by calling for the protection of all Americans from violence and abuse, and working to ensure all victims and survivors have the support they need. Today’s 263-158 vote will safeguard and build upon these life-saving protections for women throughout Virginia and across America.

“It’s our duty in Congress to protect millions of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault,” Congresswoman Luria said. “I’m proud to work in a bipartisan way to ensure all women in Virginia and across America have the necessary resources to seek justice, receive care, and thrive in their lives.”

This reauthorization fulfills Congress’s responsibility to protect all Americans by reaffirming protections for every woman, as well as including vital improvements to address gaps in current law that have been identified by victims, survivors, and advocates. 

This bipartisan bill:

• Improves the services available for victims and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking;
• Expands the housing protections and financial assistance available for victims and survivors;
• Closes loopholes in current firearm laws in order to help prevent “intimate partner” homicides by prohibiting persons convicted of misdemeanor stalking or dating violence from possessing firearms; and
• Invests in tools and resources for law enforcement and evidence-based prevention programs that make our communities safer.

Congresswoman Elaine Luria represents Virginia’s 2^nd Congressional District. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee, where she is the Vice Chair of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, where she serves asChair of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee.