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[Congressional Record: September 26, 2000 (House)]
[Page H8086-H8105]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr26se00-65]
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT OF 2000
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 1248) to prevent violence against women, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 1248
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Violence
Against Women Act of 2000''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I--CONTINUING THE COMMITMENT OF THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT
Subtitle A--Law Enforcement and Prosecution Grants To Combat Violence
Against Women
Sec. 101. Reauthorization.
Sec. 102. Technical amendments.
Sec. 103. State coalition grants.
Sec. 104. Full faith and credit enforcement of protection orders.
Sec. 105. Filing costs for criminal charges
Sec. 106. Elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Subtitle B--National Domestic Violence Hotline
Sec. 111. Reauthorization.
Sec. 112. Technical amendments.
Subtitle C--Battered Women's Shelters and Services
Sec. 121. Short title.
Sec. 122. Authorization of appropriations for family violence
prevention and services.
Sec. 123. FVPSA improvements.
Sec. 124. Transitional housing assistance for victims of domestic
violence.
Subtitle D--Community Initiatives
Sec. 131. Grants for community initiatives.
Subtitle E--Education and Training for Judges and Court Personnel
Sec. 141. Reauthorization.
Subtitle F--Grants To Encourage Arrest Policies
Sec. 151. Reauthorization.
Sec. 152. Technical amendment.
Subtitle G--Rural Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Enforcement
Sec. 161. Reauthorization.
Sec. 162. Technical amendments.
Subtitle H--National Stalker and Domestic Violence Reduction
Sec. 171. Technical amendments.
Sec. 172. Reauthorization.
Subtitle I--Federal Victims' Counselors
Sec. 181. Reauthorization.
Subtitle J--Victims of Child Abuse Programs
Sec. 191. Reauthorization of court-appointed special advocate program.
Sec. 192. Reauthorization of child abuse training programs for judicial
personnel and practitioners.
Sec. 193. Reauthorization of grants for televised testimony.
Sec. 194. Dissemination of information.
TITLE II--SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION
Sec. 201. Transfer of rape prevention and education program.
Sec. 202. Rape prevention education.
Sec. 203. Sexual assault and interpersonal violence; demonstration
projects.
TITLE III--OTHER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAMS
Subtitle A--Strengthening Services to Victims of Violence
Sec. 301. Civil legal assistance for victims.
Subtitle B--Limiting the Effects of Violence on Children
Sec. 305. Safe havens for children pilot program.
Subtitle C--Protections Against Violence and Abuse for Women with
Disabilities
Sec. 310. Findings.
Sec. 311. Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968.
Sec. 312. Violence Against Women Act.
Sec. 313. Grants for technical assistance.
Subtitle D--Standards, Practice, and Training for Sexual Assault
Examinations
Sec. 315. Short title.
Sec. 316. Standards, practice, and training for sexual assault forensic
examinations.
Subtitle E--Domestic Violence Task Force
Sec. 320. Domestic Violence Task Force.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
(a) Domestic Violence.--
(1) Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act.--Section
2003(1) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of
1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796gg-2(1)) is amended to read as follows:
``(1) the term `domestic violence' includes acts or threats
of violence, not including acts of self-defense, committed by
a current or former spouse of the victim, by a person with
whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is
cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim, by a person
similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the
domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction, or by
any other person against a victim who is protected from that
person's acts under the domestic or family violence laws of
the jurisdiction;''.
(2) Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act.--Section
2105(1) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of
1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796hh-4(1)) is amended to read as follows:
``(1) the term `domestic violence' includes acts or threats
of violence, not including acts of self-defense, committed by
a current or former spouse of the victim, by a person with
whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is
cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim, by a person
similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the
domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction, or by
any other person against a victim who is protected from that
person's acts under the domestic or family violence laws of
the jurisdiction; and''.
(b) Indian Country.--Section 2003(2) of the Omnibus Crime
Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796gg-2(1))
is amended to read as follows:
``(2) the term `Indian country' has the same meaning as is
given such term by section 1151 of title 18, United States
Code;''.
(c) Stalking.--Section 2003 of the Omnibus Crime Control
and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796gg-2) is amended
by striking the period at the end of paragraph (8) and
inserting a semicolon and by adding after paragraph (8) the
following:
``(9) the term `stalking' means engaging in conduct that is
directed at an individual with the intent to injure and
harass the individual and which places the individual in
reasonable fear of the death of, or serious bodily injury to,
that individual, a member of that individual's immediate
family or that individual's intimate partner;''.
(d) Underserved Populations.--Section 2003(7) of the
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C.
3796gg-2(7) is amended to read as follows:
``(7) the term `underserved populations' includes
populations underserved because of geographic location (such
as rural isolation), underserved racial and ethnic
populations, populations underserved because of special needs
(such as language barriers, disabilities, or age), and any
other population determined to be underserved by the State
planning process in consultation with the Attorney
General;''.
(e) Domestic Violence Coalition.--Section 2003 of the
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C.
3796gg-2), as amended by subsection (c), is amended by adding
after paragraph (9) the following:
``(10) the term `domestic violence coalition' means a
statewide (except in the case of a coalition within lands
under tribal authority) nonprofit, nongovernmental membership
organization of a majority of domestic violence programs
within the State, commonwealth, territory, or lands under
military, Federal, or tribal authority that among other
activities provides training and technical assistance to
domestic violence programs within the State, commonwealth,
territory, or lands under military, Federal, or tribal
authority;''.
[[Page H8087]]
(f) Sexual Assault Coalition.--Section 2003 of the Omnibus
Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796gg-
2), as amended by subsection (e), is amended by adding after
paragraph (10) the following:
``(11) the term `sexual assault coalition' means a
statewide (except in the case of a coalition within lands
under tribal authority) nonprofit, nongovernmental membership
organization of a majority of sexual assault programs within
the State, commonwealth, territory, or lands under military,
Federal, or tribal authority that among other activities
provides training and technical assistance to sexual assault
programs within the State, commonwealth, territory, or lands
under military, Federal, or tribal authority; and''.
(g) Dating Violence.--
(1) Section 2003.--Section 2003 of the Omnibus Crime
Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3996gg-2), as
amended by subsection (f), is amended by adding after
paragraph (11) the following:
``(12) The term `dating violence' means violence committed
by a person--
``(A) who is or has been in a social relationship of a
romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and
``(B) where the existence of such a relationship shall be
determined based on a consideration of the following factors:
``(i) the length of the relationship;
``(ii) the type of relationship; and
``(iii) the frequency of interaction between the persons
involved in the relationship.''.
(2) Section 2105.--Section 2105 of the Omnibus Crime
Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796hh-4) is
amended by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (1), by
striking the period at the end of paragraph (2) and inserting
``; and'', and by adding after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) the term `dating violence' means violence committed
by a person--
``(A) who is or has been in a social relationship of a
romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and
``(B) where the existence of such a relationship shall be
determined based on a consideration of the following factors:
``(i) the length of the relationship;
``(ii) the type of relationship; and
``(iii) the frequency of interaction between the persons
involved in the relationship.''.
TITLE I--CONTINUING THE COMMITMENT OF THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT
Subtitle A--Law Enforcement and Prosecution Grants To Combat Violence
Against Women
SEC. 101. REAUTHORIZATION.
Section 1001(a)(18) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe
Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3793(a)(18)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (E);
(2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (F)
and inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following:
``(G) $185,000,000 for fiscal year 2001;
``(H) $185,000,000 for fiscal year 2002;
``(I) $185,000,000 for fiscal year 2003;
``(J) $195,000,000 for fiscal year 2004; and
``(K) $195,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.''.
SEC. 102. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.
(a) Grant Allocation.--Section 2002(c)(3) of the Omnibus
Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796gg-
1(c)(3)) is amended to read as follows:
``(3) at least 50 percent is allocated to grants for law
enforcement, prosecution, and State and local court systems
and at least 35 percent is allocated for victim services;
and''.
(b) Reallotment.--Section 2002(e) of the Omnibus Crime
Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796gg-1(e))
is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) Reallotment of funds.--
``(A) If, at the end of the 9th month of any fiscal year
for which funds are appropriated under section 1001(a)(18),
the amounts made available are unspent or unobligated, such
unspent or unobligated funds shall be reallotted to the
current fiscal year recipients in the victim services area
pursuant to section 2002(c)(3) proportionate to their
original allotment for the current fiscal year.
``(B) For the first 2 fiscal years following the date of
the enactment of the Violence Against Women Act of 2000, the
Attorney General may waive the qualification requirements of
section 2002(c)(3), at the request of the State and with the
support of law enforcement, prosecution, and victim services
grantees currently funded under this section, if the
reallocation of funds among law enforcement, prosecution,
victim services, and State and local court systems mandated
by this Act adversely impacts victims of sexual assault,
domestic violence, and stalking, due to the reduction of
funds to programs and services funded under this section in
the prior fiscal year. Any waiver granted under this
subparagraph shall not diminish the allocation of any State
for victim services.''.
(c) Expanded Grant Purposes.--Section 2001(b) of the
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C.
3796gg(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``sexual assault and
domestic violence'' and inserting ``sexual assault, domestic
violence, and dating violence'';
(2) in paragraph (5), by striking ``sexual assault and
domestic violence'' and inserting ``sexual assault, domestic
violence, and dating violence'';
(3) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (6); and
(4) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (10) and by
inserting after paragraph (6) the following new paragraphs:
``(7) developing, enlarging, or strengthening State and
local court programs, including training for State, local,
and tribal judges and court personnel, addressing violent
crimes against women, including sexual assault, domestic
violence, and stalking;
``(8) training of sexual assault forensic medical personnel
examiners in the collection and preservation of evidence,
analysis, prevention, and providing expert testimony and
treatment of trauma related to sexual assault;
``(9) supporting the development of sexual assault response
teams to strengthen the investigation of sexual assaults and
coordinate services for victims of sexual assault; and''.
(d) Monitoring and Compliance.--Section 2002 of the Omnibus
Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796gg-
1) is amended by redesignating subsections (e), (f), (g), and
(h) as subsections (f), (g), (h), and (i), respectively, and
by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
``(e) Monitoring and Compliance.--The Attorney General
shall deny applications--
``(1) that do not meet the requirements set forth in
subsections (c) and (d); and
``(2) for failure to provide documentation, including
memoranda of understanding, contract, or other documentation
of any collaborative efforts with other agencies or
organizations.''.
(e) Victim Services.--Section 2003(8) of Omnibus Crime
Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796gg-2(8))
is amended by striking ``assisting domestic violence or
sexual assault victims through the legal process'' and
inserting ``providing advocacy and assistance for victims
seeking abuse-related health care services and legal and
social services, except that such term shall not include
programs or activities that are targeted primarily for
offenders''.
(f) Indian tribal grants.--Section 2002(b)(1) of the
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C.
3796gg-1(b)(1)) is amended by striking ``4 percent'' and
inserting ``5 percent''.
(g) Medical Cost Reimbursement.--Section 2005(b)(3) of the
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C.
3796gg-4(b)(3)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (C);
(2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (D)
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:
``(E) the reimbursement is not contingent upon the victim's
report of the sexual assault to law enforcement or upon the
victim's cooperation in the prosecution of the sexual
assault.''.
(h) State and Local Courts.--Section 2002(a) of the Omnibus
Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796gg-
1(a)) is amended by inserting ``, State and local courts''
after ``States'' the second time it appears.
(i) Information Reporting.--Section 2001(b)(4) of the
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C.
3796gg(b)(4)) is amended by adding before the semicolon the
following: ``, including the reporting of such information to
the National Instant Criminal Background Check System''.
SEC. 103. STATE COALITION GRANTS.
Section 2001 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets
Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796gg) is amended by inserting after
subsection (b) the following new subsection:
``(c) Grants.--
``(1) To coalitions.--The Attorney General shall make
grants to each of the State domestic violence and sexual
assault coalitions in the State for the purposes of
coordinating State victim services activities, and
collaborating and coordinating with Federal, State, and local
entities engaged in violence against women activities. In no
case will such awards preclude the State domestic violence
and sexual assault coalitions from receiving grants under
this part to fulfill the purposes described in subsections
(a) and (b).
``(2) Percent allocations.--Domestic violence coalitions
and sexual assault coalitions shall each receive not less
than two and one-half percent of the funds appropriated for a
fiscal year under section 1001(a)(18) for the purposes
described in paragraph (1).
``(3) Geographical Allotment.--
``(A) Amount.--The domestic violence and sexual assault
coalition in each State, the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the combined United States
Territories shall each receive an amount equal to \1/54\ of
the amount made available under paragraph (2). The combined
United States Territories shall not receive less than 1.5
percent of the funds made available under paragraph (2) for
each fiscal year and the tribal domestic violence and sexual
assault coalitions shall not receive less than 1.5 percent of
the funds made available under paragraph (2) for each fiscal
year.
``(B) Definition.--For the purposes of this section, the
term `combined United States Territories' means Guam,
American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, the
Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territory of the
Pacific Islands.
``(C) Indians.--\1/54\ of the amount appropriated shall be
made available for development and operation of nonprofit
nongovernmental tribal domestic violence and sexual assault
coalitions in Indian country.
[[Page H8088]]
``(4) Disbursement of Geographical Allotments.--50 percent
of the \1/54\ allotted to each State, the District of
Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the combined United
States Territories, and Indian country under paragraph (3)
shall be made available to the domestic violence coalition as
defined in section 2003(10) of this Act and 50 percent shall
be made available to the sexual assault coalition as defined
in section 2003(11) of this Act; and
``(5) Component Eligibility.--In the case of combined
domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions, each
component shall be deemed eligible for the awards for sexual
assault and domestic violence activities, respectively.
``(6) Application.--In the application submitted by a
coalition for the grant, the coalition provides assurances
satisfactory to the Attorney General that the coalition--
``(A) has actively sought and encouraged the participation
of law enforcement agencies and other legal or judicial
entities in the preparation of the application; and
``(B) will actively seek and encourage the participation of
such entities in the activities carried out with the
grant.''.
SEC. 104. FULL FAITH AND CREDIT ENFORCEMENT OF PROTECTION
ORDERS.
(a) In General.--Part U of title I of the Omnibus Crime
Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796hh et
seq.) is amended--
(1) in the heading, by adding ``AND ENFORCEMENT OF
PROTECTION ORDERS'' at the end;
(2) in section 2101(b)--
(A) in paragraph (6), by inserting ``(including juvenile
courts)'' after ``courts''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) To provide technical assistance and computer and
other equipment to police departments, prosecutors, courts,
and tribal jurisdictions to facilitate the widespread
enforcement of protection orders, including interstate
enforcement, enforcement between States and tribal
jurisdictions, and enforcement between tribal
jurisdictions.''; and
(3) in section 2102--
(A) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``, including the enforcement of protection
orders from other States and jurisdictions (including tribal
jurisdictions);''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) have established cooperative agreements or can
demonstrate effective ongoing collaborative arrangements with
neighboring jurisdictions to facilitate the enforcement of
protection orders from other States and jurisdictions
(including tribal jurisdictions); and
``(4) will give priority to using the grant to develop and
install data collection and communication systems, including
computerized systems, and training on how to use these
systems effectively to link police, prosecutors, courts, and
tribal jurisdictions for the purpose of identifying and
tracking protection orders and violations of protection
orders, in those jurisdictions where such systems do not
exist or are not fully effective.''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Dissemination of Information.--The Attorney General
shall annually compile and broadly disseminate (including
through electronic publication) information about successful
data collection and communication systems that meet the
purposes described in this section. Such dissemination shall
target States, State and local courts, Indian tribal
governments, and units of local government.''.
(b) Eligibility for grants to encourage arrest policies.--
(1) In general.--Section 2101 of part U of title I of the
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C.
3796hh) is amended--
(A) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (4) and
inserting the following:
``(4) certify that their laws, policies, and practices do
not require, in connection with the prosecution of any
misdemeanor or felony domestic violence offense, or in
connection with the filing, issuance, registration, or
service of a protection order to protect a victim of domestic
violence, stalking, or sexual assault, that the victim bear
the costs associated with the filing of criminal charges
against the offender, or the costs associated with the
filing, issuance, registration, or service of a warrant,
protection order, or witness subpoena, whether issued inside
or outside the State, tribal, or local jurisdiction.''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Definition.--In this section, the term `protection
order' has the meaning given the term in section 2266 of
title 18, United States Code.''.
(2) Application for grants to encourage arrest policies.--
Section 2102(a)(1)(B) of part U of title I of the Omnibus
Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796hh-
1(a)(1)(B)) is amended by striking ``2 years of the date of
enactment of this part'' and inserting ``the expiration of
the 1-year period beginning on the date of enactment of the
Violence Against Women Act of 2000''.
SEC. 105. FILING COSTS FOR CRIMINAL CHARGES
Section 2006 of part T of title I of the Omnibus Crime
Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796gg-5) is
amended--
(A) in the heading, by striking ``FILING'' and inserting
``AND PROTECTION ORDERS'' after ``CHARGES'';
(B) in subsection (a)--
(i) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(1) certifies that its laws, policies, and practices do
not require, in connection with the prosecution of any
misdemeanor or felony domestic violence offense, or in
connection with the filing, issuance, registration, or
service of a protection order to protect a victim of domestic
violence, stalking, or sexual assault, that the victim bear
the costs associated with the filing of criminal charges
against the offender, or the costs associated with the
filing, issuance, registration, or service of a warrant,
civil or criminal protection order, or witness subpoena,
whether issued inside or outside the State, tribal, or local
jurisdiction; or''; and
(ii) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ``2 years'' and
inserting ``1 year after the date of enactment of the
Violence Against Women Act of 2000''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Definition.--In this section, the term `protection
order' has the meaning given the term in section 2266 of
title 18, United States Code.''.
SEC. 106. ELDER ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION.
The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (108 Stat. 1902) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Subtitle H--Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation, Including
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Against Older or Disabled
Individuals
``SEC. 40801. DEFINITIONS.
``In this subtitle:
``(1) In general.--The terms `elder abuse, neglect, and
exploitation', and `older individual' have the meanings given
the terms in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965
(42 U.S.C. 3002).
``(2) Domestic violence.--The term `domestic violence' has
the meaning given such term by section 2105 of the Omnibus
Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796hh-
4).
``(3) Sexual assault.--The term `sexual assault' has the
meaning given the term in section 2003 of the Omnibus Crime
Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796gg-2).
``SEC. 40802. LAW SCHOOL CLINICAL PROGRAMS ON ELDER ABUSE,
NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION.
``The Attorney General shall make grants to law school
clinical programs for the purposes of funding the inclusion
of cases addressing issues of elder abuse, neglect, and
exploitation, including domestic violence and sexual assault,
against older or disabled individuals.
``SEC. 40803. TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
``The Attorney General shall develop curricula and offer,
or provide for the offering of, training programs to assist
law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and relevant officers
of Federal, State, and local courts in recognizing,
addressing, investigating, and prosecuting instances of elder
abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence
and sexual assault, against older or disabled individuals.
``SEC. 40804. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``There are authorized to be appropriated $15,000,000 for
each of the fiscal years 2001 through 2005 to carry out this
subtitle.''.
Subtitle B--National Domestic Violence Hotline
SEC. 111. REAUTHORIZATION.
Section 316(f)(1) of the Family Violence Prevention and
Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10416(f)(1)) is amended to read as
follows:
``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated
to carry out the purposes of this section--
``(A) $1,600,000 for fiscal year 2001;
``(B) $1,800,000 for fiscal year 2002;
``(C) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2003; and
``(D) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.''.
SEC. 112. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.
Section 316 of the Family Violence Prevention and Services
Act (42 U.S.C. 10416) is amended by redesignating subsection
(f) as subsection (g) and by inserting after subsection (e)
the following:
``(f) Reports.--Within 90 days after the date of the
enactment of the Violence Against Women Act of 2000, all
entities receiving funds pursuant to activities under
subsection (a) shall prepare and submit a report to the
Secretary that evaluates the effectiveness of the use of
amounts received under such grants by such grantee and
containing such other information as the Secretary may
prescribe. The Secretary shall publish any such reports and
provide at least 90 days for notice and opportunity for
public comment prior to awarding or renewing any such
grants.''.
Subtitle C--Battered Women's Shelters and Services
SEC. 121. SHORT TITLE.
This subtitle may be cited as the ``Battered Women's
Shelters and Services Act''.
SEC. 122. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR FAMILY VIOLENCE
PREVENTION AND SERVICES.
Section 310(a) of the Family Violence Prevention and
Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10409(a)) is amended to read as
follows:
``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated
to carry out this title (other than section 316)--
``(1) $120,000,000 for fiscal year 2001;
``(2) $160,000,000 for fiscal year 2002;
``(3) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2003; and
``(4) $260,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.''.
[[Page H8089]]
SEC. 123. FVPSA IMPROVEMENTS.
(a) Reallotment of Funds.--Section 304(d) of the Family
Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10403(d)) is
amended--
(1) by inserting after ``to such State in grants under
section 303(a)'' the following: ``or Indian tribe or tribal
organization under section 303(b)'';
(2) by inserting after ``failure of such State'' the
following: ``or Indian tribe or tribal organization, or other
entity'';
(3) by inserting after ``such amount to States'' the
following: ``and Indian tribes and tribal organizations'';
(4) by inserting after ``which meet such requirements'' the
following: ``proportionate to the original allocation made
under subsection (a) or (b) of section 303, respectively'';
and
(5) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3) and
adding after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) If, at the end of the sixth month of any fiscal year
for which sums are appropriated under section 310, the amount
allotted to an entity has not been made available to such
entity in grants under sections 308 and 311 because of the
failure of such entity to meet the requirements for a grant
or because the limitation on expenditure has been reached,
then the Secretary shall reallot such amount to States and
Indian tribes and tribal organizations that meet such
requirements proportionate to the original allocation under
subsection (a) or (b) of section 303, respectively.''
(b) Tribal Domestic Violence Coalitions.--Section 303(b) of
the Family Violence Prevention Services Act (42 U.S.C.
10402(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(4) From the amounts made available under paragraph (1),
there shall be awarded by the Secretary not less than 5
percent of such amounts for the funding of tribal domestic
violence coalitions. To be eligible for a grant under this
paragraph, an entity shall be a private nonprofit coalition
whose membership includes representatives from a majority of
the programs for victims of domestic violence operating
within the boundaries of an Indian reservation and programs
whose primary purpose is serving the populations of such
Indian country and whose board membership is representative
of such programs. Such coalitions shall further the purposes
of domestic violence intervention and prevention through
activities including--
``(A) training and technical assistance for local Indian
domestic violence programs and providers of direct services
to encourage appropriate responses to domestic violence in
Indian country;
``(B) planning and conducting needs assessments and
planning for comprehensive services in Indian country;
``(C) serving as an information clearinghouse and resource
center for the Indian reservation represented by the
coalition receiving these funds;
``(D) collaborating with Indian, State, and Federal
governmental systems which affect battered women in Indian
country, including judicial and law enforcement and child
protective services agencies, to encourage appropriate
responses to domestic violence cases;
``(E) conducting public education and outreach activities
addressing domestic violence in Indian country;
``(F) collaborating with State domestic violence coalitions
in the areas described above; and
``(G) participating in planning and monitoring of the
distribution of grants and grant funds to the Indian
reservation and tribal organizations under paragraph (1).''
SEC. 124. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS OF
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
Part T of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of
1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796gg et seq.) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``SEC. 2007. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE.
``(a) In General.--The Attorney General shall award grants
to States, units of local government, and Indian tribes under
this section to carry out programs to provide assistance to
individuals and their dependents--
``(1) who are homeless or in need of transitional housing
or other housing assistance, as a result of fleeing domestic
violence; and
``(2) for whom emergency shelter services are unavailable
or insufficient.
``(b) Assistance Described.--Assistance provided under this
section may include--
``(1) short-term housing assistance, including rental or
utilities payments assistance, where such assistance is
necessary to prevent homelessness due to fleeing domestic
violence; and
``(2) short-term support services, including expenses and
costs associated with transportation and job training
referrals, child care, counseling, transitional housing
identification and placement, and related expenses such as
utility or security deposits and other costs incidental to
relocation to transitional housing.
``(c) Term of Assistance.--An individual or family assisted
under this section may not receive transitional housing
assistance for a total of more than 12 months.
``(d) Reports.--
``(1) Report to attorney general.--
``(A) In general.--An entity that receives a grant under
this section shall annually prepare and submit to the
Attorney General a report describing the number of
individuals and dependents assisted, and the types of housing
assistance and support services provided, under this section.
``(B) Contents.--Each report shall include information on--
``(i) the purpose and amount of housing assistance provided
to each individual or dependent assisted under this section;
``(ii) the number of months each individual or dependent
received the assistance;
``(iii) the number of individuals and dependents who were
eligible to receive the assistance, and to whom the entity
could not provide the assistance solely due to a lack of
available housing; and
``(iv) the type of support services provided to each
individual or dependent assisted under this section.
``(2) Report to congress.--The Attorney General shall
annually prepare and submit to the Committee on the Judiciary
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on the
Judiciary of the Senate a report that contains a compilation
of the information contained in reports submitted under
paragraph (1).
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated from the Violent Crime
Reduction Trust Fund established under section 310001 of the
Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (42
U.S.C. 14211) to carry out this section--
``(1) $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through
2003; and
``(2) $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 and
2005.''.
Subtitle D--Community Initiatives
SEC. 131. GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY INITIATIVES.
(a) Authorization.--Section 318(h) of the Family Violence
Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10418(h)) is amended
to read as follows:
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section--
``(1) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2001;
``(2) $9,000,000 for fiscal year 2002;
``(3) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2003; and
``(4) $11,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.''.
(b) Information.--Subsection (i) of section 318 of the
Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10418)
is amended by inserting the text of the subsection as a cut-
in paragraph (1) with the heading ``In general.--'' and by
adding at the end the following:
``(2) Information.--The Secretary shall annually compile
and broadly disseminate (including through electronic
publication) information about the use of funds and about the
projects funded under this section, including any evaluations
of the projects and information to enable replication and
adoption of the strategies identified in the projects. Such
dissemination shall target other community-based programs,
including domestic violence and sexual assault programs.''.
Subtitle E--Education and Training for Judges and Court Personnel
SEC. 141. REAUTHORIZATION.
(a) Grants for Education and Training for Judges and Court
Personnel in State Courts.--
(1) Section 40412.--Section 40412 of the Equal Justice for
Women in the Courts Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 13992) is
amended--
(A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (18);
(B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (19) and
inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (19) the following:
``(20) the issues raised by domestic violence in
determining custody and visitation, including how to protect
the safety of the child and of a parent who is not a
predominant aggressor of domestic violence, the legitimate
reasons parents may report domestic violence, the ways
domestic violence may relate to an abuser's desire to seek
custody, and evaluating expert testimony in custody and
visitation determinations involving domestic violence;
``(21) the issues raised by child sexual assault in
determining custody and visitation, including how to protect
the safety of the child, the legitimate reasons parents may
report child sexual assault, and evaluating expert testimony
in custody and visitation determinations involving child
sexual assault, including the current scientifically-accepted
and empirically valid research on child sexual assault;
``(22) the extent to which addressing domestic violence and
victim safety contributes to the efficient administration of
justice;''.
(2) Section 40414.--Section 40414(a) of the Equal Justice
for Women in the Courts Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 13994(a)) is
amended by inserting ``and $1,500,000 for each of the fiscal
years 2001 through 2005'' after ``1996''.
(b) Grants for Education and Training for Judges and Court
Personnel in Federal Courts.--
(1) Section 40421.--Section 40421(d) of the Equal Justice
for Women in the Courts Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 14001(d)) is
amended to read as follows:
``(d) Continuing Education and Training Programs.--The
Federal Judicial Center, in carrying out section 620(b)(3) of
title 28, United States Code, shall include in the
educational programs it prepares, including the training
programs for newly appointed judges, information on the
aspects of the topics listed in section 40412 that pertain to
issues within the jurisdiction of the Federal
[[Page H8090]]
courts, and shall prepare materials necessary to implement
this subsection.''.
(2) Section 40422.--Section 40422(2) of the Equal Justice
for Women in the Courts Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 14002(2)) is
amended by inserting ``and $500,000 for each of the fiscal
years 2001 through 2005'' after ``1996''.
(c) Technical Amendments to the Equal Justice for Women in
the Courts Act of 1994.--
(1) Ensuring collaboration with domestic violence and
sexual assault programs.--Section 40413 of the Equal Justice
for Women in the Courts Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 13993) is
amended by adding ``, including national, State, tribal, and
local domestic violence and sexual assault programs and
coalitions'' after ``victim advocates''.
(2) Participation of tribal courts in state training and
education programs.--Section 40411 of the Equal Justice for
Women in the Courts Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 13991) is amended
by adding at the end the following: ``Nothing shall preclude
the attendance of tribal judges and court personnel at
programs funded under this section for States to train judges
and court personnel on the laws of the States.''
(3) Use of funds for dissemination of model programs.--
Section 40414 of the Equal Justice for Women in the Courts
Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 13994) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(c) State Justice Institute.--The State Justice Institute
may use up to 5 percent of the funds appropriated under this
section for annually compiling and broadly disseminating
(including through electronic publication) information about
the use of funds and about the projects funded under this
section, including any evaluations of the projects and
information to enable the replication and adoption of the
projects.''.
(d) Dating Violence.--
(1) Section 40411.--Section 40411 of the Equal Justice for
Women in Courts Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C 13991) is amended by
inserting ``dating violence,'' after ``domestic violence,''.
(2) Section 40412.--Section 40412 of such Act (42 U.S.C
13992) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (10), by inserting ``and dating violence''
before the semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (11), by inserting ``and dating'' after
``domestic'';
(C) in paragraph (13), by inserting ``and dating'' after
``domestic'' in both places that it appears;
(D) in paragraph (17) by inserting ``or dating'' after
``domestic'' in both places that it appears; and
(E) in paragraph (18), by inserting ``and dating'' after
``domestic''.
Subtitle F--Grants To Encourage Arrest Policies
SEC. 151. REAUTHORIZATION.
Section 1001(a)(19) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe
Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3793(a)(19)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (B);
(2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C)
and inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
``(D) $63,000,000 for fiscal year 2001;
``(E) $67,000,000 for fiscal year 2002;
``(F) $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2003;
``(G) $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2004; and
``(H) $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.''.
SEC. 152. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.
Section 2101 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets
Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796hh) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(2), by inserting ``and dating'' after
``domestic'';
(2) in subsection (b)(5), by inserting ``and dating'' after
``domestic''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:.
``(e) Disbursement.--At least 5 percent of the funds
appropriated under 1001(a)(19) shall be used for grants to
Indian tribal governments.''.
Subtitle G--Rural Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Enforcement
SEC. 161. REAUTHORIZATION.
Section 40295(c)(1) of the Safe Homes for Women Act of 1994
(42 U.S.C. 13971(c)(1)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (B);
(2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C)
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
``(D) $35,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2001, 2002,
2003, 2004, and 2005.''.
SEC. 162. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.
Section 40295 of the Safe Homes for Women Act of 1994 (42
U.S.C. 13971) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting ``and dating'' after
``domestic'';
(2) in subsection (a)(2), by inserting ``and dating'' after
``domestic''; and
(3) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following:.
``(3) Disbursement.--At least 5 percent of the funds
appropriated under paragraph (1) shall be used for grants to
Indian tribal governments.''.
Subtitle H--National Stalker and Domestic Violence Reduction
SEC. 171. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.
Section 40602(a) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994
(42 U.S.C. 14031(a)) is amended by inserting ``and
implement'' after ``improve''.
SEC. 172. REAUTHORIZATION.
Section 40603 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (42
U.S.C. 14032) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (2);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (3) and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
``(4) $3,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2001, 2002,
2003, 2004, and 2005.''.
Subtitle I--Federal Victims' Counselors
SEC. 181. REAUTHORIZATION.
The text of section 40114 of the Safe Streets for Women Act
of 1994 is amended to read as follows: ``There are authorized
to be appropriated for the United States Attorneys for the
purpose of appointing Victim/Witness Counselors for the
prosecution of domestic violence and sexual assault crimes
where applicable (such as the District of Columbia)
$1,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2001, 2002, 2003,
2004, and 2005.''.
Subtitle J--Victims of Child Abuse Programs
SEC. 191. REAUTHORIZATION OF COURT-APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE
PROGRAM.
Section 218(a) of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990
(42 U.S.C. 13014(a)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (4);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (5) and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
``(6) $12,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2001, 2002,
2003, and 2004.''
SEC. 192. REAUTHORIZATION OF CHILD ABUSE TRAINING PROGRAMS
FOR JUDICIAL PERSONNEL AND PRACTITIONERS.
Section 224(a) of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990
(42 U.S.C. 13024(a)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (4);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (5) and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
``(6) $2,300,000 for each of the fiscal years 2001, 2002,
2003, and 2004.''.
SEC. 193. REAUTHORIZATION OF GRANTS FOR TELEVISED TESTIMONY.
Section 1001(a)(7) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control
and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3793(a)(7)) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (D);
(2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (E)
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following:
``(F) $1,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2001, 2002,
2003, 2004, and 2005.''.
SEC. 194. DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION.
Section 40156 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 is
amended by inserting at the end the following:
``(d) Information.--The Attorney General shall annually
compile and broadly disseminate (including through electronic
publication) information about the use of funds and about the
projects funded under this section, including any evaluations
of the projects and information to enable replication and
adoption of the strategies identified in the projects. Such
dissemination shall target community-based programs,
including domestic violence and sexual assault programs.''.
TITLE II--SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION
SEC. 201. TRANSFER OF RAPE PREVENTION AND EDUCATION PROGRAM.
Part J of title III of the Public Health Service Act is
amended by inserting after section 393A the following new
section:
``SEC. 393B. USE OF ALLOTMENTS FOR RAPE PREVENTION EDUCATION.
``(a) Grants.--
``(1) Permitted use.--Notwithstanding section 1904(a)(1),
amounts transferred by the State for use under this part
shall be used for rape prevention and education programs
conducted by rape crisis centers and private nonprofit
nongovernmental State and tribal sexual assault coalitions
for--
``(A) educational seminars;
``(B) the operation of hotlines;
``(C) training programs for professionals;
``(D) the preparation of informational material; and
``(E) other efforts to increase awareness of the facts
about, or to help prevent, sexual assault, including efforts
to increase awareness in underserved populations (as defined
in section 2003(7) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe
Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796gg-2(7)).
``(2) Terms.--
``(A) Populations.--The Secretary shall make grants under
subsection (a) to each State on the basis of the population
of the State.
``(B) Rape prevention and education programs.--No State may
use funds made available by reason of paragraph (1) in any
fiscal year for administration of any prevention program
other than the rape prevention and education program for
which grants are made under paragraph (1).
``(C) Availability.--Any amount paid to a State for a
fiscal year and remaining unobligated at the end of such year
shall remain available for the next fiscal year to such State
for the purposes for which it was made.
``(D) Administrative and technical assistance.--The
Secretary shall use not more than 5 percent of the funds
available under paragraph (1) for the purposes of
administrative and technical assistance.
``(E) Targeting of education programs.--States receiving
grant moneys under paragraph (1) shall ensure that at least
25 percent
[[Page H8091]]
of the moneys are devoted to educational programs targeted
for middle school, junior high, and high school aged
students. The programs targeted under this subsection shall
be conducted by rape crisis centers and State and tribal
sexual assault coalitions.
``(b) National Resource Center.--
``(1) Establishment.--At such time as appropriations under
subsection (c) reach at least $80,000,000, the Secretary of
Health and Human Services shall, through the National Center
for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, establish a National Resource Center
on Sexual Assault to provide resource information, policy,
training, and technical assistance to Federal, State, and
Indian tribal agencies, as well as to State and tribal sexual
assault coalitions and local sexual assault programs and to
other professionals and interested parties on issues relating
to sexual assault. The Resource Center shall maintain a
central resource library in order to collect, prepare,
analyze, and disseminate information and statistics and
analyses thereof relating to the incidence and prevention of
sexual assault.
``(2) Eligible organizations.--The Secretary shall award a
grant under paragraph (1) to a private nonprofit organization
which can--
``(A) demonstrate that it has recognized expertise in the
area of sexual assault and a record of high-quality services
to victims of sexual assault, including a demonstration of
support from advocacy groups, such as State and tribal sexual
assault coalitions or recognized national sexual assault
groups; and
``(B) demonstrate a commitment to diversity and to the
provision of services to underserved populations as defined
in section 2003(7) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe
Street Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796gg-2(7)).
``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--
``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated
to carry out this section--
``(A) $80,000,000 for fiscal year 2001;
``(B) $105,000,000 for fiscal year 2002;
``(C) $105,000,000 for fiscal year 2003;
``(D) $155,000,000 for fiscal year 2004; and
``(E) $155,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.
Funds authorized to be appropriated under this section are
appropriated from the Violent Crime Reduction Fund pursuant
to section 310001(c) of the Violent Crime Control and Law
Enforcement Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 14211(c)) and paragraph
(16) under the definition of prevention program in section
310004(d) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 14214(d)).
``(2) Sexual assault coalitions.--At such time as
appropriations under subsection (c) reach at least
$80,000,000, the Secretary shall designate 15 percent of the
total amount appropriated to be used for making grants to
nonprofit, nongovernmental State sexual assault coalitions to
address public health issues associated with sexual assault
through training, resource development, or similar research.
``(3) Indian country.--At such time as the appropriations
under subsection (c) reach at least $80,000,000, there shall
be awarded by the Secretary not less than 5 percent of such
amounts for the funding of tribal sexual assault coalitions.
To be eligible for a grant under this paragraph, an entity
shall be a private nonprofit coalition whose membership
includes representatives from a majority of the programs for
adult and child victims of sexual assault operating within
the boundaries of such Indian country and programs whose
primary purpose is serving the population of an Indian
reservation, and whose board membership is representative of
such programs. Such coalitions shall further the purposes of
sexual assault intervention and prevention through activities
including--
``(A) training and technical assistance for local Indian
sexual assault programs and providers of direct services to
encourage appropriate responses to sexual assault in Indian
country;
``(B) planning and conducting needs assessments and
planning for comprehensive services in Indian country;
``(C) serving as an information clearinghouse and resource
center for any Indian reservation represented by the
coalition receiving these funds;
``(D) collaborating with Indian, State, and Federal systems
which affect adult and child victims of sexual assault in
Indian country, including judicial, law enforcement, and
child protective services agencies, to encourage appropriate
responses to sexual assault cases;
``(E) conducting public education and outreach activities
addressing sexual assault in Indian country;
``(F) collaborating with sexual assault coalitions in the
areas described above; and
``(G) participating in planning and monitoring of the
distribution of grants and grant funds to Indian reservation
and tribal organizations under this section.
``(4) Subsection (b) allotment.--Of the amount appropriated
for any fiscal year under this section, at least $1,000,000
shall be made available for grants under subsection (b), with
yearly increases of at least 10 percent of the prior year's
allotment.
``(d) Limitations.--
``(1) A State may use funds under subsection (a) only so as
to supplement and, to the extent practicable, increase the
level of funds that would be available from non-Federal
sources for the activities described in subsection (a), and
in no case may such funds be used to supplant funds from
other sources.
``(2) A State may not use more than 2 percent of the funds
received in each fiscal year under this section for
surveillance studies or prevalence studies and funds for such
studies shall be available only at such time as
appropriations under subsection (c) reach at least
$80,000,000.
``(3) A State may not use more than 5 percent of funds
received in each fiscal year under subsection (a) for
administrative expenses.
``(e) Definitions.--
``(1) Indian country.--The term `Indian Country' has the
same meaning as is given such term by section 1151 of title
18, United States Code.
``(2) Rape prevention and education.--For purposes of this
section, the term `rape prevention and education' includes
education and prevention efforts directed at sexual offenses
committed by offenders who are not known to the victim as
well as offenders who are known to the victim.
``(3) Sexual assault.--The term `sexual assault' means any
conduct proscribed by chapter 109A of title 18, United States
Code, whether or not the conduct occurs in the special
maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States or
in a Federal prison and includes both assaults committed by
offenders who are strangers to the victim and assaults
committed by offenders who are known to the victim or related
by blood or marriage to the victim.
``(4) Rape crisis center.--The term `rape crisis center'
means a private, nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that
is organized, or has as one of its primary purposes, to
provide services for victims of sexual assault and has a
record of commitment and demonstrated experience in providing
services to victims of sexual assault.
``(5) Sexual assault program.--The term `sexual assault
program' means a private, nonprofit, nongovernmental
organization that is organized, or has as one of its primary
purposes, to provide services for victims of sexual assault
and has a record of commitment and demonstrated experience in
providing services to victims of sexual assault.
``(6) Sexual assault coalition.--The term `sexual assault
coalition' means a coalition that coordinates State victim
service activities, and collaborates and coordinates with
Federal, State, and local entities to further the purposes of
sexual assault intervention and prevention.''.
SEC. 202. RAPE PREVENTION EDUCATION.
(a) Repeal.--The section added by section 40151 of the
Violence Against Women Act of 1994 is repealed.
(b) Effective Date.--The repeal made by subsection (a) of
this section shall take effect the day after the date of
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 203. SEXUAL ASSAULT AND INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE;
DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
(a) Demonstration Projects.--Section 393 of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280b-1a) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following
subsection:
``(b)(1) With respect to all victims of sexual assault and
interpersonal violence who present at hospital emergency
rooms and other sites offering services to such victims,
demonstration projects under subsection (a)(6) shall include
projects in which, on a 24-hour basis, nurses and other
health care professionals at such rooms and sites who are
trained in accordance with protocols under paragraph (2)--
``(A) identify victims of such violence;
``(B) collect physical evidence from the victims that may
be of use in judicial proceedings regarding the violence; and
``(C) provide information and appropriate referrals to rape
crisis center programs and victim service providers,
including referrals to health-related services and social
services.
``(2) In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall
carry out a program to train nurses and other health care
professionals to provide the services described in such
paragraph. The program shall develop a protocol for such
training.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
to section 393 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
280b-1a) shall apply to demonstration projects funded under
subsection (a)(6) of such Act which are ongoing on the date
of the enactment of this Act.
TITLE III--OTHER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAMS
Subtitle A--Strengthening Services to Victims of Violence
SEC. 301. CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS.
(a) In General.--The purpose of this section is to enable
the Attorney General to award grants to increase the
availability of civil legal assistance necessary to provide
effective aid to victims of domestic violence, dating
violence, stalking, or sexual assault who are seeking relief
in legal matters arising as a consequence of that abuse or
violence, at minimal or no cost to the victims.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Domestic violence.--The term ``domestic violence'' has
the meaning given the term in section 2003 of title I of the
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C.
3796gg-2).
(2) Dating violence.--The term ``dating violence'' has the
meaning given the term in section 2003 of title I of the
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C.
3796gg-2).
[[Page H8092]]
(3) Civil legal assistance for victims.--The term ``civil
legal assistance'' includes legal assistance to victims of
domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual
assault in any administrative, civil, judicial, family, or
immigration proceeding. No funds made available under this
section may be used to provide financial assistance in
support of any litigation described in paragraph (14) of
section 504(a) of Public Law 104-134.
(4) Sexual assault.--The term ``sexual assault'' has the
meaning given the term in section 2003 of title I of the
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C.
3796gg-2).
(c) Legal Assistance for Victims Grants.--The Attorney
General may award grants under this subsection to private
nonprofit entities, Indian tribal governments, tribally
recognized organizations, qualified Legal Services
Corporation grantees, other voluntary legal services
organizations, and publicly funded organizations not acting
in a governmental capacity such as law schools, and which
shall be used--
(1) to implement, expand, and establish cooperative efforts
and projects between domestic violence and sexual assault
victim services organizations and legal assistance providers
to provide legal assistance for victims of domestic violence,
stalking, and sexual assault;
(2) to implement, expand, and establish efforts and
projects to provide legal assistance for victims of domestic
violence, stalking, and sexual assault by organizations with
a demonstrated history of providing direct legal or advocacy
services on behalf of these victims; and
(3) to provide training, technical assistance, and data
collection to improve the capacity of grantees and other
entities to offer legal assistance to victims of domestic
violence, stalking, and sexual assault.
(d) To be eligible for a grant under subsection (c),
applicants shall certify in writing that--
(1) any person providing civil legal assistance through a
program funded under subsection (c) has completed or will
complete training in connection with domestic violence or
sexual assault and related legal issues;
(2) any training program conducted in satisfaction of the
requirement of paragraph (1) has been or will be developed
with input from and in collaboration with a State, local, or
tribal domestic violence or sexual assault program or
coalition, as well as appropriate State and local law
enforcement officials;
(3) any person or organization providing civil legal
assistance through a program funded under subsection (c) has
informed and will continue to inform State, local, or tribal
domestic violence or sexual assault programs and coalitions,
as well as appropriate State and local law enforcement
officials of their work; and
(4) the grantee's organizational policies do not require
mediation or counseling involving offenders and victims
physically together, in cases where sexual assault, domestic
violence, or child sexual abuse is an issue.
(e) Evaluation.--The Attorney General may evaluate the
grants funded under this section through contracts or other
arrangements with entities expert on domestic violence,
stalking, and sexual assault, and on evaluation research.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated
from the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund established under
section 310001 of the Violent Crime Control and Law
Enforcement Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 14211) to carry out this
section--
(A) $35,250,000 for fiscal year 2001;
(B) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2002;
(C) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2003;
(D) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2004; and
(E) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;
(2) Allocation of funds.--
(A) Tribal programs.--Of the amount made available under
this subsection in each fiscal year, not less than 5 percent
shall be used for grants for programs that assist victims of
domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault on lands
within the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe.
(B) Victims of sexual assault.--Not less than 25 percent of
the funds used for direct services, training, and technical
assistance shall be used to support projects focused solely
or primarily on civil legal assistance for victims of sexual
assault.
(3) Nonsupplantation.--Amounts made available under this
section shall be used to supplement and not supplant other
Federal, State, and local funds expended to further the
purpose of this section.
Subtitle B--Limiting the Effects of Violence on Children
SEC. 305. SAFE HAVENS FOR CHILDREN PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Attorney General may award grants to
States, units of local government, and Indian tribal
governments that propose to enter into or expand the scope of
existing contracts and cooperative agreements with public or
private nonprofit entities to provide supervised visitation
and safe visitation exchange of children by and between
parents in cases of domestic violence, child abuse, or sexual
assault.
(b) Considerations.--In awarding grants under subsection
(a), the Attorney General shall take into account--
(1) the number of families to be served by the proposed
visitation programs and services;
(2) the extent to which the proposed supervised visitation
programs and services serve underserved populations (as
defined in section 2003 of title I of the Omnibus Crime
Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796gg-2));
(3) with respect to an applicant for a contract or
cooperative agreement, the extent to which the applicant
demonstrates cooperation and collaboration with nonprofit,
nongovernmental entities in the local community served,
including the State domestic violence coalition, State sexual
assault coalition, local shelters, and programs for domestic
violence and sexual assault victims; and
(4) the extent to which the applicant demonstrates
coordination and collaboration with State and local court
systems, including mechanisms for communication and referral.
(c) Applicant Requirements.--The Attorney General shall
award grants for contracts and cooperative agreements to
applicants that--
(1) demonstrate expertise in the area of family violence,
including the areas of domestic violence or sexual assault,
as appropriate;
(2) ensure that any fees charged to individuals for use of
programs and services are based on the income of those
individuals, unless otherwise provided by court order;
(3) demonstrate that adequate security measures, including
adequate facilities, procedures, and personnel capable of
preventing violence, are in place for the operation of
supervised visitation programs and services or safe
visitation exchange; and
(4) prescribe standards by which the supervised visitation
or safe visitation exchange will occur.
(d) Reporting.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the last day
of the first fiscal year commencing on or after the date of
enactment of this Act, and not later than 180 days after the
last day of each fiscal year thereafter, the Attorney General
shall submit to Congress a report that includes information
concerning--
(A) the number of--
(i) individuals served and the number of individuals turned
away from visitation programs and services and safe
visitation exchange (categorized by State);
(ii) the number of individuals from underserved populations
served and turned away from services; and
(iii) the type of problems that underlie the need for
supervised visitation or safe visitation exchange, such as
domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, other
physical abuse, or a combination of such factors;
(B) the numbers of supervised visitations or safe
visitation exchanges ordered under this section during
custody determinations under a separation or divorce decree
or protection order, through child protection services or
other social services agencies, or by any other order of a
civil, criminal, juvenile, or family court;
(C) the process by which children or abused partners are
protected during visitations, temporary custody transfers,
and other activities for which supervised visitation is
established under this section;
(D) safety and security problems occurring during the
reporting period during supervised visitation under this
section, including the number of parental abduction cases;
and
(E) the number of parental abduction cases in a judicial
district using supervised visitation programs and services
under this section, both as identified in criminal
prosecution and custody violations.
(2) Guidelines.--The Attorney General shall establish
guidelines for the collection and reporting of data under
this subsection.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated from the Violent Crime Reduction Trust
Fund established under section 310001 of the Violent Crime
Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 14211) to
carry out this section $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2001 and 2002.
(f) Allotment for Indian Tribes.--Not less than 5 percent
of the total amount made available for each fiscal year to
carry out this section shall be available for grants to
Indian tribal governments.
Subtitle C--Protections Against Violence and Abuse for Women with
Disabilities
SEC. 310. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that--
(1) women with disabilities are more likely to be the
victims of abuse and violence than women without disabilities
because of their increased physical, economic, social, or
psychological dependence on others;
(2) in domestic violence cases, women with disabilities
stay with their batterers almost twice as long as women
without disabilities;
(3) violence and abuse against women with disabilities
takes many forms, including verbal abuse, physical abuse,
sexual assault, forced isolation, control over economic
resources, and the withholding of equipment, medication,
transportation, or personal care assistance;
(4) many women with disabilities fail to report abuse
because they are dependent on their abusers and fear being
abandoned or institutionalized;
(5) many women with disabilities are unable to leave
abusive or violent spouses or cohabitants because of the
inaccessibility of services or the fear of abandoning
dependent children; and
(6) law enforcement, the criminal justice system, legal
services, and victim services
[[Page H8093]]
are often not equipped or trained to effectively identify and
respond to abuse or violence against women with disabilities.
SEC. 311. OMNIBUS CRIME CONTROL AND SAFE STREETS ACT OF 1968.
Section 2001(b)(5) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe
Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796gg(b)), as amended by
section 141(a)(1), is amended by inserting before the
semicolon at the end the following: ``and forms of violence
and abuse particularly suffered by women with disabilities''.
SEC. 312. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT.
Section 40412 of the Equal Justice for Women in the Courts
Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 13992) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (6), by inserting ``, stereotyping of
persons with disabilities who are victims of rape, sexual
assault, abuse, or violence'' after ``racial stereotyping of
rape victims'';
(2) in paragraph (13), by inserting ``or among persons with
disabilities,'' after ``socioeconomic groups,''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (22) the following:
``(23) issues related to violence and abuse against persons
with disabilities, including the nature of physical, mental,
and communications disabilities, the special vulnerability to
violence of persons with disabilities, and the types of
violence and abuse experienced by persons with disabilities;
``(24) the requirements placed on courts and judges under
existing disability laws, including the requirements to
provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services and to ensure
physical access; and
``(25) the stereotypes regarding the fitness of persons
with disabilities to retain custody of children, especially
in domestic violence cases.''.
SEC. 313. GRANTS FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--The Attorney General shall make grants to
States, nongovernmental private entities, and tribal
organizations to provide education and technical assistance
for the purpose of providing training, consultation, and
information on violence, abuse, and sexual assault against
women who are individuals with disabilities (as defined in
section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42
U.S.C. 12102)).
(b) Priorities.--In making grants under this section, the
Attorney General shall give priority to applications designed
to provide education and technical assistance on--
(1) the nature, definition, and characteristics of
violence, abuse, and sexual assault experienced by women who
are individuals with disabilities;
(2) outreach activities to ensure that women who are
individuals with disabilities who are victims of violence,
abuse, and sexual assault receive appropriate assistance;
(3) the requirements of shelters and victim services
organizations under Federal anti-discrimination laws,
including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and
section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and
(4) cost-effective ways that shelters and victim services
may accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities in
accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
(c) Uses of Grants.--Each recipient of a grant under this
section shall provide information and training to national,
State, local, and tribal organizations and programs that
provide services to individuals with disabilities, including
independent living centers, disability-related service
organizations, domestic violence programs providing shelter
or related assistance, rape crisis centers, and programs
providing sexual assault services, other victim services
organizations, and women with disabilities.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated from the Violent Crime Reduction Trust
Fund established under section 310001 of the Violent Crime
Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 14211) to
carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2001 through 2005.
Subtitle D--Standards, Practice, and Training for Sexual Assault
Examinations
SEC. 315. SHORT TITLE.
This subtitle may be cited as the ``Standards, Practice,
and Training for Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations Act''.
SEC. 316. STANDARDS, PRACTICE, AND TRAINING FOR SEXUAL
ASSAULT FORENSIC EXAMINATIONS.
(a) In General.--The Attorney General shall--
(1) evaluate existing standards of training and practice
for licensed health care professionals performing sexual
assault forensic examinations and develop a national
recommended standard for training;
(2) recommend sexual assault forensic examination training
for all health care students to improve the recognition of
injuries suggestive of rape and sexual assault and baseline
knowledge of appropriate referrals in victim treatment and
evidence collection; and
(3) review existing national, State, tribal, and local
protocols on sexual assault forensic examinations, and based
on this review, develop a recommended national protocol and
establish a mechanism for its nationwide dissemination.
(b) Consultation.--The Attorney General shall consult with
national, State, tribal, and local experts in the area of
rape and sexual assault, including rape crisis centers, State
and tribal sexual assault and domestic violence coalitions
and programs, and programs for criminal justice, forensic
nursing, forensic science, emergency room medicine, law,
social services, and sex crimes in underserved communities
(as defined in section 2003(7) of the Omnibus Crime Control
and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796gg-2(7) as
amended by section 2(d)).
(c) Report.--The Attorney General shall ensure that no
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, a
report of the actions taken pursuant to subsection (a) is
submitted to Congress.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $200,000 for
fiscal year 2001.
Subtitle E--Domestic Violence Task Force
SEC. 320. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TASK FORCE
The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (108 Stat. 1902), as
amended by section 107, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``Subtitle I--Domestic Violence Task Force
``SEC. 40901. TASK FORCE.
``(a) Establish.--The Attorney General, in consultation
with national nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations whose
primary expertise is in domestic violence, shall establish a
task force to coordinate research on domestic violence and to
report to Congress on any overlapping or duplication of
efforts on domestic violence issues. The task force shall be
comprised of representatives from all Federal agencies that
fund such research.
``(b) Uses of Funds.--Funds appropriated under this section
shall be used to--
``(1) develop a coordinated strategy to strengthen research
focused on domestic violence education, prevention, and
intervention strategies;
``(2) track and report all Federal research and
expenditures on domestic violence; and
``(3) identify gaps and duplication of efforts in domestic
violence research and governmental expenditures on domestic
violence issues.
``(c) Report.--The Task Force shall report to Congress
annually on its work under subsection (b).
``(d) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term
`domestic violence' has the meaning given such term by
section 2003 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets
Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796gg-2(1).
``(e) Authorization of Appropriation.--There are authorized
to be appropriated $500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2001
through 2004 to carry out this section.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde).
General Leave
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 1248, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1248, the Violence
Against Women Act of 2000, and I salute the gentlewoman from Maryland
(Mrs. Morella) for her leadership on this issue.
I know all of us in Congress are concerned with violence perpetrated
against women; and tragically, it continues to be a serious national
problem that takes various forms, including domestic battery, stalking,
rape, and murder. This legislation strengthens the ability of local
communities to respond effectively to such crimes.
Sadly, most of us committed to the fight against domestic violence
know the facts all too well: nearly one in every three adult women
experiences at least one physical assault by a partner during
adulthood; 5 million date rapes and physical assaults are perpetrated
against women annually.
While in general, crime rates are down, domestic violence remains a
serious problem in our society, occurring in all communities and
crossing ethnic, racial, age, and socioeconomic lines. The national
toll that such violence takes on women, families, and children is
incalculable. It diminishes us all.
Since its inception in 1994, Congress has appropriated more than $1.5
billion in Violence Against Women Act funding for State and local law
enforcement agencies, as well as for education, prevention, and
outreach programs.
Violence Against Women Act programs have aided the prosecution of
domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse cases across the
country, and have increased victims services, like domestic violence
shelters for women.
I am pleased that the House is acting today in a bipartisan fashion
and will
[[Page H8094]]
be the first body in Congress to pass reauthorization legislation,
because the authorization for these vital programs expires at the end
of this fiscal year, just 4 days from now.
Mr. Speaker, I do want it to be clear, even if we have not ironed out
our differences with the Senate's Violence Against Women Act
reauthorization bill by the end of the fiscal year, funding will
continue. It remains a priority of this Congress, which is why we have
held hearings on the bill, strengthened it as it moved through the
committee, and are here on the floor today to pass it.
Mr. Speaker, key programs reauthorized in this legislation include
grant funding for State and local law enforcement and prosecutors to
combat violence against women, shelters for victims, the national
domestic violence hotline, and rape prevention efforts. Additional
initiatives have been authorized aimed at preventing domestic violence
and sexual assault against older and disabled individuals, meeting the
civil legal assistance and transitional housing needs of victims and
establishing a task force to minimize overlapping Federal efforts to
address domestic violence.
In short, this bill is a balanced and comprehensive effort to enhance
the ability of States and localities to prevent and combat violence
against women.
When I am asked about my commitment to Violence Against Women Act and
where that fits into the congressional crime agenda, my answer is
simple: violence against women is a crime. It is wrong. It should be
punished severely, and we have a responsibility to develop and fund
community-based efforts to prevent it.
We must continue to support comprehensive community-based efforts to
keep victims safe and hold offenders accountable, and reauthorizing the
Violence Against Women Act programs through passage and enactment of
H.R. 1248 will further efforts to do just that.
{time} 1230
This is a bill all Members, both Republicans and Democrats, can
enthusiastically support and be proud in so doing.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am so happy that the Violence Against Women Act is
finally coming to the floor of the House of Representatives for a
disposition, and just in the nick of time. The funding for Violence
Against Women Act expires on September 30, 4 days from now.
It is not clear what has taken us so long into coming to the floor
with this measure, because it is a bipartisan measure with great
support throughout the several States and the administration and the
President as well.
But I am finally glad that the leadership has realized what we have
been saying all along, that violence against women is a priority, and
we cannot let the funds or the programs run out.
In 1994, the Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act to
address the nationwide problem of domestic violence and sexual assault.
VAWA provided funding to combat the violence that is visited upon
almost 900,000 women each year by either their current spouse or former
spouse or boyfriend. This is not a good scene. In addition, VAWA has
made changes to our civil and criminal laws to address domestic
violence and sexual assault.
In part, as a result of Violence Against Women Act, intimate partner
violence has decreased 21 percent from 1993 to 1998. Nevertheless,
domestic violence is still experienced by hundreds of thousands of
women each year. There are still demographic groups that need better
access to services and the criminal justice system. Predominantly among
them are people who have not had their immigrant status resolved and
are not yet citizens but are subject to lots of unnecessary violence.
This is where H.R. 1248, our bill, comes in. This bill continues
funding for the Violence Against Women Act programs such as law
enforcement and prosecution grants to combat violence against women,
the National Domestic Violence Hot Line so necessary to anything we are
doing in this area, the battered women's shelters and services, the
education and training for, not only judges, but court personnel and
police, the pro-arrest policies, the rural domestic violence and child
abuse enforcement, the stalker reduction program, and others.
Importantly, this bill takes preliminary steps to address dating
violence, an area which was left out of the previous Violence Against
Women law, and provides serious consequences for those who violate this
provision. Young women between the ages of 16 and 24 surprisingly
experience the highest rates of violence by current or former intimate
partners. And 40 percent of the teenage girls between the ages of 14
and 17 report knowing someone their age who has been beaten or struck
by a boyfriend.
Although the majority cut back the original bill's dating violence
program, we were at least able to preserve coverage for dating violence
in the most critical areas.
In addition, I hope that, as we move forward, we will be able to
restore the bill's original protections for populations underserved
because of alienage status, religion, and sexual orientation. In the
Committee on the Judiciary, the majority stripped these groups from the
bill's definition of underserved populations. I regret that very much.
The majority also blocked amendments that would have added needed
protections for battered immigrant women. I look forward to
conferencing this bill with the Senate bill that contains many of these
provisions.
My last disappointment was that we were refused the ability to
include any provisions to ensure that the civil legal remedy in
Violence Against Women complies with the recent Supreme Court decision,
U.S. v. Morrison, which struck down a provision in the original
Violence Against Women Act that guarantees that all victims of gender-
motivated crimes had unencumbered access to courts to seek civil
damages against their assailants.
So we have introduced another bill that restores the civil legal
remedy of Violence Against Women, H.R. 5021. Although there is precious
little time left in this session, I hope that the Republican leadership
will join with all of us on both sides of the aisle that want this
measure brought to the floor, just as they have done with H.R. 1248.
I also want to commend the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde)
for his work on this and other measures during his 6 years as chairman
of the House Committee on the Judiciary and which I have been
privileged to serve as the ranking member.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Conyers) for his generous comments as always.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as she may consume to
the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella).
Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, boy am I excited about this. I want to
thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), the Chairman of the
Committee on the Judiciary, for yielding the time, for his leadership,
and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers), the ranking member of
the committee.
I was thinking as I was sitting here in anticipation, it was Abraham
Lincoln who said ``The world will little note nor long remember what we
say here.'' I will say we will always know what we did here by virtue
of reauthorizing this Violence Against Women Act.
Indeed, the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde) has really been
the leader of a number of champions and a champion himself to enable
Congress to continue the commitment that we made in 1994 to eradicate
domestic violence in our society. Under the leadership of the gentleman
from Illinois, his House Committee on the Judiciary did add several
strong bipartisan amendments which strengthened H.R. 1248.
For millions of women, reauthorizing VAWA means maintaining the link
to life without fear or pain, a right that everyone deserves and a
right that we have a duty to protect. Maybe we can only imagine what
life would be like to be terrified of the one we love, to fear how our
children will be affected by violence, to see what they see and feel in
their own homes.
Every year in this country, over 3 million children watch as their
mother is beaten. As they become adults, some
[[Page H8095]]
will overcome the sadness of their childhood. But many others will
develop the only behavior they know, continuing the cycle of abuse.
Violence Against Women Act provides that link to life free from fear
and violence. Without Federal laws, VAWA grants enable States to create
solutions to meet local needs that would not happen.
When Congress passed VAWA in 1994, we provided tens of thousands of
battered women with hope. Every month, the National Domestic Violence
Hot Line answers 13,000 calls for help. Since its inception, the hot
line has helped 500,000 victims reach local shelters, with counseling,
and legal services.
Of the many VAWA grant programs, the battered women's shelters
provide the safety that every victim seeks for themselves and their
children. Across the country, shelters overflow. They are crowded.
Women and children seeking a safe place to sleep, but are turned away.
All the hot lines, counseling and education programs combined are not
effective unless victims can be safe.
Mr. Speaker, 5 years ago, I was involved with the passage of the
Violence Against Women Act which was the first time that Congress
recognized how domestic violence adversely affects so many women of all
ages and very often their children. Federally funded programs currently
provide training for law enforcement, judicial personnel, enable the
hot line, counselors and shelters to provide safe alternatives for
victims while helping them to rebuild their lives and the lives of
their children.
Domestic violence and sexual assault have stained our country's
social fabric, shattering lives and inflicting much pain on thousands
of families. The intervention of Federal legislation has helped develop
a network of local coalitions and organizations dedicated to helping
victims in their community.
The statistics on family violence are staggering. Over 2,000 women
are reportedly raped every week, and 30 percent of all female murder
victims are killed by their husband or significant other.
Mr. Speaker, these grants and programs are giving victims a second
chance. They must be maintained to continue the commitment that we in
Congress made in 1994 to provide women and children alternatives to
living with the fear and danger of domestic violence and child abuse.
Domestic violence is a national tragedy that can only be battled by
awareness and access to a safe, alternative life-style. Public
awareness empowers victims to seek help instead of living with this
secret in fear. We know that anyone can be a victim regardless of race,
region, or socioeconomic status. VAWA programs currently support
efforts across the country to keep victims safe and rebuild the lives
of women, children and families.
There are so many people to thank, Mr. Speaker: The 240 cosponsors on
the House side, the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde). The
gentleman from Florida (Mr. McCollum), the subcommittee chairman did a
wonderful job. I thank the sponsors of valuable additions on the
Committee on the Judiciary: The gentleman from Florida (Mr. McCollum)
for the safe havens for children transitional housing.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, will the gentlewoman yield?
Mrs. MORELLA. Indeed I will yield to the gentleman from Illinois.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I just want to point out that the gentlewoman
from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) deserves the fullest accolades of the
chief sponsor of this legislation. She has been on the point. She has
urged us, tugged us, pulled us, cajoled us, made us move forward on
this. Her leadership has been indispensable, and we salute her.
Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois. But
it has become a partnership, and the partnership deserves credit on
both sides of the aisle.
The gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) has worked very hard on it.
I want to also pick up on the amendments: The gentleman from Arkansas
(Mr. Hutchinson) for the improved civil legal assistance grant program;
the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Baldwin) for training for elderly
women and women with disabilities. The gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Conyers), ranking member has worked very hard on it.
That partnership, it is kind of like the template for what we should
be doing in Congress, because it reached out to organizations also that
also were there inch by inch, moving along: The National Coalition
Against Domestic Violence with Julie Fulcher; the National Network to
End Domestic Violence; the Now Legal Defense and Education Fund,
National Task Force on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault; RAINN,
Rape Abuse and Incest National Network; and National Council for Jewish
Women.
I also want to say one thing. I believe in a paraphrase of the 23rd
Psalm, ``My rod and my staff, they comfort me'' and prepare the papers
for me in the presence of my constituents. This has been darn good
staff work. Very good staff work.
I wanted to say that the staff on the majority side, Dan Bryant, Carl
Thorsen have been fantastic. The staff on the minority side have been
great. The leadership staff, Paul McNulty. We could not have done it
without them. My staff person, Kate Dickens. I thank all of them.
I hope we will have a unanimous vote on this. I thank people on both
sides of the aisle for the wonderful work they have done.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to yield 2 minutes to
the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) who has worked on this in
committee and out of committee with the public organizations.
(Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise
and extend her remarks.)
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this afternoon we can spend
all of our time thanking all of the leaders. I thank the gentlewoman
from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Conyers), ranking member, and the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman
Hyde) for working together.
There are so many others that we want to applaud and the women of the
House and the men of the House who worked on this.
But, Mr. Speaker, let me just simply say that, although domestic
violence is a sick, criminal, and senseless act, it is alive and well.
Just yesterday I heard testimony from a woman in my district whose
face was disfigured because a male family member shot her point-blank
in the face.
{time} 1245
I cite the glaring headlines in Houston of a murder-suicide, the
husband killing the wife and leaving four children without parents. In
a July 2000 study, it was reaffirmed that domestic violence is alive
and well. This bill is crucial, it is necessary, it is imperative.
Mr. Speaker, 24.8 percent of surveyed women and 7.6 percent of
surveyed men said they were raped or physically assaulted by a current
or former spouse, cohabiting partner, or date at some time. Among women
who were victimized multiple times by the same partner, 62.6 percent of
the rape victims and 69.5 percent of the assault victims said their
victimization lasted a year or more. Multiple times of assault and
victimization. Almost 5 percent of U.S. women are stalked at some time
in their life and approximately 500,000 women are stalked annually.
This bill is a joy to be reauthorized, for it helps all of our
States. My State of Texas will get $50 million. I am an advisory member
of the Houston Area Women's Center, and I used to sit on the board. I
know their needs are strong and they are viable. This bill will help us
solve some of the problems and correct the ills.
I hope that we will be able to fix the Supreme Court decision in H.R.
521 that will help us provide a vehicle for those who have been kept
out of work to be able to recover their lost damages because they have
been victimized by those who have abused them.
I would ask my colleagues to unanimously support the reauthorization
of VAWA, and I thank all of those who have worked so hard on this
legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1248, the Violence Against
Women Act of 1999 [VAWA]. Domestic violence is a serious issue that
deserves the full attention of this Congress.
I thank Representative Connie Morella for her leadership on this
issue and support the
[[Page H8096]]
full reauthorization of VAWA. When considering the history of violence
against women, we need not look far. The concept that a woman is the
property of a man is firmly rooted in our English definition of family.
Family, derived from the Latin Familia, is defined as ``The total
number of wives, children and slaves belonging to one man.''
Unfortunately, this belief still exists today among many in this
country today. Domestic violence affects women of all cultures, races,
occupations, and income levels. Furthermore, approximately one-third of
the men counseled for battering are professional men who are well
respected in their jobs and communities. According to the National
Crime Victimization Survey data from the Department of Justice, between
1992 and 1996, over 150,000 women were victims of violent crimes.
Although domestic violence affects women across all racial and
economic lines, a high percentage of these victims are women of color.
African-American women account for 16 percent of the women who have
been physically abused by a husband or partner in the last 5 years.
African-American women were the victims in more than 53 percent of the
violent deaths that occurred in 1997. As a result, the Violence Against
Women Act [VAWA] of 1994 was the congressional response to the growing
problem of domestic violence. VAWA created new criminal enforcement
authority and it enhanced penalties to combat sexual assault domestic
violence in Federal court and since the funding for VAWA I expires at
the end of this fiscal year, it is necessary to reauthorize funding for
these most vital programs.
Mr. Speaker, the dynamics of domestic violence can be as subtle as a
verbal attack or as overt as murder. Battering instills a sense of
control and fear in a victim through a series of behaviors that include
intimidation, threats, psychological abuse, isolation and physical
violence. Nationwide, one out of every four women of all women is
battered at some point in their lives. Every 15 seconds a woman is
beaten. Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women
between the ages of 15 to 44. Close to 22 to 35 percent of the women
who visit emergency rooms are there for injuries related to domestic
abuse. Violence against women destroys families, takes the lives of
women and their children, and it traumatizes the young people who
witness it.
States are increasingly recognizing that 42 states and the District
of Columbia now include domestic violence as a factor in custody
decisions. Children who witness violence at home often display
emotional and behavioral disturbances. Child abuse is 15 times more
likely to occur in families where domestic violence is present. It is
well documented that children who witness violence in the home grow up
to repeat the same patterns as adults. Men who have witnessed their
parents' domestic violence are three times as likely to abuse their own
wives. The National Institute for Justice reports that being abused as
a child increases the likelihood of arrest as a juvenile by 53 percent
and as an adult by 38 percent.
The tragedy of violence against women is not just a personal
problem--it is a community crisis. Violence against women has many
economic ramifications including health care costs, employment,
housing, and social and legal services. Medical expenses from domestic
violence total at least $3 to $5 billion each year. This includes costs
for emergency room care and hospitalization, mental health counseling,
substance abuse treatment, and health care costs for children. We must
recognize that businesses lose up to $100 million a year in lost wages,
sick leave and absenteeism. It is estimated that 25 percent of these
workplace problems are due to domestic violence. Battered women suffer
from lost productivity due to illness, inability to concentrate and
frequent absenteeism. This is why it is necessary to include provisions
like the Victims Employment Rights Act that would and tax incentives
for employers that would encourage large and small businesses to train
their employees to recognize the special needs of victims of domestic
violence.
Moreover, violence in teen dating relationships is also widespread.
Between 25 and 40 percent of teens are reported to have been assaulted
by dates and 60 percent of all rapes reported the rape crisis centers
are committed by acquaintances with the majority of these victims
between the ages of 16 and 24 years. This is why it is necessary to
include ``dating violence'' in the definition of domestic violence so
that we do not ignore the unique circumstances of dating violence
victims. Housing is another significant economic concern that should
have been addressed in H.R. 1248. Because many women are economically
dependent on their batterers, shelters are vital to assist these women
with some form of transitional housing.
This bill, H.R. 1248 does reauthorize grant funding for the training
and education of court personnel and I applaud this inclusion. We must
not forget that criminal justice and the legal system are affected by
incidences of domestic violence. Frequent reports to police and
appearances in court are common. Most police reports and court
appearances are due to abusers who stalk their victims. Immigrant women
are also vulnerable to domestic violence because of the jeopardy of
their immigrant status that is exacerbated by economic dependency. Also
many immigrant women are dependent on their abusers for legal status.
Unfortunately, this is not adequately addressed in H.R. 1248, but I am
hopeful that this issue will be properly addressed in the future.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to bring awareness to the specific
problems within my State of Texas. In Texas, there were 175,725
incidents of family violence in 1998. An estimated 824,790 women were
physically abused in Texas in 1998. Of all of the women killed in 1997,
35 percent were murdered by their intimate male partners. In 1998, 110
women were murdered by their partners.
An example of the importance of this legislation is the impact that
VAWA grants have had on services in the local community. In Houston, we
have the Houston Area Women's Center which operates a domestic violence
hotline, a shelter for battered women and counseling for violence
survivors. The center provides all of its services for free.
Furthermore, this center maintains an invaluable website that allows
anyone to access information about domestic violence resources and
support networks.
Over 34,000 women in Houston called for counseling services in 1997
for family violence. This counseling included services for women with
children and teenagers who have also survived violence. The shelter
housed 1,062 women and children and assisted close to 2,000 with other
forms of services.
The Texas Council on Family Violence has used VAWA funds for several
projects as well. These include the National Domestic Violence Hotline,
Technical Assistance and Model Policies and Procedures Project, the
Texas Domestic Violence Needs Assessment Project and the Domestic
Violence Rural Education Project. Reauthorization of VAWA will help to
maintain the current level of services and ensure that these projects
are able to continue to provide quality service. These organizations
are vital to women in need of assistance and services. VAWA must be
reauthorized in order for these programs and the many others previously
mentioned to continue and I hope that this body will work together
today to vote in favor of the Violence Against Women Act of 1999.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Arkansas (Mr. Hutchinson).
Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me
this time; and, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of the
Violence Against Women Act of 2000 and its reauthorization.
I congratulate the congressional leadership for bringing this bill to
the floor; to the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella), who has
done such an outstanding job in her leadership, and the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Hyde) for leading it through the committee.
This legislation authorizes and improves programs created by the
Violence Against Women Act. Among some provisions that are very
important to me, it provides civil legal assistance to the victims of
domestic violence and sexual assault. It establishes uniform standards
for sexual assault examination and creates a domestic violence task
force to report to Congress on any duplication or overlapping of
Federal efforts to address domestic violence.
As a practicing lawyer, the civil legal assistance, I see, as very
critical. And this is the reason this amendment was offered in
committee, that would allow Legal Services Corporation funding to be
spent on behalf of these victims. Whenever they come into an office,
whenever they are victimized, they need not only a shelter but they
need legal assistance to have access to the courts.
During the last 6 years that these programs have been authorized, it
has made a crucial difference in the lives of women and children who
have been victimized by domestic violence. In my home State of
Arkansas, the program funds 95 percent of the domestic violence
shelters available to battered women; it funds three personnel to train
prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and shelter workers on how to
help battered women. It funds a DNA analysis machine critical to
identifying the identity of sexual assaulters. It has been instrumental
in solving some violent crimes.
[[Page H8097]]
These funds, Mr. Speaker, are critically important to our State, and
Congress must continue to support the comprehensive community-based
efforts to keep victims safe and hold offenders accountable.
Reauthorizing this legislation is an important act of this Congress,
and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
Wisconsin (Ms. Baldwin); and I apologize to everyone in advance,
especially the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald),
for the constriction in time that we are under.
Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, the Bureau of Justice statistics recently
released a report that contains encouraging news. Overall violence
against women has declined in recent years. I credit the Violence
Against Women Act and local and State programs that it has supported
over the last 6 years.
But our work is far from done. Domestic violence and sexual assault
are still a scourge on our Nation. The statistics are chilling. Nearly
one in three women will experience physical or sexual assault during
their lifetimes. These horrible crimes damage lives and tear families
apart. We must do all we can to stop the cycle of violence in our
country. VAWA is a proven part of that solution.
Mr. Speaker, I have worked towards this day and this vote for many
months with the author of this bill, the distinguished members of the
Committee on the Judiciary, and committed activists from across the
country. Now we must move the reauthorization of VAWA through the last
steps and ensure that it is passed into law this session.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that both sides may
have an additional 5 minutes for debate.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). Without objection, each side
is recognized for an additional 5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
California (Mrs. Bono), one of the most productive and useful members
of our Committee on the Judiciary.
Mrs. BONO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1248, which
reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act.
In California's's 44th Congressional District, organizations like
Shelter From the Storm are making tremendous strides in addressing the
emotional and physical pain which comes from domestic violence. During
my many visits to the shelter, I have witnessed the love and dedication
of those who work and volunteer there. In speaking with the many women
who have sought out the shelter as a last refuge, I have seen the fear
in their eyes and heard of the hope in their hearts. For the women and
children who find themselves in the traumatic situation of having to
escape abuse, often having to leave all they love and know behind,
Shelter From the Storm stands ready to help.
Mr. Speaker, we owe it to this shelter and others around this country
to help them in this effort; to help these victims find a new and much
better life. By supporting the Violence Against Women Act, we can make
a modest contribution towards addressing this dire concern.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy).
Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding me
this time.
There are 4 days left under the existing authorization of the
Violence Against Women Act. Thank goodness we were able to take the
action today so that hopefully there will not be any gap whatsoever in
the authorization for this legislation. The fight against domestic
violence is simply too important for us to signal somehow that this
authorization and our commitment to this fight is going to be
disrupted.
In my own State of North Dakota in 1999 there were 5,800 incidents of
domestic violence and 3,600 victims reporting to State crisis
intervention centers. The programs and the funding that flow from this
authorization are critically linked to the fight so admirably waged by
the advocates on the ground helping these victims. The fight is just
too important to walk away from; and I am very pleased and commend all
who, in a bipartisan manner, have brought this matter to the floor
today for our action.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Royce).
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
Mr. Speaker, every year, and this year again, we will have several
million women in this country who are attacked by their ex-husbands or
by ex-boyfriends. There will be half a million who are stalked. Four
thousand of these women will die. These are at times silent cries, with
the victims not knowing where or to whom they can turn for help.
This horrifying reality is a call for us to ensure that women and law
enforcement, local law enforcement, have the resources necessary to
escape abuse. That is why I am a cosponsor of this bill to reauthorize
the Violence Against Women Act.
I think it is important for us to recognize that since it was
authorized in 1994, we have seen a reduction by 21 percent of the level
of violence committed against women and children by their spouses or by
their partners. Thanks to this bill, more than 300,000 women who were
seeking a safe haven have received much-needed shelter. I urge its
passage today.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Nadler), a member of the Committee on the Judiciary who has
been committed to this measure.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, reauthorization of the Violence Against
Women Act is urgently needed, for reasons we have already heard. It is
disgraceful not only that consideration of the reauthorization of this
bill has been delayed until only days before it expires, but also that
some Members of the other body have stated that VAWA will be attached
to controversial bankruptcy legislation as a sweetener to get Members
who object to that bill to vote for a combined bill.
Joining these two bills would be a cynical and desperate ploy to try
to obtain enactment of a bankruptcy bill that injures women and their
families, injures consumers and small businesses, and which no longer
will have a provision that would prevent those who use threats and
violence to harass women and their doctors from using the Bankruptcy
Code to evade their lawful fines under the Freedom of Access to Clinic
Entrances Act. We cannot make an anti-woman and anti-family bill like
that acceptable by attaching a popular and worthwhile measure, which
should easily have passed on its own months ago. As Joan Entmacher, of
the National Women's Law Center, has put it, ``This is not a sweetener,
it's extortion.''
I call on the other body to do the right thing and pass the Violence
Against Women Act on its own stand-alone bill. Let us continue to
debate the many flaws of the proposed bankruptcy bill separately. But I
urge the other body to not use battered, abused, and murdered women,
who do not have the millions to lobby Congress, to give a gift to the
banks and creditors. Let us pass this with bipartisan support today,
pass it unencumbered to the Senate, and send it to the President.
Mr. Speaker, reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act is
urgently needed for reasons we have already heard. Every day four women
die in this country as a result of ``domestic violence''--the euphemism
for murders and assaults by husbands and boyfriends. That's
approximately 1,400 women a year. Estimates indicate that every year
1.2 million women are forcibly raped by their current or former male
partners. This bill is a crucial first step in addressing this horrific
situation. It is disgraceful that this bill, which has overwhelming
support in both houses, is coming up just a few short days before
authorization for VAWA is set to expire. This delay is as irresponsible
as it is unnecessary. We have a lot more work to do to reduce violence
in our communities and in our families. We could add to the bill before
us dozens of ways to strengthen its provisions, but at the very least,
let us pass this underlying bill with bipartisan support today, pass it
unencumbered in the Senate, and send it to the President.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from
New York (Mrs. Kelly).
Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the
Violence Against Women Act of 1999. Today's Washington Post includes an
editorial in support of H.R. 1248. The column states, ``There seems to
be no good reason, practical or substantive, to oppose reauthorization
of the Violence Against Women Act.''
[[Page H8098]]
Mr. Speaker, this editorial hits the nail on the head. The U.S.
Department of Justice has estimated that between one and four million
women are physically abused by their husbands or live-in partners each
year. There is violence in one out of four American homes. Justice also
reports that up to 40 percent of teenage girls, age 14 to 17, report
knowing someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend.
Family violence costs the Nation upwards of $10 billion annually in
medical expenses, police and court costs, shelters and foster care,
sick leave, absenteeism and nonproductivity. And, Mr. Speaker, I have
only touched on the tip of the iceberg.
Unlike many people, we are in a position to help turn these
statistics around. We can begin by passing this bill today and help
thousands of men and millions of women who face abuse in their own
homes to feel a little safer knowing that we are here, that we are
listening, and that we will once again fulfill our promise and continue
to supply the resources to help them escape from abuse and end the
cycle of violence.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my good friend, the gentlewoman
from Maryland (Mrs. Morella), for her tireless efforts on behalf of
these men and women; and especially my friend, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Hyde); and my friend, the gentleman from Florida (Mr.
McCollum), who all helped move the legislation forward. I urge my
colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Lofgren), a member of the Committee on the Judiciary,
who has been tireless on this measure.
Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I urge every Member of this body to vote
for this measure. For years, before I was elected to Congress, I served
on the County Board of Supervisors in Santa Clara County. It was in
that capacity that I really started to understand domestic violence.
In the year before I became a Member of Congress, we did a survey of
our county hospital and found that over one-third of the emergency room
visits to the county hospital were related to domestic violence. We
know that nationwide a third of the women who are murdered every year
are murdered in the course of domestic violence by an intimate partner,
and that 20 percent of all violent crimes against women are related to
domestic violence.
This authorization will provide $92.5 million to the State of
California to help women who are victims of domestic violence. I know
firsthand, from the shelter in my neighborhood in San Jose, that women
need to be able to escape with their children to safety as a first step
to removing themselves from this violence. This act is essential in
providing those resources.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Washington (Ms. Dunn), who has been a leader in this struggle for
women's rights.
{time} 1300
Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the Violence
Against Women Act, or VAWA as we know it.
We have heard today how instrumental this act has been in helping
women who are victims of domestic violence.
In my district in Washington State, Eastside Domestic Violence finds
women and children anonymous housing, counseling, jobs, and makes the
initial transition out of a violent home a little bit easier for a
woman.
The physical and mental abuse these women suffer can be astounding,
and women's shelters like Eastside Domestic Violence are crucial in
helping them take their first, most difficult step toward freedom.
Last year, I co-chaired the Bipartisan Working Group on Youth
Violence with my colleague on the Democrat side, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Frost). The 24 Republicans and Democrats who comprised the
Working Group heard frequently from law enforcement, academia, and
family groups that a primary contributor to youth violence is violence
in the home. Children raised in homes where there is violence are more
prone to be violent offenders themselves.
Unfortunately, once these children and their mothers are taken out of
a violent home, too often they do not receive proper counseling. With
this bill, we will reach more young people in need of counseling and a
safe environment where they can be taught that violence is not the way
to deal with conflict. We must break the cycle of violence.
Mr. Speaker, reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act is one of
the most important things we can do to stop youth violence and family
violence. I urge my colleagues to support this important measure.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Millender-McDonald), the vice co-chair of the Women's
Caucus who worked so hard on this.
Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I thank all of those who are
responsible for bringing this piece of legislation to the floor,
especially the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella).
Mr. Speaker, this comprehensive law sends a clear message across the
Nation: violence against women is a crime, and punishment for this
crime will be enforced.
While the Violence Against Women Act has had a positive impact on
communities across the Nation, there is still much work to be done.
Violence still devastates the lives of too many women and children.
Nearly one-third of women murdered each year are killed by their
partners. Domestic violence accounts for over 20 percent of all violent
crime against women in America. Over 300,000 women were raped and
sexually assaulted in 1999 alone, Mr. Speaker, and approximately 1
million women are stalked each year.
The State of California, which I represent, maintains 23 sexual
assault response teams, 13 domestic violence response teams, and scores
of domestic violence advocates located in the State.
The Violence Against Women Act must be reauthorized. We cannot turn
our backs on women in need of protection and care. I urge passage of
this bill.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New
Hampshire (Mr. Bass), the great granite State.
Mr. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of the Committee on the
Judiciary for yielding me the time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise as a supporter and cosponsor of the Violence
Against Women Act. I cannot go further without thanking my colleague
the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) for the enormous energy
and persistence that she has displayed in pushing this bill forward in
a just-in-time fashion.
As we have heard before, the Department of Justice estimates that up
to 4 million women are physically abused by their husbands or live-in
partners each year. This is absolutely unacceptable.
Family violence costs this Nation upwards of 10 billion annually in
medical expenses, police and court costs, shelters and foster care,
sick leave, absenteeism, and non-productivity. But the real toll on
America is really more costly than that. It is non-quantifiable.
What domestic violence really is is probably the saddest aspect of
our culture in our civilization. And there is no victim worse than the
children that are in these households and that are subject to the types
of problems that exist in areas where there is physical and emotional
abuse in the household.
For the past 5 years, the Violence Against Women Act has helped
address these underlying causes and has provided desperately needed
crisis services for victims and survivors. VAWA has paid special
attention to rural towns and counties where previously there had been
no organized efforts.
I believe that State and local governments should do more to prevent
these abuses, but the Federal Government must play a role if we are to
continue with the successes of VAWA.
Mr. Speaker, we are now in a position to move the successes of the
past forward and we can only do this by passing H.R. 1248, the Violence
Against Women Act.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
New York (Mrs. Lowey) who has worked very hard on this measure.
(Mrs. LOWEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend her
remarks.)
[[Page H8099]]
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Violence
Against Women Act.
Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my colleagues on both sides of the
aisle, especially my good friend the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs.
Morella) for her hard work to reenact this landmark law.
In just 6 years, VAWA has provided over $1.5 billion to support
prosecutors, law enforcement, courts, shelters, support services, and
prevention programs to combat violence against women. And it has
worked.
The Department of Justice reported earlier this year that intimate
partner violence fell by over 20 percent from 1993 through 1998. In my
district, the Queens County District Attorney has more than doubled the
rate of conviction for domestic violence-related crimes since his
office started to receive VAWA funding. But there is so much more to
do.
I am so pleased that my legislation that I introduced has been
included in this bill, the Access to Safety and Advocacy Act, which
will significantly expand civil legal assistance for victims of
domestic violence and sexual assault. The bill will increase Federal
funding and do so many other good things. And every woman deserves to
feel and be safe in her home, her workplace, and her community.
I thank my colleagues again for moving this bill.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to
the distinguished gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran).
Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman
from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) for yielding me the time to rise in support of
H.R. 1248. I also want to thank the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs.
Morella) for introducing this important legislation. I, too, am a
cosponsor of H.R. 1248.
This legislation was originally passed in 1994 and has made a
critical difference in the lives of women and children endangered by
domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse in my State of
Kansas. We must continue our efforts to prevent this type of violence.
Over the last 5 years, the State of Kansas has received in excess of
$9.4 million to combat violence against women. These funds have helped
our communities increase victim safety, access to services and
investigation, and prosecution of domestic violence and child abuse
cases. This bill helps pay for 27 domestic violence shelters and local
programs in our very rural State. Each year these programs serve more
than 16,000 Kansans and respond to more than 38,000 crisis calls. While
we have made some important strides in our State against reducing
violence against women, lives remain at risk every day.
Reauthorization of this legislation is a vital investment in our
country's future. With this authorization, programs and services
expiring October 1, 2000, will be renewed. This act is a responsible
piece of legislation that helps fulfill our commitment to making our
streets and homes safer for women and children.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter) a distinguished member of the
Committee on Rules.
Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, 15 years ago, our greatest challenge was
convincing Americans that domestic violence was a real problem. Many
women knew too well that we were in the midst of a deadly epidemic, but
the culture of silence that surrounded the issue made it difficult for
them to speak out or get help. Being a victim of domestic violence was
a source of fear and shame. Many women were trapped in these situations
without any means of escape.
Furthermore, it was trivialized by law enforcement, by the judicial
system, by health care providers, and even sometimes by friends,
family, and neighbors.
I am proud to have been an original coauthor of this bill and a
leader among the Members who fought for its passage. But I must remind
everybody, it was enormously controversial. Many Members objected to
its passage strenuously. My colleagues and I worked long and hard to
convince them otherwise and finally secured its inclusion in the
omnibus crime passage.
VAWA, which catapulted domestic violence onto the national agenda,
provided Federal support for programs like shelters for battered women
and their children, education for law enforcement officers and judges,
and resources for prevention and education. I was also the author on
that bill to protect immigrant spouses.
I urge passage of the bill, and I thank the gentlewoman from Maryland
(Mrs. Morella) for saving it from extinction.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to
the very distinguished gentleman from the Nutmeg State, Connecticut
(Mr. Shays).
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me the
time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Violence Against Women
Act. This legislation needs to be reauthorized.
I commend the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), the gentlewoman
from Maryland (Mrs. Morella), the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers)
and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. McCollum) for their tireless
efforts to bring this vital piece of legislation to the floor.
The scourge of domestic violence must be ended. Perpetrators of these
reprehensible crimes must be punished and victims must have support
services available to help them transition to a normal life.
This law has substantially reduced the level of violence committed
against women and children by their spouses, partners and fathers.
Since it was signed into law in 1994, the Violence Against Women Act
has strengthened criminal laws and provided funding to enhance their
enforcement. It has also provided a foundation for a successful long-
term criminal justice effort to end violence against women.
By encouraging collaboration among police, prosecutors and victims
service providers, the Violence Against Women Act is providing a
comprehensive community response to violence against women across the
country. Violence Against Women Act grants have made a difference in
the lives of women and their families.
Authorization of this critical set of programs expires in just four
days. It would simply be irresponsible of this body to fail to
reauthorize this important legislation before adjourning. I urge my
colleagues to support the legislation.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the
honorable gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).
Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this
legislation, which reauthorizes the National Domestic Violence Hotline,
headquartered in my hometown of Austin, Texas.
This hotline has seen a steady rise in its calls from around the
country that it so effectively handles. In 3 years, the number of calls
has almost doubled to over 142,000 each year. Hotline Director, Shun
Thompson, and her staff have capably ensured that those in crisis are
referred to local community services across America.
Further, this legislation is vital to community organizations like
SafePlace in Austin, so ably led by Executive Director Kelly White and
Board Chairman Donna Stockton Hicks. The professional staff and
numerous community volunteers at SafePlace provide a number of
innovative programs in addition to the traditional counseling, domestic
violence emergency shelters and transitional housing.
One of these is ``Expect Respect,'' a program that focuses on raising
respect and preventing domestic violence among our youngest Austinites
in elementary and secondary schools.
Because today's bill has been presented under a procedure that
permits no amendments, I am unable to offer my proposal, the ``Domestic
Violence Economic Security Act,'' which would authorize temporary
unemployment compensation for those victims of domestic violence who
have a reasonable fear of violence in the workplace. It ensures that no
victim who leaves a job because of a reasonable fear of violence is
denied help.
In this country, a woman is battered every 15 seconds--nearly 6,000
women a day. This public health problem must be given top priority, and
we can begin that focus by reauthorizing the ``Violence Against Women
Act.'' But there
[[Page H8100]]
is so much more work on domestic violence for the next Congress to
undertake.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 1 minute to the
distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Ose).
(Mr. OSE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me the time.
In the interest of time constraints, I will be brief.
Mr. Speaker, I do want to note that I am a strong advocate and
cosponsor of this bill. It is interesting. I have three older sisters
and two young daughters; and we need to bring an end to this violence
against women.
The bill itself, under the guidance of the gentlewoman from Maryland
(Mrs. Morella) who, by the way, is to be commended for her strong
advocacy of bringing this to the floor, will give us another leg up on
curing this problem and finally providing some safety and security to
women in our country who otherwise might have to face this terrible
scourge.
Mr. Speaker, in the United States, rape, sexual assault, domestic
violence and stalking affect the lives of millions of women each year
regardless of financial means, race, religion, or country of origin.
Violence not only affects women in their homes, but in their workplace,
schools, and every arena of their lives. The effects of such violence
is felt not only by each individual woman, but by their children,
families, loved ones, employers, and communities.
Five years ago, Congress passed and the President signed into law,
the Violence Against Women Act as part of the 1994 Crime Act. At that
time, VAWA began an ongoing, comprehensive agenda to address violence
against women.
The enactment of VAWA marked the first time that the federal
government committed funds and law enforcement to join state and local
entities within the justice system in responding to violence against
women.
Congress now has the opportunity to continue and extend the fine
programs within VAWA.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline, battered women shelters,
training for judges and other court personnel, counseling services, and
child abuse prevention programs all benefit from H.R. 1248. Today's
bill enhances the original VAWA by including authorization for new
programs regarding dating violence, elder and disabled abuse,
transitional housing, full faith and credit for protection orders, and
supervised visitation centers.
Reauthorizing this legislation will continue the Congressional
commitment to making our streets and homes safe for women and children.
I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.
{time} 1315
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney), cochair of the Women's
Caucus.
(Mrs. MALONEY of New York asked and was given permission to revise
and extend her remarks.)
Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding the time and for his leadership.
With the Violence Against Women Act set to expire and with the 106th
Congress coming to a close, it is critical that we act today to pass
it. The Violence Against Women Act is the most important legislative
action before Congress that has been endorsed by the bipartisan Women's
Caucus.
Enacted in 1994, VAWA has already provided crucial judicial and law
enforcement training on violence against women, shelters for abused
women, a national hotline with over 13,000 contacts each month, and
child abuse prevention programs across this country.
The committee acted to expand it in several ways this year, and I am
pleased that my bill, the Older Americans Protection from Violence Act,
was included in the underlying mark which has grant programs and
aspects that specifically address older and disabled women.
I also would like to join in thanking the Democratic leadership who
more than 2 weeks ago sent a letter to Speaker Hastert demanding a vote
on this bill, as have many Members of Congress.
Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record that letter and an editorial in
support of this legislation.
Washington, DC,
September 20, 2000.
Hon. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House, The Capitol, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Speaker: We are writing to urge immediate
consideration of H.R. 1248, The Violence Against Women Act,
before the 106th Congress adjourns. H.R. 1248 currently has
233 co-sponsors with strong bi-partisan support.
The Violence Against Women Act was originally passed in
1994 as an amendment to the omnibus Crime Bill. The act
authorized over a billion dollars to states for law-
enforcement grants, judicial training, shelters, a national
hotline, child abuse and prevention programs. Thousand of
victims from every state, race, and socio-economic level have
relied on these services for protection from violence for
themselves and their children. We believe that VAWA has saved
lives and helped to re-build even more. Without re-
authorizing this program by its expiration in October of this
year, every state risks losing millions of dollars for
existing programs.
As you may recall, the Congressional Caucus for Women's
Issues met with you earlier this year to discuss this bill,
which remains one of our top priorities.
The bill passed the House Judiciary Committee by voice
vote. Several key amendments were added and approved by the
full Committee, but the bill has yet to reach the House
floor. As you know, jurisdiction over the re-authorization
bill is also held by the Committee on Education and Workforce
and the Committee on Commerce.
We urge you to schedule a vote by the full House before the
end of this session.
Sincerely,
Carolyn B. Maloney
and 81 others.
____
[From the Washington Post, Sept. 26, 2000]
Inexplicable Neglect
There seems to be no good reason, practical or substantive,
to oppose reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.
Originally passed in 1994, the act provides money to state
and local institutions to help combat domestic violence. It
is set to expire at the end of the month. Its reauthorization
has overwhelming bipartisan support. But House and Senate
leaders have yet to schedule a vote.
Versions of the bill have been favorably reported by the
judiciary committees of both chambers. Both would expand
programs that during the past five years have helped create
an infrastructure capable of prosecuting domestic violence
cases and providing services to battered women. Since the
original act was passed, Congress has devoted $1.5 billion to
programs created by it. The House and Senate bills differ,
but both would authorize more than $3 billion in further
support during the next five years. There is room to debate
the proper funding level relative to other priorities, a
matter which will be determined later by appropriators; and
the programs won't end immediately if the act lapses, because
funds have been approved for the coming year. But failing to
reauthorize would send the wrong message on an important
issue and, more important, could threaten future
appropriations.
With time in the 106th Congress running out, the Violence
Against Women Act may become a casualty of neglect rather
than of active opposition. But that's no comfort. Congress
ought to find the time to pass it before leaving town.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).
Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank the
gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) and the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Conyers) for their years of outstanding leadership on the
Violence Against Women Act and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde)
for his leadership as well.
In my home State of Illinois, VAWA has meant over $40 million for
programs that protect hundreds of thousands of women, children and men
who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. I am
also pleased that H.R. 1248 includes language from a bill I introduced,
H.R. 1352, to fund transitional housing programs for women escaping
abuse.
In 1994 with the historic passage of VAWA, Congress sent a clear
message to this Nation that violence against women is not just wrong,
it is a crime. But there were gaps in VAWA 1994 that are addressed in
this legislation today. We can still do more. It is my hope that when
this bill goes to conference, the conferees will accept the Senate's
language that provides desperately needed protections for battered
women.
But the clock is ticking. These critical programs expire in only a
few days. I urge everyone to vote for H.R. 1248.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
Indiana (Ms. Carson), who has worked very hard on the measure.
Ms. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Conyers) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) in the bipartisan
support of H.R. 1248, for which I am a cosponsor. I appreciate very
much the expeditious movement now of H.R. 1248
[[Page H8101]]
prior to the expiration of the authorization on September 30, 2000.
Without being redundant, let me give Members two cases in point that
occurred in my district. One woman had gone down to get a protective
order against a perpetrator of violence against her and her children.
She was at a day care center while the prosecutors and the police
department released the perpetrator out on home monitoring devices at
which time he went out and assaulted the woman and killed her in front
of several other children.
Domestic violence has a perpetual effect, not just the victim who is
injured but people in her family, in her environment and in her
surroundings. I like the fact that this expansion of H.R. 1248 now
includes assistance for immigrants, sexual assault training, and the
inclusion of stalking and domestic violence data into crime statistics.
I urge Members' support. I appreciate the bipartisan nature of which
this bill has moved forward.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).
Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan for
yielding me this time. I would also like to thank him for his
leadership and the leadership of the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs.
Morella) for their advocacy on behalf of women who are victims of
domestic abuse and violence. I praise their efforts. They are
absolutely laudatory in my comments.
This bill reauthorizes a number of important programs that will
improve the quality of life for millions of women and children. It
reauthorizes programs that make a real difference in our communities,
like the STOP grants, the national domestic violence outline, battered
women's shelters, and rape crisis centers.
Just a little while ago, I visited the Passaic County Women's Center
in my district. I saw firsthand how the original Violence Against Women
Act has provided assistance to women in my district. Violence committed
against 500,000 women each year does not discriminate. Women who are
victims of violence are rich and poor, young and old, disabled and
physically healthy, speak little or no English or the Queen's English.
I urge the passage of this legislation.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 1 minute to the
gentleman from Puerto Rico (Mr. Romero-Barcelo), the former governor of
Puerto Rico.
Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan
(Mr. Conyers) for yielding me this time.
I rise in strong support for the Violence Against Women Act.
Authorization for this program will end October 1, and it is important
that we reauthorize it so the critical programs administered under the
act will continue to receive adequate levels of funding.
Mr. Speaker, each year more than 1 million acts of intimate-partner
violence occur. Eighty-five percent of these assaults are committed
against women. Women are two to three times more likely to be seriously
or fatally injured in acts of sexual assault and domestic violence than
men. Because women are disproportionately the victims of sexual
assaults, it is appropriate and necessary that we target most of our
funding for sexual assaults for women. As a child, I was taught by my
mother that to hit a woman was a cowardly act and that a man who would
hit a woman was a coward.
The Violence Against Women Act funds such important programs as the
national domestic violence hotline, rape prevention education, youth
education, and domestic violence and battered women's shelters and
services. Women urgently need domestic and sexual assault services. The
Violence Against Women Act has laid the groundwork to provide these
services. It is critical that we build upon this foundation by
reauthorizing this act before this legislation session concludes.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).
Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.
Ladies and gentlemen of this House, over a quarter of a century ago
as president of the Maryland Senate, I led an effort to revise
extensively the sexual offense statutes of the State of Maryland. Those
statutes were premised on the perception of women as chattel, as
somehow less than subject to full protection of the law, particularly
from their spouses and intimate partners.
We amended those statutes very substantially. We passed violence
against women. Millions and millions of women this day throughout the
world will be subjected to violent acts because of their gender. They
are perceived by their societies to be subject by their male
counterparts to such treatment.
It is critically important that we pass overwhelmingly this statute
and make a very strong statement to everybody in America and everybody
around the world that we respect individuals for their individuality.
Pass this bill.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Maine (Mr. Baldacci).
Mr. BALDACCI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan for
yielding me this time, and I thank him for his leadership and the
leadership of the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) also in
advancing this along with the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde).
This is a serious national problem stretching coast to coast. This
needs to be reauthorized. In my own State of Maine, we needed to
undertake a raising of the priority of this into a crime and
recognizing with law enforcement and court personnel that women needed
to make sure that these laws were being enforced.
The resources from this act give badly needed moneys to States so
that they can develop shelters and protections in transition, so people
can move out of that, and particularly women and children, because the
impact is onto the family and onto the children; and it is happening
generation after generation after generation.
I want to commend the authors and tell them how vitally important it
is in working at this and to let those perpetrators know that
bipartisanly we stand together, it is important, it is a crime and it
should not be happening. I urge the passage of this.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I believe that this measure, passed unanimously out of the Committee
on the Judiciary, has reached a point where we can pass it just in the
nick of time before the September 30 expiration. As we celebrate this
moment, could we remember that it is merely a step in the right
direction. There is a lot more to do. There are still those in law
enforcement and on the bench in the judiciary who still are not fully
apprised of the seriousness of the violence against women, particularly
wives and girlfriends who are still subject to so much violence.
There is more we can do with our immigrant women who have been
virtually ignored up until this legislation. There are steps yet to be
made. I am hoping that all of those that support this measure will join
with us to work in the next Congress on the next steps that we need to
take to support the measure Violence Against Women.
I thank all those who have participated. Our staffs have been
remarkably effective in this. The Members have been enumerated already.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I just want to thank the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella)
once more for her incredible leadership. I want to thank the gentleman
from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) for his staunch support and suggest that
not every problem requires a Federal solution, but violence against
women and against children is so pervasive, it is so shameful and so
cowardly that a Federal approach to this is entirely appropriate. This
is an excellent one. It is only the beginning, as the gentleman from
Michigan said.
Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone to support this excellent legislation.
Mr. LARSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the
reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. The act, which was
passed into law by a Democratic Congress as part of the 1994 Crime
Bill, is a powerful testament to the commitment of the United States
and this Congress to fighting acts of brutality and cruelty perpetrated
against women.
[[Page H8102]]
The act includes issues that are vital to the safety of every woman
in America, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
It also includes education and training for judges and funding for
programs that are so necessary to protecting the well being of women
that the true worth of the program cannot be measured in dollars.
Although tremendous strides have been made, domestic violence still
devastates the lives of many women and their children. Nearly 900,000
women experience violence at the hands of a partner every year. Nearly
one-third of women murdered each year are killed by a partner, and
violence by intimates accounts for over 20% of all violent crimes
against women.
Reauthorization would continue and expand the domestic violence
hotline, the battered women's shelter programs, and rape prevention
programs as well as expand the investigation and prosecution of violent
crimes against women. It would also provide assistance to a greater
number of victims and support effective partnerships between law
enforcement, victims' advocates, and communities.
I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this authorization that is
so important to the lives of so many women and children so that we may
continue to provide services and assistance that not only improves, but
can also sometimes save a woman's life.
Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of passage
of H.R. 1248, the Violence Against Women Act, of which I am a proud co-
sponsor. I am glad that we will finally have an opportunity to vote on
this vital legislation. I only hope that it is not too late for this
bill to be considered in the Senate and agreed to in conference before
the adjournment of the 106th Congress. It is a pity that consideration
of this bill, which enjoys overwhelming bipartisan support, was
unnecessarily delayed.
The passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 1994 was one
of the greatest accomplishments of the 103rd Congress and the Clinton-
Gore Administration. Since 1995, VAWA grants have provided a major
source of funding for national and local programs to reduce rape,
stalking, and domestic violence. The 1994 Act bolstered the prosecution
of child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence cases; provided
services for victims by funding shelters and sexual assault crisis
centers; increased resources for law enforcement and prosecutors; and
created a National Domestic Violence Hotline.
The bill has been credited with helping to produce a 21 percent
decline in domestic violence between 1993 and 1998.
H.R. 1248 vastly improves VAWA by strengthening the existing
provisions and by adding new provisions to address dating violence,
reach underserved populations, facilitate enforcement of state and
tribal protective orders nationwide, provide transitional housing,
create programs for supervised visitation and exchange for children,
develop training programs on elder abuse for law enforcement personnel
and prosecutors, provide civil legal assistance funds, strengthen the
National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and more.
I urge all of my colleagues to vote for this legislation, which saves
and rebuilds women's and children's lives.
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the reauthorization of
H.R. 1248, the Violence Against Women Act. I am pleased to see that the
Republican leadership has finally brought this piece of bipartisan
legislation to the floor.
Today, the U.S. Department of Justice estimates that between 1 and 4
million women are the victims of domestic and sexual violence in this
country each year. Domestic violence is the number one health risk for
women between the ages of 15 and 44 and currently, women are
disproportionately the victims of violence in the United States.
Since the authorization of this bill in 1994, violence against women
has declined significantly. But this is not enough. The Department of
Justice still estimates that a woman is beaten every 12 seconds in this
country. As long as statistics such as these exist, Congress should
take all necessary measures to help ensure the safety and well being of
women in this country.
I am pleased to support the reauthorization of this legislation. Over
the next five years, it will reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act
in order to maintain and expand the domestic violence hotlines,
battered women's shelter programs and rape prevention programs. In
addition, VAWA will expand the investigation and prosecution of violent
crimes against women, provide assistance to a greater number of victims
and support effective partnerships between law enforcement officials,
victims' advocates and communities. I am also pleased to announce that
my home state of New York will receive $92,661,673 as a result of this
reauthorization to help aid the victims of domestic and sexual
violence.
I believe that now is time for this body to move to help protect the
women of this country. We cannot continue to turn a deaf ear to the
problem of domestic violence anymore.
Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I express my strong support of
the Violence Against Women Act. This Act reflects my belief that we
have not only the ability to protect members of our communities, but
the responsibility to do so. In this case, these members are our
mothers and daughters, our sisters and friends, and ourselves.
The passage of the Violence Against Women Act will change individual
lives. We will reduce domestic violence by reauthorizing funds for
battered women's shelters and a National Domestic Violence Hotline. We
will decrease the incidence of stalking and sexual assault by funding
crime databases and establishing a National Resource Center on Sexual
Assault. We will help heal the emotional scars of these crimes by
offering the services of victim counselors. I believe we can do all of
this, and we must.
The passage of the Violence Against Women Act will also change
communities. VAWA includes provisions for funding local initiatives to
address violence against women. This local involvement demonstrates
that we can change the conditions that make women and children feel
vulnerable or threatened and thus foster a new sense of security for
all. In doing so, we also send a message to communities worldwide that
violence against women deserves attention and action.
I ask my colleagues to listen carefully to all of the women and
members of their families and communities who ask for this bill
passage, and to add your voices to theirs. I am proud to add mine.
Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of re-
authorization of the Violence Against Women Act.
We passed this act as part of the Democratic Crime bill in 1994 and
that was a critical first step in recognizing and addressing the
problems of domestic violence.
When we passed that act, the statistics on domestic violence were
startling: In 1994, 40% of women admitted to the hospital for injuries
were there because of violence from a spouse or significant other.
Battery was the single major cause of injury to women--more than rape,
muggings and auto accidents combined. Even more distressing is the
consensus that only a fraction of all incidents of abuse are reported
to the police. Research shows that women are being abused not only at
home, but at their place of work. This violence is also perpetrated
against young women at colleges and universities.
In late 1994, I put in place a local domestic violence task force,
bringing together community leaders, prosecutors, law enforcement
officials, as well as representatives from some of the leading domestic
violence organizations in my district in Missouri. So far, my home
state has received over $15 million in federal funding as a result of
this act.
And my constituents have consistently sent a simple message about
this law: it works. It works in Missouri because it is making a real
difference in the day-to-day struggle to combat domestic violence in
St. Louis City, south St. Louis County, Jefferson County, and Ste.
Genevieve County. In fact, we have come up with a number of
improvements on this measure, improvements that will make it even more
effective. I look forward to working in Congress to make these changes
next year.
I am glad that the Republican party has finally brought this measure
to the floor, and that it has done so before the authorization expires
later this week. Today's vote, which I urge everyone here to support,
reaffirms America's commitment to fighting domestic violence in every
community. It sends a message that this society will do everything it
can to fight this scourge--to make sure communities have the resources
they need--and that women have the protections they deserve.
Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this
bill. It is late in coming, but better a little late than too late.
We all know Congress is falling behind in its work. Most of the
annual appropriations bills have not been finished. Campaign finance
reform remains stalled. We have not provided a prescription drug
benefit under Medicare. We have not done enough to help our schools or
to help our communities cope with growth and sprawl. We have not
resolved our differences over taxes. And until today the House has not
acted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act--``VAWA''--which is
set to expire at the end of this week.
VAWA is very important for Colorado. Through last year, our state
received almost $15 million in VAWA grants. That money has helped
assist victims of domestic violence, but it has also done much more.
In fact, according to a letter from our Attorney General, Ken
Salazar, and his colleagues from other states, VAWA ``has enabled us to
maximize the effectiveness of our state programs that have made a
critical difference in the lives of women and children endangered by
domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking,''
[[Page H8103]]
VAWA is also important for our country. It has made a difference in
the lives of millions of women by aiding in the prosecution of cases of
domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse, by increasing
services for victims and resources for law enforcement personnel, and
by establishing a National Domestic Violence Hotline.
Partly as a result, crimes against women have decreased by 27% since
VAWA's enactment.
But more remains to be done. More women are injured by domestic
violence each year than by automobile accidents and cancer combined.
More than one-third of all women using emergency rooms are victims of
domestic violence. In 1997 more than 250,000 women and children sought
refuge from domestic violence in women's shelters. More than 300,000
sexual assaults were perpetrated against women in 1998 alone. And every
year more than one million women are targeted by stalkers.
Because I strongly support renewing and strengthening this vital
measure, I have joined in cosponsoring H.R. 1248, the bipartisan VAWA
reauthorization bill that is now before the House. It is supported by
the Administration and more than 200 Members of the House.
The judiciary Committee approved the bill by a unanimous voice vote
on June 27th--a full three months ago--and the bill is only now
reaching the floor, even though many less important measures have been
considered. But, at last, it is here and I urge all Members to join me
in approving it.
If it is approved, it then will be up to the members of the Senate to
take the next vital step. They should promptly send this bill to the
President for signing into law--because VAWA is too important to be
allowed to die from neglect.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R.
1248, legislation to reauthorize the historic Violence Against Women
Act (VAWA) of 1994.
A husband in the presence of his children strikes his wife, sending
her to the floor and blackening her eye. A woman changes her job, phone
number, apartment building and with them, her life, in order to hide
from a stalker. A young woman out jogging on a beautiful late-summer
evening is pulled into the woods and sexually assaulted by a stranger.
All of these frightening things will happen in America today. It's
hard to understand why someone would choose to purposely hurt a woman--
or a child, for that matter. But it happens--more than we care to
think.
Violence against women is a large, often unrecognized, and too
frequently ignored problem in all of our communities. According to the
U.S. Department of Justice, nearly one in three women experiences at
least one physical assault at the hands of a partner. In 1998, nearly 3
out of 4 victims of intimate partner homicide were women. Approximately
1 million are stalked annually. In 1998 alone, an estimated 307,000
women were raped or sexually assaulted.
Six years ago, Congress passed milestone legislation to combat
domestic violence, stalking and sexual assaults. This legislation,
which we are discussing today, is the Violence Against Women Act. VAWA
has been successful in achieving its mission. Statistics show that
violence against women by intimate partners has fallen an astounding 21
percent since enactment of this Act.
The murder rate of partners also is down, with 1,830 murders
attributed to intimate partners in 1998 compared to over 3,000 murders
in 1976. As a result of funding allocated under VAWA, more than 300,000
women and their dependents each year are able to escape their batterers
and find a better life by temporarily going to a local shelter. In my
home state of Illinois, the number of reported criminal sexual assaults
declined 8.2 percent between 1997 and 1998.
But falling statistics, while good news, are not good enough.
Violence continues daily to devastate the lives of thousands of women
and children. This clearly sends a signal that Congress must keep its
commitment to making our streets and homes safe for women and children.
And that calls for reauthorizing and strengthening VAWA, which is
exactly what this body should do today.
As written, H.R. 1248 authorizes $3 billion over the next years to
fund various programs that help state and local efforts to: prosecute
abusers; enforce domestic violence and stalking laws; train law
enforcement and judicial personnel on how to handle such cases; and
provide a hotline and counseling services to battered women. In
addition to continuing these important services, H.R. 1248 strengthens
the existing Act by authorizing funding for a new transitional housing
assistance program to help persons fleeing a domestic abuse situation
and adding clarifying language that allows money under the Act to be
used for date violence prevention. It authorizes $10 million in new
funding to help prevent violence against women with disabilities and an
additional $200,000 for training medical personnel in sexual assault
identification techniques as well.
Mr. Speaker, scratch the surface of any of our nation's most
challenging social problems--from crime in schools to gang violence and
homelessness--and you're likely to find the root cause is domestic
violence. Our country's judges are beginning to find that children
first seen in their courts as victims of domestic violence return later
as adult criminal defendants.
Local law enforcement officials are reporting that domestic violence
situations are among their most frequent calls. Businesses from
California to Maine are starting to recognize that domestic violence,
in the form of absenteeism and reduced employee productivity, has
tremendous economic costs. Schools are noticing that children with
emotional problems often come from environments where violence is the
norm.
What does this tell us? It tells us that violence begets violence,
and it is incumbent on all of us to try to break the cycle. By
strengthening families, promoting strong values, and encouraging
community involvement, that's exactly what the Violence Against Women
Act helps us to do.
Reauthorizing VAWA is a vital investment in this nation's future and
it should be one of our highest priorities. Reauthorizing this Act is
also the right thing to do, and I urge my colleagues to move this
effort forward by voting for H.R. 1248.
Let me conclude by commending the Chairman of the House Judiciary
Committee, my colleague from Illinois, Mr. Hyde, for his strong support
of H.R. 1248 and for his work in getting it to the floor for
consideration. I also commend a real champion of women's issues--
Representative Connie Morella of Maryland--for sponsoring this crucial
legislation. I also thank the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus for
Women's Issues--Representative Sue Kelly and Carolyn Maloney of New
York--for all their hard work on promoting this legislation. Finally,
let me extend my gratitude to the members of my violence against women
advisory committee back in Illinois for their input and useful advice.
Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1248 which
would reauthorize the Violence Against Womens Act (VAWA), landmark
legislation that has made a difference in the lives of children, women
and families. As an early cosponsor of H.R. 1248, I am relieved that
this measure has been brought to the floor before its authorization
expires in five short days.
Enacted in 1994, as part of the Omnibus Crime Bill, VAWA provided for
new federal criminal provisions and grant programs to improve the
criminal justice system's response to domestic violence and sexual
assault and stalking, and to provide critical services to victims.
Since passage, the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services
have awarded over $1.6 billion in VAWA grants nationwide. VAWA grants
provide critical support for the work of prosecutors, law enforcement
officials, the courts, victims' advocates, health care and social
service professionals, and intervention and prevention programs. The
domestic violence hotline established under VAWA has logged over half a
million calls.
Despite the advances we have made under VAWA, domestic violence still
devastates the lives of many women and children with nearly 900,000
women experiencing violence at the hands of their partners every year.
Even today, with the heightened attention domestic violence receives,
nearly one-third of women murdered each year die at the hands of their
partners.
In addition to reauthorizing VAWA for five years, H.R. 1248, as
approved, expands numerous programs, such as a domestic violence
hotline, law enforcement grants for victims' services, prosecution of
perpetrators of violence, battered women's shelters and services,
counselors, rape prevention education, programs against stalkers, and
other related services.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 1248,
legislation to reauthorize VAWA, a vital part of the campaign against
violence and crime. Moreover, Mr. Speaker, I would also urge the
Republican leadership to build on H.R. 1248 and make the Violence
Against Women Office at the U.S. Department of Justice permanent, by
statute, as provided for under H.R. 4848.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, since enactment of the Violence
Against Women Act in 1994, the number of forcible rapes of women have
declined, and the number of sexual assaults nationwide have gone down
as well.
The Justice Department's states nearly 25 percent of surveyed women
and about 7 percent of surveyed men say they have been raped and or
physically assaulted by a current or former spouse or partner at some
time in their lives. This figure, however, is a conservative one that
substantially understates the actual number of families affected by
domestic
[[Page H8104]]
violence because battering is usually not reported until it reaches
life-threatening proportions. In fact, some researches estimate that
one of every two women will be battered at some time in their life.
In Illinois, the Chicago Police Department, the Cook County States
Attorney's Office and various other community and government agencies
have developed the necessary infrastructure, as a result of the passage
of the Violence Against Women Act in 1994.
Mr. Speaker the Violence Against Women Act works. In fact, a recent
Justice report found that intimate partner violence against women
decreased by 21 percent from 1993 to 1998. This is strong evidence that
the state and community efforts born from this act are working. Despite
the success of the Violence Against Women Act, domestic abuse and
violence against women continues to plague our communities.
The Violence Against Women Act must be reauthorized to allow these
efforts to continue without having to worry that this funding will be
lost from year to year.
Mr. Speaker I urge every member of this body to vote for this bill.
Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in strong support of
H.R. 1248, legislation to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.
No woman should have to worry that she will be abused, but studies
show that almost 1.9 million women are physically assaulted each year--
many times at the hands of a husband or boyfriend. Tragically, the
correlation between domestic violence and child abuse is very high.
Even if a child is not physically battered, he or she often does poorly
in school, repeats the pattern of either victim or abuser as an adult
and is more prone to a variety of emotional problems.
Although the overall violent crime rate has dropped 27 percent from
52 to 38 incidents per 1,000 persons, there were more than 30 women and
children that were killed in domestic violence related homicides over
the last three years in my state of Delaware alone. For these women and
children, it is clear that more needs to be done to ensure that our
mothers, sisters, and daughters are safe in their homes and in their
communities.
I was proud to play a role in the passage of the original Violence
Against Women Act, as part of the Violent Crime Control Act of 1994. A
bipartisan coalition of members worked to break the stalemate on the
Crime Bill and get it signed into law. A key part of that legislation
was the Violence Against Women Act. It was enacted to authorize
programs to support the prosecution of violent crimes against women,
encourage arrests in domestic violence incidents, support rural
domestic violence and child abuse enforcement, support rape prevention
and education and provide funding for battered women's shelters. The
legislation before us today renews and expands the original Act to
include some new programs, which includes funds to help victims and
their children flee domestic abuse and then move them from shelters to
self-sufficiency.
I believe that this legislation--and the original Violence Against
Women Act--will continue to reduce the levels of violence committed by
boyfriends and spouses and free women and their children from a life of
abuse, and I am pleased to support its passage by the House today.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1248, the
Violence Against Women Act of 2000 which would re-authorize the 1994
Violence Against Women Act. Part of President Clinton's 1994 Crime Act,
this legislation has been a turning point in our national response to
the problems of domestic violence and sexual assault. I urge passage of
H.R. 1248 so that our nation can continue to address these problems.
Mr. Speaker, if we have learned anything in the last several years
about violence against women, we have learned that no one is immune to
the effects of these crimes. Domestic and sexual violence can be
stopped only when we forge a unified front to combat them. The Violence
Against Women Act has worked and can continue to work as an effective
catalyst for states and communities to share resources and to
collaborate in providing services. Under this legislation, the Violence
Against Women Grants Office has allocated millions of dollars in
Federal Funds to states to support partnerships among law enforcement,
prosecution, the courts, victims' advocates, and providers of health
care and other services across the country.
We must continue and expand these vital programs. H.R. 1248 provides
$3.7 billion to fund over 40 provisions for five years. Of this amount,
$1.1 billion will be allocated to fund and improve existing shelter
services and provide increased financial support for rape crisis
centers and over $1 billion dollars will be used for constructing new
shelters for battered women. Other major elements of the bill address
the needs of battered women in the workplace, focus on sexual assault
on college campuses and in the military, establish new programs for
victims services and fund training for judges.
Mr. Speaker, the 1994 Violence Against Women Act has been a proven
success in helping women across the country to deal with this terrible
tragedy of domestic violence. To continue the success, I strongly urge
my colleagues to support H.R. 1248.
Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong support
for the reauthorization of the 1994 Violence Against Women Act. I urge
the House to pass this vital legislation as soon as possible. Although
the House Republican Leadership has inexcusably delayed bringing up
this bill until four days before the law was due to expire, I am very
pleased that we finally have the opportunity to act on this important
measure.
Last month, I had the opportunity to visit domestic violence and
sexual assault shelters in my district to see firsthand how the federal
government plays a key role in the fight against domestic violence. I
personally met with victims, and I spoke directly with the Directors of
these shelters that provide refuge and crisis-management services to
thousands of women, children and families in my district who have
suffered from domestic violence and sexual assault.
Kim Gauss, the director of the Wesley Shelter in Wilson County, North
Carolina, spoke to me of the importance of taking programs into our
nation's schools. Both Ms. Gauss and Ms. Susan King, the Executive
Director of Haven Shelter in Lee County, North Carolina emphasized the
importance of educating our youth about the cyclical effects of
violence. Although children may not bear obvious bruises and scars,
those who witness violence inside their homes learn that anger equals
violence and that too often adults use violence to solve problems.
These children often experience severe anxiety and helplessness and
they often have problems with anger management and almost always have a
marked decrease in school performance.
By educating and empowering our children and giving them the tools
and resources they need to combat the damaging physical and
psychological effects of violence, we can increase the likelihood that
the cycle of violence will end with them. Without this funding, many
shelters like those in my rural district of Eastern North Carolina
would be unable to provide the essential crisis and preventative
services our communities so desperately need. Many would be forced to
shut their doors altogether.
This past year, the State of North Carolina received $3.5 million in
funding under the Violence Against Women Act. This funding provided
shelters like the Haven and Wesley Shelters in North Carolina with the
necessary resources to cope with family violence and sexual assault.
And it allowed shelters like My Sister's House in Rocky Mount, North
Carolina and the SAFE shelter in Lillington, North Carolina to serve
thousands of North Carolina residents.
Reauthorization of this Act is an essential step in our battle
against violence. Through the community-based services they provide,
domestic violence and sexual assault shelters across the nation
strengthen the social fabric that binds all of us together.
Gone forever should be the days when domestic violence was swept
under the rug as a family matter. Domestic violence is not just a
family matter. Domestic violence is a crime. It is a crisis, and there
is no excuse for failure to act. I call on my colleagues to vote to
pass this important bill without a delay. America's families are
depending on it.
Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, nearly 1.5 million women are the victims of
domestic violence and nearly one in every three adult women experience
at least one physical assault by a partner during adulthood. We must
not only remain committed to fighting sexual abuse, domestic violence
and rape, but also improve our efforts on behalf of these victims. I am
proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation H.R. 1248, which would
reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. This bill would authorize
more than $3 billion in funding and add new programs, including a new
temporary housing grant that would provide funding to help women move
out of shelters, a new grant for legal assistance to women who have
been victims of violence, and grants authorizing help for disabled
women victims.
VAWA has significantly strengthened domestic violence shelters and
services to battered women and children throughout my state of
Wisconsin and across the United States. The Wisconsin Coalition Against
Domestic Violence and the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault,
through the programs in VAWA, have aided thousands of women in my state
and help them cope and survive the tragedies of violence against women.
As a former prosecutor in my home state of Wisconsin, responsible for
prosecuting domestic violence, child abuse, adult and child sexual
assault cases, I've seen first hand the scourge and scars domestic
violence creates.
We are at an important point in our history, a time when the leaders
of our nation have
[[Page H8105]]
made a commitment to stop violence against women and children. Through
the many projects and programs developed through VAWA funding, we have
just begun to clearly articulate the impact of sexual assault and
domestic violence on our country. This legislation is critical in
maintaining the federal commitment to ending this problem in our
society.
I want to thank Chairman Hyde and Mr. Conyers and a number of other
members for their support in bringing this important legislation to the
floor.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1248, the
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and I commend the gentle lady from
Maryland, Mrs. Morella and my colleague the gentleman from Michigan,
Mr. Conyers, for their leadership on this issue.
H.R. 1248 continues the commitment that Congress made in 1990 by
reauthorizing many critical programs that are used daily by women
across this country. This bill reauthorizes grants that will be used to
improve law enforcement and prosecution of violent crimes against
women, grants to encourage arrests in domestic violence incidents,
moneys for rural domestic violence and child abuse enforcement, rape
prevention and education programs, grants for battered women's
shelters, funding for the national domestic violence hotline and
stalker reduction programs.
Moreover, this bill creates new initiatives including transitional
housing for victims of violence, a pilot program aimed at protecting
children during visits with a parent who has been accused of domestic
violence, and protections for the elderly, disabled and immigrant
women.
This legislation also includes grant money for a new program that
will benefit victims of dating violence, which until now has been a
neglected and underserved population.
Domestic violence is something which is learned at home and the
longer that children remain in settings where they witness and
experience this type of abuse, the more likely they are to become
abusers or victims or abuse as adults.
The Violence Against Women Act will help families throughout our
nation. As a cosponsor of this legislation, I urge my colleagues to
vote for H.R. 1248.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1248, as amended.
The question was taken.
Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
____________________
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