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SAVE: Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison Applauded for Principled Stand on VAWA Bill

Matt - Thu, 2012-04-19 00:55

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Teri Stoddard
Telephone: 301-801-0608
Email: tstoddard@saveservices.org

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison Applauded for Principled Stand on VAWA Bill

Washington, DC/April 18, 2012 – Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison recently announced her support for an alternative to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization bill S. 1925, which had been introduced by Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont. The Texas senator’s announcement has earned her praise from advocates for victims of domestic violence.

In a letter to the Des Moines Register, Sen. Hutchison outlined a number of objections to S. 1925 and indicated that she is working with Sen. Chuck Grassley and Sen. Amy Klobuchar on an improved domestic violence bill. http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120406/OPINION/304060009/-1/SPORTS12/Grassley-plan-will-strengthen-anti-violence-law-women

Sen. Grassley’s VAWA Substitute Amendment fixes major flaws in the current VAWA by:

  • Enhancing the accountability of VAWA grantees to combat waste and fraud identified by the GAO and others. http://saveservices.org/pdf/SAVE-Accountability-and-Oversight.pdf
  • Curbing mandatory arrest policies that violate civil rights. http://www.saveservices.org/downloads/Justice-Denied-DV-Arrest-Policies
  • Requiring domestic violence educational program accreditation to ensure truthful, science-based information. http://www.saveservices.org/downloads/SAVE-DV-Educational-Programs
  • Removing sex-discriminating language. http://www.saveservices.org/downloads/Domestic-Violence-Programs-Discriminate-Against-Male-Victims
  • Implementing changes to curb immigration fraud. http://www.saveservices.org/downloads/VAWA-Funded-Immigration-Fraud

Sen. Hutchison stressed that she is behind a nonpartisan effort to protect all victims of domestic violence: “Violence against women isn’t a partisan issue.”

SAVE spokesman Philip W. Cook declared: “Senator Hutchison’s support for VAWA reform is laudable, though not surprising, given her longstanding commitment to the wellbeing of American women. We welcome the courageous voice of such a powerful advocate.”

Stop Abusive and Violent Environments is a victim-advocacy organization working for evidence-based solutions to partner violence: www.saveservices.org.