Statement: Renewal of the Violence Against Women Act

The Violence Against Women Act was finally reauthorized today, after over a year of stonewalling from Republican leadership over the inclusion of LGBT, immigrant, and Native American women. As Peter aptly says in his statement below, "Violence is violence, no matter what you look like or whom you love."

We're very pleased to see this crucial legislation finally be reinstated, and proud of Sen. Leahy's persistence in the Senate to make it happen.

Read Peter's full statement:

For over a year, House Republicans leaders displayed a willful, implacable but ultimately failed resistance to protecting LGBT, immigrant, and Native American women from domestic violence. Today they relented on their insensitive and unsustainable position. I am pleased that a bipartisan majority of the House of Representatives has now affirmed what is plainly common sense: that violence is violence no matter what you look like or whom you love.

I applaud Sen. Leahy for his perseverance on this issue. Because of his able leadership, women vulnerable to domestic violence and abuse have peace of mind of knowing that they will not have to suffer in silence because Congress failed to reauthorize this landmark law.