VAWA improvements, gun violence prevention, and understanding authorization: Civic action to-do list for 3-4-19
3. For the first time in five years there will be a congressional hearing on the importance of the Violence Against Women Act and ways the bill can be improved to support survivors.
In a Nutshell: The House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary is holding a hearing this Thursday at 10:00 a.m. to push for modest but critical VAWA improvements that increase funding for rape prevention education; ensure that abusers can't access firearms; and end impunity for non-Native offenders of sexual assault on Tribal land. (learn more)
Take Action: Watch the hearing live on C-SPAN or the committee website!
2. The National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence held a conference call last week to explain the meaning and impact of the currently unauthorized Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
In a Nutshell: On February 15th, after three extensions, the Violence Against Women Act expired. While VAWA's status is currently unauthorized, this does not impact the underlying legal protections or its funding for the 2019 fiscal year. (learn more)
Take Action: Dial 712-432-1011 and enter access code 471974097 to listen to a recording of the call and learn more about VAWA's unauthorized status and how to get engaged!
1. The House of Representatives passed two important pieces of legislation last week that are hopefully just the first step in quelling the gun violence epidemic plaguing our nation.
In a Nutshell: The two bills would close loopholes in federal law that allow violent offenders to purchase firearms without completing a background check. While we applaud the passage of these bills, we do not support an anti-immigrant amendment (which has only a tenuous connection to gun control and was tacked on to this legislation at the last minute) that specifically targets those who have entered the country illegally. (learn more)
Take Action: Email your Senators and tell them to co-sponsor Sen. Murphy's Background Check Expansion Act (S. 42).