U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA-01) has co-sponsored the re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act in the 113th Congress. she represents Medina and the Points communities.

“I am honored to co-sponsor the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) for the 113th Congress,”DelBene said. “Protecting women against violence is a bipartisan issue, and this bill is too important to allow political gridlock to keep it from becoming law.”

Since it first passed in 1994, VAWA has has assisted millions of victims in getting the support they need. DelBene said, and it has provided law enforcement with the necessary means to prosecute such crimes. This legislation maintains these provisions while also expanding protections to victims in the LGBT, Native American and immigrant communities, she added.

“I urge House leadership to move quickly on this bill and allow it to come to a floor vote. As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, I am eager to work with my colleagues to pass it and send it to the President for his signature.

DelBene said the legislation is bipartisan legislation that can help save lives and reduce violent crime.