Schakowsky is the author of H.R. 3083 legislation that would expand protection for battered immigrant women and H.R. 1352, a bill that would provide transitional housing for victims of domestic abuse.

Below is Schakowsky's statement.

"In 1994, with the historic passage of the Violence Against Women Act, Congress sent a clear message to this nation that violence against women is not just wrong, it's a crime. 

"Since then, VAWA '94 has created programs that have improved the lives of millions of women and children.  These programs support the work of prosecutors, law enforcement officials, victim advocates, and health and social service professionals who are responding to the problems of violence against women in communities throughout this country.

"Domestic violence is an economic and health crisis for this nation.  It harms not only men and women, but also the lives of children who witness violence in their homes or experience violence themselves.  Every 15 seconds, someone in our country is battered.  Every day, four women die in this country as a result of domestic violence. 

"If we don't reauthorize VAWA now, victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, including immigrant women, older women, women with disabilities and women of color, will suffer greatly.

"The clock is ticking.  These critical programs expire in less than a month.  Women, children and families across this nation deserve to feel safe in their homes and in their communities and they are waiting for us to reauthorize VAWA.  We need to do it and we need to do it now."