Washington, D.C. - Congressman Charles Rangel released the following statement today after the Senate passed the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act on April 26, 2012:

"I commend my colleagues in the Senate for reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act with a swift, bipartisan vote of 68-31. The Senate version of this critical legislation contains strict provisions that are supported by law enforcement personnel and domestic violence advocacy groups.

I am a proud co-sponsor of the House version of this landmark legislation, which mirrors the Senate version and was introduced by Rep. Gwen Moore. The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act aims to provide more extensive support to victims of violence, cultivate stronger communities, foster safer environments for women and children, and gives law enforcement further resources needed to prosecute offenders without impediment.

One in every three women in our country has experienced some sort of stalking, violent or sexual assault by a partner. It is a moral imperative to pass this legislation in the House without partisan politics, with the included protections for immigrants, Native Americans and members of the LGBT community that the Senate GOP threatened to block.

We must work together in the House to pass this bipartisan bill without delay and get it on the President's desk for his signature. There are too many families and victims of violence who are depending on us to do the right thing."