Meehan joins bipartisan group of 120 lawmakers in calling for passage of VAWA

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Patrick Meehan (PA-07) joined 120 lawmakers in sending a bipartisan letter to House leadership urging the leaders to “move quickly” on the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

“Over the last several months, I’ve brought together groups of local victim advocates, law enforcement, and other service organizations across the 7^th district to discuss the importance of reauthorizing VAWA,” said Meehan. “The importance of quickly passing this legislation cannot be overstated. VAWA is an effective tool to prevent domestic and sexual violence and provide comprehensive assistance to victims.”

In an effort to highlight the local significance of protecting victims and preventing domestic violence, Meehan held several roundtable discussions in Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. VAWA, a law first passed in 1994, authorizes programs that help communities establish rape crisis centers, assist and protect victims of violence, and coordinate law enforcement, the judicial system and victim advocates to prevent abuse in the first place. Throughout his time as District Attorney of Delaware County and now as a member of Congress, Meehan has been a strong advocate for VAWA.

“The Violence Against Women Act is crucial for the victims of domestic violence and those agencies and organizations who serve them,” the letter states. “We must send the President a strong, bipartisan bill that protects all those vulnerable to domestic violence.”

Click here to read the letter in its entirety.

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