WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1620, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021. In response, Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-7) released the following statement:
“This legislation is a highly partisan distortion of the original Violence Against Women Act, which was signed into law three decades ago with wide, bipartisan support. The original Act was narrowly defined and uncontroversial, and in the time since it passed, Congress has routinely reauthorized it on a bipartisan basis.
“Unfortunately, Democrats have politicized the law and packed this reauthorization bill with provisions straight from their progressive wish list. The bill extends the law’s protections to persons ‘of any gender,’ drives needed resources away from combatting crimes against women, promotes an unproven ‘restorative justice’ approach, and erodes religious liberties. I am a co-sponsor of a ‘clean’ reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which would fund critical programs to prevent domestic violence and sexual abuse without questionable, partisan policies attached. Democrats were unwilling to consider it.
“Acts of violence against any individual are reprehensible, and I will strongly support any policy that protects against domestic violence, sexual abuse, and harassment. This bill, however, falls far short.”
Michelle Fischbach is a wife, mom, grandma, attorney, and the U.S. Representative for Minnesota’s Seventh Congressional District. Get updates from Rep. Fischbach’s congressional office on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
