Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 (VAWA). Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08), a survivor of domestic violence, opposed the partisan reauthorization and released the following statement.

“As a victim of domestic violence from a previous marriage, this issue is so important to me. I am co-chair of the bipartisan Working Group to End Domestic Violence and wanted to work with my colleagues to pass a VAWA reauthorization that every member of this body could support. But, I voted against this totally partisan bill introduced by the Democrats because their bill could invade women’s privacy and put them at risk.

“By allowing biological males who identify as women to be placed in shelters and prisons right next to vulnerable women, women could be put in even more danger. The Democrat bill also infringes on second amendment rights by taking away a gun owner’s right to due process. This reauthorization has strayed far from the law’s original intention of helping women, girls, and children.

“Ending violence against women and protecting women and children should not be a partisan issue. I made multiple attempts to work with my Democrat colleagues who authored this reauthorization bill. Instead of working across the aisle to help women, Democrats pushed through their bill with no chance of becoming law even though the law’s authorization has lapsed.”