The United States House of Representatives recently voted to increase funding for VAWA and VOCA by passing four amendments in the House’s Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bill. Among the proposed budget allocations are money for children who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, $1 million to protect native women from sexual predators, $1 million to study violence perpetrated against tribal women, an increase for rural grants, and protection against budget cuts to VOCA. However, several steps are still needed before the funding is increased. The House and Senate bills must be compiled into a single bill to be passed by Congress. Also, it must be signed by the President, who has said he will veto bills that surpass his proposed budget.
For more information, click here for details on the amendments and lists of voting information for each representative.
Compiled from: "Incredible VAWA and VOCA Funding Victory," National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), 26 July 2007.