On 5 January 2006, United States President George Bush signed into law the Violence Against Women Act of 2005 (VAWA). This is a reauthorization of the comprehensive federal domestic violence law first passed in 1994 and reauthorized in 2000. The 2000 version of the law expired in September 2005. The law enjoyed broad bipartisan support in Congress. "This law supports programs that have been successful in combating domestic violence and changing attitudes toward violence in the family in America. In addition, VAWA will also expand its focus to change attitudes toward other violent crimes including dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. This law takes significant steps to ensure that these serious crimes receive the proper attention and resources they deserve," said House Judiciary Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-Wis.).
President of the Family Violence Prevention Fund, Esta Soler, released a statement commending President Bush's actions. "Our homes and communities will be safer and healthier because President Bush signed a strong Violence Against Women Act into law this afternoon. We commend Congress for passing this critical legislation, and the President for signing it so promptly. It can significantly improve the nation's response to domestic, sexual and dating violence, and stalking."
Compiled From: Sensenbrenner Praises President Bush's Signing of Violence Against Women Act, US Newswire, 5 January 2006; Bush Signs 'Violence Against Women Act'; Funding Badly Needed Initiatives to Prevent Domestic & Sexual Violence, Help Victims; Statement by Esta Soler, President, Family Violence Prevention Fund, US Newswire, 5 January 2006; Bush Signs Domestic Violence Act Extension, The Guardian, 6 January 2006.