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Amodei supports VAWA reauthorization

May 9, 2012

IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian Baluta, 202-225-6155

May 9, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) yesterday participated in the full House Judiciary Committee markup of H.R. 4970, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization of 2012, which was introduced by Representatives Sandy Adams (FL-24), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-5) and Kristi Noem (SD-AL). Amodei voted in favor of the bill, which was passed by the committee.

"As the father of two daughters, this legislation is very important to me," said Amodei. "It increases resources for investigations, prosecutions, and victim services, while strengthening penalties and promoting educational awareness to prevent violence from occurring in the first place. And because good intentions aren't good enough, this version of the bill would help ensure taxpayer resources go to help victims rather than Washington bureaucrats."

VAWA addresses violence against women by establishing within the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Health and Human Services a number of grant programs for state, local, and tribal governments. DOJ’s Office on Violence against Women, which was established in 1995, administers three formula-based and 14 discretionary grant programs.

H.R. 4970 reauthorizes every VAWA grant program at the same level as the Senate-passed reauthorization bill.

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