(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released a new video urging Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) to provide new protections to millions of women by passing the inclusive, bipartisan Violence Against Women Act. Three months ago, the Senate passed the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act by a bipartisan vote of 68-31. The legislation that was passed incorporated important new protections, including bolstering campus safety and extending protections to our tribal, immigrant and LGBT communities. Unfortunately, the House of Representatives passed an ideological bill that not only excludes these at-risk populations but strips existing protections for vulnerable women.
For weeks, Senator Murray and her colleagues have been urging the House to put ideology aside and pass the inclusive, bipartisan Senate-passed Violence Against Women Act. Every moment the House continues to delay is another moment vulnerable women are left without the resources and protections they deserve. These women should not be made to wait. Senator Murray has created a petition, urging Speaker Boehner to pass #RealVAWA. The video released today calls on viewers to sign the petition.