In 2012, Senator Pat Toomey refused to support the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization, which provides lifesaving protections to women and families across the country. On the 21st anniversary of the passage of VAWA, Pennsylvania voters still find it unacceptable that their senator voted against supporting the recovery of domestic violence victims.
“Republicans in Congress have shown their complete disregard for women’s livelihoods and health, calling for the defunding of Planned Parenthood, the top women’s health provider in the nation, and opposing important equal pay and family leave legislation. Nothing is more shameful than their opposition — including Senator Pat Toomey’s — to VAWA. Despite the state’s domestic violence programs receiving funding primarily from VAWA, Senator Toomey still voted no to provide critically important funding for these victims.” said American Bridge President Jessica Mackler.
Background:
2012: Toomey Voted Against Reauthorizing The Violence Against Women Act. In April 2012, Toomey voted against the proposed Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012 (VAWA), which expanded the protections offered by the original 1994 Act and later extensions of it. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 68 to 31. A version of VAWA passed the House in May 2012, but the chambers were unable to reconcile their differing bills. [Senate Vote 87, 4/26/12; All Congressional Actions, S.1925; All Congressional Actions, H.R. 4970]
In 2011-2012, Pennsylvania Domestic Violence Programs Answered 130,654 Hotline Calls. [Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Accessed 9/11/15]
The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence Stated That Its Member Programs Received Funding From VAWA. According to PCADV.org, “Domestic violence programs in Pennsylvania receive federal funding from primarily three sources: *The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) *The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) *The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA)[.]” [Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Accessed 9/11/15]
Published: Sep 14, 2015