FVPSA Reauthorization Passes the House

FVPSA Reauthorization Passes the House

Today, thanks in large part to the leadership of Congresswoman Gwen Moore (Milwaukee), the House passed the reauthorization the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVSPA) as part of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). This is not an appropriations bill; however, it provides the future federal funding structure for domestic violence programs across the nation.

Thanks to all of you who called your legislators to make this important achievement possible.

Watch Congresswoman Moore speak about the passage of FVPSA and recognize the work advocates in Wisconsin!

Action Needed on Appropriation Bills

Urge the Senate to Support Vital Funding Increases for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Programs

Thanks to your steadfast advocacy efforts earlier in the year, Congressional funding proposals for Fiscal Year 2011 include key increases in funding for programs that provide lifesaving services for victims of domestic and sexual violence. But these vital increases are now in jeopardy as Congress is considering passing a funding bill that would fund programs at current levels – levels that are lower than the Fiscal Year 2011 proposal.

As the gap between the demand for services and available resources continues to widen in this harsh economic climate, these funding increases are absolutely necessary to ensure that programs can keep their doors open for victims fleeing life-threatening violence.

Tell Congress that victims' lives are on the line – they must invest in these lifesaving and cost-effective services.

Take action now!

Please take five minutes to tell Senators Kohl and Feingold that domestic and sexual violence victims need them to include the proposed vital increases in their final Omnibus funding bill. The link above will provide contact information and talking points.

Background

Congress is currently working to finish its spending bills for Fiscal Year 2011. Senate funding bills passed earlier in this process included key increases to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA). But Congress is now considering a funding measure (a "continuing resolution") that would maintain last year's funding levels instead. In order to secure the increases included earlier in the process, the Senate must pass an Omnibus Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2011. An Omnibus Appropriations bill is when all separate funding bills are rolled into one large bill, allowing the Senate to vote on all funding bills at once.

Please click here for more information on VAWA, VOCA and FVPSA.