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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) today released the following statement after attending White House event commemorating the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) with President Joe Biden:

“Today, I was proud to join President Joe Biden at the White House to commemorate the long-overdue reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act,” said Dingell. “Nearly 28 years ago, President Biden championed the original VAWA, recognizing that no woman, no child, and no family should fear for their life because of domestic violence. Since then, we have broken down stigmas, helped survivors escape abusive situations, and got them the support they need.”

Dingell continued, “For nearly a decade, Congress failed to reauthorize this historically bipartisan legislation—resulting in lapses in programs and losses in critical funding—adding to the fear and uncertainty faced by too many survivors. These resources have been desperately needed, especially as we witness significant increases in domestic violence cases throughout the pandemic. But today, we mark a change in the tide. Today, we come together—not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans—and celebrate an end to the years of stalemate and funding cuts.”

The VAWA reauthorization passed in Congress last week as part of the FY2022 omnibus funding package and included two provisions written and led by Dingell. The bipartisan VAWA Health provision strengthens the healthcare system’s identification, assessment and response to domestic violence, sexual assault and dating violence survivors with an expanded focus on accessing behavioral health and safety resources across the lifespan. The bipartisan E-SERVICE Act updates how survivors of domestic violence can obtain protection orders by establishing a pilot program grant to explore the electronic service of protection orders.

Dingell serves as co-chair of the Bipartisan Working Group to End Domestic Violence and has led bipartisan efforts to reauthorize VAWA and provide additional support to survivors since her election to Congress.