Today, the Senate took bipartisan action to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. Now, it's time for the House to move quickly and pass the bill.
In 2012, we should be beyond questioning the need for the Violence Against Women Act. This law has been overwhelmingly successful since it was first enacted 17 years ago to improve the criminal justice response to this violent crime and to assist those who experience this abuse. Since then, the law has twice been reauthorized with the broad support of members of both parties. It should still be bigger than politics today.
We've made a lot of progress, but the Violence Against Women Act is as important today as it's ever been. The Senate's action today reaffirms that addressing this problem is bigger than politics. Now the House needs to act so the President can sign this vital legislation as soon as possible.
Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Statement by the Vice President on the Violence Against Women Act Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/321670