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Preserve VAWA/FVPSA Amendments in 2010 Budget

In response to President Obama's budget, Congress has begun consideration of their version of the FY 2010 Budget, which passed primarily on a party line vote in each chamber on Thursday, April 2nd.  We are pleased to announce that the Senate version of the FY 2010 Budget Resolution includes two amendments offered separately by Senators Robert Casey (D-PA) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) that would lay the foundation to fully fund VAWA and FVPSA at approximately $1 billion during the upcoming Appropriations process.

Currently, the House and Senate have formed a conference committee and started informal negotiations on reconciling the differences between their chamber's version of the bill.  We are asking for your help in urging the Budget Committee to preserve VAWA Long-term Housing (Casey) and VAWA/FVPSA (Menendez) Amendments. 

Casey Amendment (Long Term Stability/Housing for Victims)

The Casey Amendment creates a deficit neutral reserve fund to fully fund the Long-Term Stability/Housing for Victims Program under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).  This is an existing program in VAWA authorized at $10 million, but it has never been funded.  The VAWA Long-Term Stability/Housing for Victim Program builds collaborations between domestic violence service providers and housing providers and developers to leverage existing resources and create housing solutions that meet victims' need for long-term housing.

Menendez Amendment (Full Funding of VAWA and FVPSA)

The Menendez Amendment creates a deficit neutral reserve fund to fully fund VAWA and FVPSA at $ 1 billion.  While VAWA and FVPSA received slight increases for FY 2009, both programs are funded below their authorized level.  This Amendment, if included in the Budget Resolution Conference Report, would set the foundation for VAWA and FVPSA to be fully funded at the authorized level of $1 billion during the Appropriations process. 

Outlook

We anticipate that negotiations over the next two weeks around the FY 2010 Budget Resolution will greatly impact the Resolution's final outcome.  During this period, it is critically important to make VAWA and FVPSA a priority during the Budget process so that the Budget Committee can set the allocations high enough for the Appropriations Committee to appropriate full funding for VAWA and FVPSA.  With the help of grassroots, we are optimistic that our VAWA Long-term Housing and VAWA/FVPSA Amendments will be preserved in the final FY 2010 Budget Resolution.

What Can You Do? TAKE ACTION NOW

Call the House and Senate Budget Committees:

Call today and tell the Budget Committee to preserve the VAWA and FVPSA related Amendments in the final FY 2010 Budget Resolution.

 Never called a Member of Congress before? Don't worry, it's easy!

 Call the House Budget Committee Majority Office at 202.226.7200 and the Senate Budget Committee Majority Office at 202.224.0642.  Please tell the receptionist the following:

  • "Hello, my name is ____ and I am from____ [indicate organization, include your state and town]."
  • "I urge the Budget Committee [or Senator/Representative last name] to preserve the VAWA-FVPSA and VAWA Long-term Housing Amendments in the FY 2010 Budget Conference Report."
  • "As theeconomic crisis worsens,the unconscionable gap between a rising demand for services and lack of adequate resources widens."
  • "These amendments are critically important and would lay the foundation for full funding of VAWA and FVPSA during the upcoming appropriations process."
  • "Thank you."

Below is our TARGET LIST of House and Senate Budget Committee Leadership/Conferees:

  • Senator Kent Conrad, Senate Budget Committee Chairman (D-ND) 202-224-2043
  • Senator Judd Gregg, Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member (R-NH) 202-224-3324
  • Representative John M. Spratt, House Budget Committee Chairman (D-SC) 202-225-5501

  • Representative Paul Ryan, House Budget Committee Ranking Member (R-WI) 202-225-3031

Additional Action You Can Take

Congress is in recess for the next two weeks.  This is an excellent opportunity to meet with your Member of Congress and their staff in the district to urge them to support full funding for VAWA programs.

Use NNEDV's Action Tool Kit to learn more about meeting with your Member of Congress and the Appropriations process.

For more information on how to set up meetings with your Members of Congress use NNEDV's In district Lobbying Guide http://www.nnedv.org/docs/Policy/lobbyingguide.pdf

Use this fact sheet for to learn more about VAWA/FVPSA Appropriations please go to http://www.nnedv.org/docs/Policy/generalappropriationsfactsheet_fy10.pdf

To see a break down of the funding increases for VAWA and FVPSA please go to http://www.nnedv.org/docs/Policy/appropriationschartfy10.pdf

Use statistics from the National Network to End Domestic Violence's 2008 Census to demonstrate the need for full funding.  Find your state census report by going to: http://www.nnedv.org/resources/census/67-census-domestic-violence-counts/232-census2008.html

Please Forward This Email

Send this email to your friends, family and colleagues and encourage them to call.  We need as many people as possible to contact the conferees!  Your calls make a difference!

For more information please contact Tralonne Shorter at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 202.543.5566.