National Network to End Domestic Violence Official Website

escape this website SAFETY ALERT: If you are in danger, please use a safer computer, or call 911, your local hotline, or the U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224. See more technology safety tips here. There is always a computer trail, but you can leave this site quickly.

The National Network to End Domestic Violence. Click to return to the home page.

Text Size: A A A

Support NNEDV

Help us end domestic violence

Get Help

Take Action

National Census

Action Alerts

Sign up for action alerts...

Content

Attention: open in a new window. PDF | Print |

Call Budget Conferees and Preserve Funding for VAWA and FVPSA

Budget Conferees are expected to reach an agreement on what to include in the final budget and send it back to the House and Senate for vote by the middle of this week.

Your advocacy in the previous weeks has laid important groundwork, ensuring that the Budget Committee is aware of how important VAWA and FVPSA funding is to their constituents.  We need one last advocacy push this week to make sure the Conferees, the individuals making the final decision, include the Senate amendments for higher spending on VAWA and FVPSA programs in the final version of the budget.

Act Now: Call Budget Conferees!

Call the budget conferees and let them know how important VAWA and FVPSA funding is to survivors and their families!  The budget is of extreme national importance, so even if your Member of Congress is not a Conferee, you can still call and tell them to keep the Senate VAWA and FVPSA amendments in the final budget resolution.

The Budget Conferees are:

Senate

  • Sen.  Kent Conrad (D-ND) 202.224.2043
  • Sen.  Patty Murray (D-WA) 202.224.2621
  • Sen.  Judd Gregg (R-NH) 202.224.3324

 

House

  • Rep.  John Spratt (D-SC) 202.225.5501
  • Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) 202.225.3661
  • Rep. Allen Boyd (D-FL) 202.225.5235
  • Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) 202.225.3031
  • Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) 202.225.3484

 

When you are connected to the Member of Congress's office, tell the front desk:

 

  • "Hello, my name is _____ and I am from _____ [indicate organization, your city and state]."
  • "I would like Senator/Representative [last name] to keep the VAWA and FVPSA Amendments in the FY 2010 Budget Conference Report."
  • "These amendments are necessary to achieve full funding of VAWA and FVPSA this year, to mee thte ever increasing demand for victim services."
  • "Thank you!"

 

Read further for more information on the Budget Amendments affecting VAWA and FVPSA funding:

 

The Senate version of the budget contains two amendments offered by Senators Casey (D-PA) and Menendez (D-NJ) for higher spending on important domestic violence funding:  

 

  • VAWA and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA).  These programs provide funding for emergency shelters and community-based advocacy, along with grant funding for a range of specific areas (such as children's services, civil legal assistance, rural-specific programs, coordinated community responses (STOP Grants), Grants to Encourage Arrest, Transitional Housing).  If this amendment is included the final conference report, it will lay the foundation for VAWA and FVPSA to be fully funded at approximately $1 billion!

 

  • Long-Term Stability/Housing for Victims Program under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). This program builds collaborations between domestic violence service providers and housing providers and developers to leverage existing resources and create permanent housing solutions that meet victims' needs.  If this amendment is included the final conference report, it will lay the foundation for the Long-Term Stability/Housing for Victims Program to be fully funded at $10 million!

 

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.