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VAWA & VOCA victory in the Senate

 

Thanks to your calls, emails, and lobby visits the Senate increased funding for VAWA from $400 million (in Fiscal Year 2008) to $415 million. This included increases for several key programs and critical funding for new programs.

  • The STOP (Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors) Grant Program was increased to $162.9 million.
  • The Legal Assistance to Victims Program was increased to $42 million.
  • Rural Grants were increased to $42 million.
  • The Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP) received $12 million.
  • Other programs, including those addressing children, teens, and native communities, were also funded at last year's level.

Want to know more about what these programs will fund in the field?

Still more good news: Increased funding for VOCA, too!

The bill was passed in the Senate with a $45 million increase to the VOCA cap, providing $635 million in crucial funds!

This is just the beginning and there will be more steps in the process before we secure funding for VAWA and VOCA.  But, they need to hear from us now if we want them to keep VAWA and VOCA increases in their final bill!

Thank the Senate Appropriations Committee!

We are grateful for the leadership of Senate Appropriators and other Senators:

  • CJS Subcommittee Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)
  • CJS Ranking Member Richard Shelby (R-AL)
  • Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert Byrd (D-WV)
  • Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Thad Cochran (R-MS)
  • All members of the Senate Appropriations Committee
  • The many Senators who advocated for increased funding

Want to know if your Senators played a key role on the Appropriations?

Call your Senators today and say "Thank you!" for supporting VAWA and VOCA funding!

Tell them:

  • Your name and the city and state you live in.
  • Thank you for supporting increases to funding in the CJS appropriations bill for the Violence Against Women Act and the Victims of Crime Act Fund.
  • If you have time, you can tell them how critical VAWA and VOCA funding are for your programs and how these increases will help you meet the needs of victims and families in your community.

Never called your Senators before? Don't worry, it's easy!

  • When you call your Senators' offices, your call will be answered by a receptionist. Tell him or her that you want to leave a message for the Senator. The receptionist will take down your message.

  • Not sure who your Senators are? Visit the US Senate website to find their names and contact information.

What happens next?

The House Appropriations Committee has begun working on their CJS and their Labor, Health and Human Services (LHHS) bill, and there may be committee votes as soon as next week. It is unclear when the Senate Appropriations Committee will consider the LHHS bill.

After these bills are passed out of Committee the full House and Senate may vote on them. This could be as soon as next month or as late as the fall. After the House and Senate pass their separate bills, they must be rectified into one final bill that is passed by Congress and signed by the President (who has threatened to veto bills that increase spending beyond his requested budget).

It is possible that Congress will not finish the Appropriations process this calendar year, and will have to finish in February or March. But they need to hear from us now, so that we don't get left out of the process!

Read NNEDV's Budget and Appropriations Overview for an explanation of the Budget and Appropriations processes.

Stay tuned! This is just the beginning!

If opportunities arise to further increase funding in the Senate CJS Appropriations bill, we will need a big grassroots push! We'll ask you to call your Senators and tell about the desperate need for victim services in your communities.

For more information on the details of the funding, see the full Appropriations Briefing Book, including a color chart (p. 6-7) summarizing the Senate bill.

Thank you! Increases to federal funding are only possible with your efforts!

This is an incredible victory for victims, families, and communities, and it is all thanks to your advocacy with Congress! Thank you again for taking action and contacting your Senators about the importance of VAWA programs for your community.

Thanks again for all the amazing work you do. We know how very busy you are saving lives every day. Taking a few minutes to call or write your Member of Congress has a TREMENDOUS impact. Your voices and your stories help Members of Congress understand how successful and critical VAWA programs save lives, rebuild families, and prevent future crimes.

For more information, contact Monica McLaughlin at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 202.543.5566, or visit NNEDV's Funding and Appropriations Issue Overview.

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