Today, U.S. Representative Yvette D. Clarke called on Republicans in the House of Representatives to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, which was supported by a bipartisan supermajority in the Senate.

“The failure of Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act jeopardizes the safety of women across the U.S.,” said Representative Clarke. “The victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual assault deserve action not inaction. The Violence Against Women Act expired in 2011, and the Republican-led House has refused to allow Congress to re-enact it. We must send the Violence Against Women Act to President Obama’s desk for his signature.”

This bipartisan proposal expands the authority of the Federal Government, the States, law enforcement, and service providers to prevent domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.  It also includes provisions that will allow every victim of domestic violence to receive protection– including protections for members of Indian tribes, immigrants and members of the LGBT community.

On Jan. 22, Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI) and Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) introduced H.R. 11, the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization of 2013. Rep. Clarke is an original cosponsor of the bill. The proposal currently has 194 Democratic cosponsors and no Republican co-sponsors.

“I urge my Republican colleagues to put the interest of women before party politics and support the reauthorization of this bill,” concluded Representative Clarke.

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U.S. Representative Yvette D. Clarke is a member of the House Committee on Small Business, Ethics, and Homeland Security, where she is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies. She represents several neighborhoods in central and southern Brooklyn, NY which includes Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, Ocean Hill, parts of Park Slope and Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.