Friend --

We’ve talked so much about the health and safety of American families during
this pandemic -- but one critical aspect is getting overlooked.

We know situations where families are home together, for extended periods, can
cause trouble -- folks have short fuses, and it's hard to stay patient under an
onslaught of mostly bad news. But for some, this is a life or death situation.
The lives of people stuck in emotionally and physically abusive relationships
have become harder, and many of the lifelines for survivors aren't easily
accessible right now.

It’s been two years since the Violence Against Women Actexpired because Mitch McConnell blocked it from coming to the Senate floor --
but the House voted last month to reauthorize this landmark bill, and because we
flipped the Senate, we can finally bring this incredibly important legislation
back to the Senate floor.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and it’s never been more important to
act now to reauthorize VAWA:

If you believe it’s long past time for the Senate to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, add your name next to mine right now. [link removed] ADD YOUR NAME → [link removed]

Since its enactment in 1994, VAWA has reduced domestic violence by more than 50
percent and provided more than $7 billion in federal funding towards violence
reduction and prevention. 

However this lifesaving, bipartisan bill expired all the way back in 2019. Many
of the programs have continued to receive funding, but a full 5-year reauthorization bill was blocked by Mitch McConnell for nearly
two years in the Senate despite a successful bipartisan vote in the House.

And during this pandemic, this couldn’t be more important: I've heard stories of
partners threatening to throw significant others onto the street if they cough.
I've heard stories of children being abused, who can't reach out to their
teacher or counselor at school because schools are closed. I've heard of
partners experiencing physical abuse who are afraid to go to hospitals because
they could get sick when they go.

There are thousands of organizations, law enforcement, and other service
providers who depend on sufficient access to federal funding and programs to
provide support and recovery services to victims and survivors. All this -- and
yet VAWA sat on Mitch McConnell’s desk, collecting dust.

Now that I’m in charge, I’m working hard to support survivors, families, and
communities who depend on VAWA, especially during Sexual Assault Awareness
Month: Show your support for the Senate reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act by adding your name next to mine right now. [link removed]

Sincerely,

Chuck Schumer  

This email was sent to [email protected]. Click here to unsubscribe [link removed]. Paid for by Friends of Schumer

All content © 2021 Friends of Schumer, All
Rights Reserved
192 Lexing‌ton Avenue, Su‌ite 1001, New Y‌ork, NY 1‌0016

Privacy Policy [link removed]