April 26, 2012

 Washington, D.C.—Nevada Senator Harry Reid issued the following statement after the Senate approved a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act by a bipartisan vote of 68-31.

“More than a third of women in this country have been victims of violence, sexual assault or stalking by a partner. Today’s strong bipartisan vote will give law enforcement agencies the tools they need to prosecute and convict the perpetrators of these heinous crimes, and will help victims get the protection and support they need.

“I urge my colleagues in the House to quickly approve the Senate’s bipartisan bill. Since Congress approved the Violence Against Women Act for the first time in 1994, domestic violence incidents have fallen by fifty-three percent. One case of abuse is one too many, and every day that law enforcement agencies lack all of the tools they need to combat domestic abuse is one day too many.”