An amendment numbered 40 printed in Part B of House Report 116-32 to ensure all provisions of the bill comply with immigration laws.

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2019

The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Harder of California). Pursuant to House
Resolution 281 and rule XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for the further
consideration of the bill, H.R. 1585.
Will the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Watson Coleman) kindly
take the chair.

{time}  0919

In the Committee of the Whole

Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the
Whole House on the state of the Union for the further consideration of
the bill (H.R. 1585) to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act of
1994, and for other purposes, with Mrs. Watson Coleman (Acting Chair)
in the chair.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The Acting CHAIR. When the Committee of the Whole rose on Wednesday,
April 3, 2019, amendment No. 38 printed in part B of House Report 116-
32 offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rose) had been disposed
of.

Amendment No. 39 Offered by Mrs. Axne

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 39
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Mrs. AXNE. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 29, strike lines 3 through 7 and insert the following:

SEC. 201. SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES PROGRAM.

Section 41601(f)(1) of the Violent Crime Control and Law
Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12511(f)(1)) is amended by
striking ``$40,000,000 to remain available until expended for
each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' and inserting
``$60,000,000 to remain available until expended for each of
fiscal years 2020 through 2024''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentlewoman
from Iowa (Mrs. Axne) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Iowa.
Mrs. AXNE. Madam Chair, the Violence Against Women Act expired on
September 30, 2018. It is incredibly disappointing that we ever let
this landmark bill expire in the first place, but we now have an
opportunity to provide additional resources and address gaps in the
expired law to better protect women in Iowa and across the land from
violence. My amendment will help do that.
I have introduced an amendment that will increase STOP grants to help
local law enforcement agencies and community organizations better
combat and prosecute violence against women. This funding will help law
enforcement agencies develop and strengthen strategies to end domestic
and sexual violence.
I have met with local police officers and sheriffs throughout my
district, and they all tell me they are underresourced and they are
understaffed. I promised them I would do anything in my power to make
sure they get what they need to protect our communities.
STOP grants also provide prosecutors with the proper tools and
resources they need to get justice for survivors and prosecute those
who commit violence against women.
While we must do everything in our power to stop violence against
women, the sad reality is domestic and sexual violence is prevalent in
this country. It is prevalent across all socioeconomic backgrounds, and
it is something that is not exclusive to any one part of this country.
We have it in our own backyard.
For many victims of domestic and sexual violence, recovery can be a
lifelong process. We need to make sure that we are providing
organizations that provide victim services, like the Iowa Coalition
Against Sexual Assault, with the resources they need to develop and
strengthen programs to help as many survivors as possible.
When I worked at the State of Iowa, I helped the Crime Victims
Assistance Unit in the AG's office improve their processes, so I know
that in Iowa--I have seen it firsthand--we don't have enough resources
to address the needs that we have.
There are simple steps that we can take that have a major impact on
the amount of people that we can help, and that is what these grants
do. They will help our local law enforcement agencies, our local
prosecutors, and local community organizations stop more crimes,
prosecute more perpetrators, and provide services to more survivors.
Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I claim the time in opposition.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Virginia is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. CLINE. Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment, which
increases the authorization of STOP grants from $40 million to $60
million. The amendment does not have an offset from any other account.
We had a hearing on this important legislation in committee. The
gentlewoman is correct in stating that domestic violence is a problem
and we must take action to confront it. It was disappointing that the
legislation was taken from what was a bipartisan consensus and turned
into a partisan document that went far beyond the underlying
legislation which was allowed to expire.
We had a hearing, and no witness that I recall advocated, during
committee, for increasing the authorization level for STOP grants.
STOP grants do perform a vital service. In fact, one of my first jobs
out of law school was prosecuting under a STOP grant, prosecuting
domestic violence cases in Rockingham County in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
In the markup in committee, not a single Democrat offered any
amendment to increase the authorization level by an additional $20
million. There has been no reason given to add an additional 50 percent
to this specific program as opposed to any program. So I would urge my
colleagues to oppose this amendment.
Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. AXNE. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Nadler), my colleague.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
Madam Chair, I support this amendment which would increase the sexual
assault services program authorization from $40 million to $60 million.
This program assists States, Tribes, and territories to provide
intervention, advocacy support, and related assistance to victims of
sexual assault.
Experts in the field have indicated that this program is underfunded
for the depth and the breadth of the work it covers, despite the
remarks of the gentleman from Virginia.
It is underfunded. We need more money here. I support the amendment
of the gentlewoman.
Now, the gentleman from Virginia says there is no offset. That is
true. We do not need an offset.
Of course, we could take it away from President Trump's personal part
of the tax, of the $1.8 trillion tax break that the Republicans voted
for for the rich.
But the fact is we don't need an offset. Under the rules, the
appropriations bill has to deal with that. This simply makes funds
available, and for a very worthy purpose.
Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
Mr. CLINE. Madam Chair, I would state to the esteemed chairman of the
committee that we have proceeded without offsets for many, many years

[[Page H3074]]

on many, many things, and that is one of the reasons why we are over
$20 trillion in debt right now.
This House must exercise fiscal restraint and bring its budget back
into some semblance of order and exercise responsibility. And so an
offset is responsible, is appropriate, does not exist, and was never
discussed.
The chairman talks about experts. We heard from no expert at the
committee level as to the need for the additional $20 million in STOP
grants.
Madam Chair, I ask my colleagues to oppose the amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. AXNE. Madam Chair, I appreciate what my colleague across the
aisle is saying; however, our debt can be looked at in many ways to
amend. However, our local police officers, our local communities, and
our organizations that support victims with assistance are in dire need
of the additional funding.
I would argue that this administration is the cause of this major
debt that we have, and we should not take that out on our local
communities that I know are supported across the aisle.
Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CLINE. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Axne).
The amendment was agreed to.

{time}  0930

Amendment No. 40 Offered by Ms. Torres Small of New Mexico

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 40
printed in part B of House Report 116-32.
Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Madam Chairwoman, I have an amendment
at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 171, insert after line 2 the following (and conform
the table of contents accordingly):

SEC. 1408. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH
IMMIGRATION LAWS.

Nothing in this Act, or in any amendments made by this Act,
shall affect the obligation to fully comply with the
immigration laws.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 281, the gentlewoman
from New Mexico (Ms. Torres Small) and a Member opposed each will
control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New Mexico.
Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Madam Chairwoman, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
Madam Chairwoman, I rise to offer amendment No. 40 to H.R. 1585, the
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.
My amendment is simple. It will ensure that everything in this bill
complies with current immigration law. One in three women in the United
States will experience domestic violence. That is unacceptable. It
doesn't matter who you are. Domestic violence is unacceptable. This law
protects all survivors.
It ensures that our Nation recognizes domestic violence and sexual
assault as crimes. It provides crucial protections against domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. It provides
survivors with the support they deserve.
It provides our law enforcement with everything they need to provide
justice to these survivors, and it sends a clear message nationwide
that our Federal Government will protect all survivors and condemn all
domestic and sexual assault offenders.
That is why the reauthorization of VAWA should not be impacted by the
current debate on our immigration system. That debate is for another
day and it is a debate we should have soon in this Chamber. But I felt
it was necessary to offer this amendment to acknowledge that as the
House passes this legislation, it is also in accordance with the laws
already enacted.
Again, this is all this amendment attempts to do. It is important
that funding goes where it is intended. And the eligibility for VAWA
grant funding is clear in this bill. VAWA is the cornerstone for safety
and justice to survivors of violence and abuse. Our sole focus today
should be to keep that cornerstone strong.
All of us know a survivor. She may be our mother, he may be our best
friend. It may be ourselves. We, as a country, know what to do and we
should do it together. Therefore, I encourage my colleagues on both
sides of the aisle to support this essential legislation.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I claim the time in opposition, although I
am not opposed to the amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from Virginia is
recognized for 5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Mr. CLINE. Madam Chairwoman, I would answer the gentlewoman by saying
that we are in agreement that domestic violence is a problem, and
regardless of who you are in this country, you deserve protection if
you are a victim of domestic violence. No matter, woman, man, gay,
straight, you deserve protection if you are a victim of domestic
violence, and we need to provide adequate protection.
Unfortunately, this bill does not provide that protection when you
are allowing environments to be created where victims are at risk of
being revictimized, whether it is through the legal process, or through
the shelter process. We have problems with this bill overall. But I
commend the gentlewoman for her amendment, because it does ensure that
the laws regarding immigration in this country are complied with.
I wish that we had gone further. I offered an amendment on another
bill at committee to ensure that ICE was notified whenever an illegal
immigrant committed a crime involving a firearm so that they could be
deported quicker. I wish that that had been attempted in this
legislation as well. ICE deserves to be notified when someone is
convicted of a crime of domestic violence if that defendant is illegal.
So while we could not go further, I thank the gentlewoman for
offering the amendment. I do not oppose it, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Madam Chairwoman, I yield 1 minute to
the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the Speaker of the House.
Ms. PELOSI. Madam Chairwoman, I thank the gentlewoman for her
leadership in presenting the important amendment to the Violence
Against Women Act. I thank the distinguished chairman of the committee
for his leadership in bringing this VAWA reauthorization to the floor.
I commend Karen Bass, the author of the legislation, the chair of the
subcommittee of jurisdiction, and I want to recognize and acknowledge
the work of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee over the years in terms of
ending violence against women.
Again, we take an oath to protect the American people. Nearly 25
years ago, Congress honored that oath when we enacted the bipartisan
Violence Against Women Act. It united our communities and our country
in a fight against domestic violence in America.
Today, we honor that oath once more by passing strong, bipartisan,
long-term VAWA reauthorization that will save lives.
Again, I want to salute Karen Bass, a champion for women's safety and
security as chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism,
Homeland Security, and Investigations, and the many champions of VAWA
in the Congress who have made today possible. Again, I acknowledge
Congresswoman Jackson Lee.
We thank all of the survivors, victims, and advocates who have shown
the generosity of spirit to tell their stories. Nothing is more
eloquent or effective than the stories which show that this is not a
legislative fight or an issues fight. It is a personal fight about
America's families.
I commend Congresswoman Torres Small for this important amendment
that recognizes and ensures that all provisions of the bill comply with
current immigration law. This isn't a bill about immigration, but I
wanted to make that assertion, and I thank the gentlewoman,
Congresswoman Torres Small for this amendment.
We are pleased that the bill is bipartisan. There should be nothing
partisan or political about ending the scourge of domestic violence and
sexual assault, which one in three women faces today.
Madam Chairwoman, with this bill, we are reinforcing what we did 25
years ago, and what we did in 2013. We are making it stronger with the
legislation

[[Page H3075]]

today, with lifesaving updates that reflect the voices of victims and
survivors and the input of experts.
With this bill, we are empowering law enforcement and making new
investments in prevention. We are improving lifesaving services to
victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and
stalking. We are supporting survivors with protections against
discrimination in the workplace and supporting their financial
security.
We are closing dangerous loopholes in our laws that right now allow
those who have been convicted of stalking or dating violence to obtain
firearms. These are commonsense reforms that will save lives and that
no one should object to.
We are strengthening protections for Native American women because
every woman everywhere has the right to live free from abuse. We thank
the Indian Country and the Native American women for their input on
this. And aren't we blessed now to have for the first time in American
history, two Native American women serving in the Congress of the
United States: Congresswoman Sharice Davids from Kansas, and
Congresswoman Deb Haaland from New Mexico, and they have already made
their presence felt.
This bill has historically been bipartisan. We urge all Members to
join us in a strong bipartisan vote for this bill, which honors our
oath, upholds our values, and saves lives. Again, I urge a ``yes''
vote.
Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Madam Chairwoman, I yield 1 minute to
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler).
Mr. NADLER. Madam Chairwoman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
I rise in support of the gentlewoman's amendment. Representative
Torres Small's amendment makes it clear that nothing in this bill
impacts or changes any obligations or requirements to comply with our
immigration laws.
This amendment alleviates any potential concern or confusion about
the intent of this legislation. It makes clear that the bill does not
change any immigration law, nor does it affect any of the immigration
obligations and requirements under current law. It is that simple, and
I urge all of my colleagues to support it.
Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Madam Chair, I thank the chairman;
the authors of this bill, Representative Bass and Representative
Fitzpatrick; and the tireless advocates who have worked to bring this
bill to the floor today for the safety and justice of all survivors of
violence and abuse.
Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, please
support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Torres Small).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from New Mexico
will be postponed.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Chair, I move that the committee do now rise.
The motion was agreed to.
Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Ms.
Torres Small of New Mexico) having assumed the chair, Mrs. Watson
Coleman, Acting Chair of the Committee of the Whole House on the state
of the Union, reported that that Committee, having had under
consideration the bill (H.R. 1585) to reauthorize the Violence Against
Women Act of 1994, and for other purposes, had come to no resolution
thereon.

____________________