First District Congressman Tim Walz is urging the House to reauthorize and strengthen the Violence Against Women Act which was passed 19 years ago, in large part due to the grassroots efforts of the late Sheila Wellstone.
            
The landmark legislation focused the resources, time, and energy of federal, state, and local law enforcement on the task of preventing and stopping domestic abuse, while providing victims of violence with critical services and assistance.
            
Last Congress the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan reauthorization of  the legislation with key provisions strengthening the law. However, House leadership refused to bring the bipartisan Senate bill to the floor and, it was allowed to expire.
           
The Senate has acted swiftly in the new Congress, passing a strong Violence Against Women Act with another bipartisan vote.  Both Senator Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar supported the legislation.