U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) recently joined a bipartisan group of congressional members in urging leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in forthcoming coronavirus legislation.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created countless challenges for us as a nation, including the fact that stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders have resulted in an increased number of people who cannot remove themselves from dangerous situations with abusive partners or spouses,” said Rep. Joyce, co-founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence. “If Congress does not act, some of the most vulnerable members of our communities will be left open to abuse, and that is unacceptable.

“We must work together across party lines to ensure that this pandemic does not cause increased instances of domestic violence or abuse that go unaddressed or unpunished,” the congressman said.

Rep. Joyce in April 2019 voted for and the House passed the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, H.R.1585, to reinstate the program, which lapsed on Feb. 19, 2019. However, VAWA currently remains unauthorized.

As House leaders work to build upon legislation like the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, H.R. 748, Rep. Joyce and his colleagues in an April 9 letter urged them “to include additional language granting flexibilities to these programs, and grantees, as they navigate the new realities and challenges posed by coronavirus.”

Further, they wrote, “it is critical that additional funding be provided immediately for facilities and programs that assist victims of domestic violence to safely shelter in place. Those at risk for abuse should not have to choose between exposure to COVID-19 or their physical and mental safety and well-being.”

The letter is signed by more than 100 House members.

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