Thanks to all your hard work, the House passed H.R.1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, with strong bipartisan support! Soon, we will be calling on you to ramp up the pressure on the Senate to take up H.R.1585. In the meantime, please thank your Representative if they supported H.R.1585. If they did not, let them know that you are disappointed that they voted against protections for victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence. In either case, your Representative needs to know that you are watching and that you care. You can find out how your Representative voted HERE.
If your Representative voted AGAINST H.R.1585, they might say, “I voted to reauthorize VAWA.” That isn’t actually true. Despite knowing that simply extending current grant programs for a year without vital changes that survivors need, they voted for was a procedural maneuver (the “motion to recommit”) to reauthorize 22 out of 29 grant programs for a year. They left out seven programs, including Rape Prevention and Education and transitional housing assistance. Let them know that you are savvy, and you know the difference between H.R.1585 and the motion to recommit!
Sample scripts and tweets thanking and condemning lawmakers can be found below. You can find your Representative and contact information here and their social media information here.
And then, join the TWITTER STORM led by @NTFSDV on Thursday, April 18 at 3:00 EST to thank all the Representatives who voted for H.R.1585, to share information about H.R.1585, and to dispel harmful myths. Please click HERE to receive sample tweets and graphics the day before the storm.
Thank YOU again for all of your hard work! Now, on to the Senate (keep your eyes open for an alert)!!!
WHAT TO SAY
If your Representative voted YES:
Phone Script
My name is [your name], and I am a constituent calling from [your location and, if applicable, your organization]. I am calling today to thank Representative [your Representative’s name] for standing up for survivors of domestic and sexual violence by voting for H.R.1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019. This important legislation invests in prevention and provides safety and services for survivors. When it becomes law, it will have a very important impact on our community and in communities across the country! Victims, survivors, and all of your constituents are grateful for your support.
Email Script
Greetings!
I hope this email finds you well! My name is [your name], and I am a constituent from [your location and, if applicable, your organization]. Thank you for supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence by supporting H.R.1585, the Violence Against Women Act of 2019. This vital legislation invests in prevention, protects all victims, provides vital housing and employment supports, and ends impunity for non-Natives who sexually assault Native women on tribal lands. By voting for H.R.1585, you voted for survivors. Both our community and I appreciate your support! Thank you, again!
Yours truly,
[Your name, and, if applicable, your organization and title].
Social Media
To find your Representative’s twitter handle go here!
Thank you @Rephandle for voting for the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 #VAWA19 #HR1585!
Thank you @Rehandle for voting for #VAWA19. Your support will help protect all survivors and victims! #VAWA4ALL
.@Rephandle – your vote on #VAWA19 increases $ for prevention education, ends impunity for non-Native rapists, and stops dating violence abusers from having guns. These critical enhancements are needed to protect survivors! #VAWA4ALL #HR1585
If your Representative voted NO:
Phone Script
My name is [your name], and I am a constituent from [your location and, if applicable, your organization]. I was very disappointed in Representative [your Representative’s name]’s opposition to H.R.1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019. We were counting on Representative [your Representative’s name] to support and protect victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence, and Representative [your Representative’s name] let us down. People are experiencing violence every day, including people in our District. Maintaining the status quo is unacceptable – a straight reauthorization that does not improve our response as a country to domestic and sexual violence just kicks the can down the road without making meaningful and sorely needed changes. I hope that, in the future, Representative [your Representative’s name] will choose to stand with victims and survivors instead of with perpetrators!
Email Script
Greetings!
I hope this email finds you well! My name is [your name], and I am a constituent from [your location and, if applicable, your organization]. I was very disappointed by your opposition to H.R.1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019.We were counting on you to support and protect victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence, and you let us down. People are experiencing violence every day, including people in our District. Maintaining the status quo is unacceptable – a straight reauthorization that does not improve our response as a country to domestic and sexual violence just kicks the can down the road without making meaningful and sorely needed changes. I hope that, in the future, you will choose to stand with victims and survivors instead of with perpetrators!
Yours truly,
[Your name and, if applicable, title and organization]
Social Media
To find your Representative’s twitter handle go here!
.@Rephandle – As your constituent, I am very disappointed you voted against #VAWA19 #HR1585. A straight reauthorization of current law is NOT enough. I was counting on you to protect and support victims and survivors.
I am disappointed in @Rephandle’s vote on #VAWA19. People in our district experience gender-based violence every day. We need the provisions in #HR1585 – not just an extension of current law. We need a #VAWA4ALL!
