Submitted by Patrick Cassidy.
WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02), voted to pass the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act (H.R. 2119). In response to the sharp increase in intimate partner violence that has occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, H.R. 2119 represents a comprehensive reauthorization of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA)—the first federal law to provide resources for survivors of domestic violence nearly 40 years ago—and would enhance and refocus federal investment to address intimate partner violence. As a senior member of the House Education and Labor Committee, Courtney supported H.R. 2119 and helped prepare it for House passage today when he voted to pass the bill out of Committee on July 15th. The Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act was introduced with bipartisan co-sponsors, and passed the House yesterday with support from both sides of the aisle.
“We know the demand for mental health services skyrocketed during COVID-19, and tragically so have instances of domestic and intimate partner violence,” said Congressman Courtney. “Back in 2019, Connecticut was already bursting at the seams working with an average of 40,000 victims of domestic and dating violence each year. That number has only grown nationwide, and we’re beginning to see even more hidden cases emerge as the recovery continues. The Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act is bipartisan—it was introduced with original co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle—and it would steer more resources into programs that are dedicated to helping women, parents and kids, and all Americans make it safely out of bad situations. Lots of issues have become needlessly partisan in Washington these days, but helping people in danger shouldn’t be one of them. Glad to help pass this bill, and glad to see it done on a bipartisan basis.”
The Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act would modernize and adequately fund FVPSA programming to help stop intimate partner violence from happening in the first place, and would help survivors get the resources they need.
