WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) joined the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 to reauthorize a program that has provided billions of dollars to help domestic violence and sexual assault victims. 

The Violence Against Women Act expired in February.  U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) introduced legislation to reauthorize it and ensure the continuation of programs that prevent and respond to domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes.  

“Some of my colleagues in the Senate are trying to inject the issue of gun control into this bill.  We shouldn’t turn this into a political statement,” said Sen. Kennedy.  “We need to do everything we can to help domestic violence victims.  We shouldn’t make them pawns in partisan, political games.  We need to reauthorize this program to protect women.”

Click here to watch Sen. Kennedy’s full statement.

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