Swalwell Sponsors Reauthorization of Violence Against Women Act

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin) sponsored the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act and called for swift action on the legislation Wednesday.

The act was originally passed in 1994 and expired in 2011. It funds a number of programs, including victim assistance services, enforcement of protection and transitional housing aid for victims.

Last year, the act passed in the Senate but was never brought to a vote in the House. Republicans, which passed their own version of the bill in House, objected to the increased protections for American Indians, gays and immigrants, The Washington Post reports.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi told The Post that 158 Democratic Congressman have co-sponsored the bill.

“I worked as a prosecutor for seven years and I saw the horrible violence women are subjected to on a daily basis in this country," said Swalwell, who worked in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office. "It’s unconscionable that women are still victimized like this in our civilized society."

Swalwell added that the act has made great strides in protecting women and that it "is of paramount importance and we should pass this bill without delay.”

Also this week, Swalwell was named as a ranking member on the Energy Subcommittee.

“The East Bay is a center of energy research and technological innovation. In particular, the Livermore and Sandia National Labs located in my congressional district are doing innovative work and world-class science to develop new, clean energy sources," Swalwell said. "Serving as the ranking member on the Energy Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over these issues of energy research and development, is a tremendous opportunity."

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