{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://susanwbrooks.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/brooks-helps-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-provide-legal-support-to", "Brooks helps introduce bipartisan bill to provide legal support to survivors of domestic abuse", "2016-09-27", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Susan Brooks", "B001284", "susanwbrooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN) co-introduced legislation last week that would help survivors of domestic abuse find legal representation to secure restraining orders and explore other legal avenues.\nThe Power Act, H.R. 6149, introduced by U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-MA), would require each U.S. Attorney\u2019s office to annually host public events to support pro bono legal services for survivors of domestic violence.\n\u201cApproximately one in four women will experience\u00a0domestic violence in their lifetime, and domestic\u00a0violence survivors are not guaranteed a lawyer,\u201d Brooks said. \u201cAs a\u00a0result, many of these survivors are trapped in a cycle\u00a0of abuse with no way to escape.\u201d\nUnder the bill, U.S. Attorneys would report to the Department of Justice, which would then compile and deliver a single report to Congress each year detailing public events and the results of the initiative.\n\u201cCivil legal aid\u00a0has been proven to reduce domestic violence,\u00a0because it helps survivors secure protective orders\u00a0and get out of abusive situations,\u201d Brooks said. \u201cAs a former U.S.\u00a0Attorney, I am hopeful that U.S. Attorney offices\u00a0across the country can play a role in raising\u00a0awareness for the need of pro bono legal services,\u00a0connecting victims of domestic violence with legal\u00a0aid, and ultimately, empowering survivors.\u201d\nKennedy said that the justice system should be a haven for survivors of domestic abuse, but instead too many survivors face the fear and intimidation they are trying to escape in court.\n\u201cWithout access to legal assistance, many confront\u00a0their abuser alone in court, victimized once again,\u201d Kennedy said.\u00a0\u201cThe Power Act will help restore the promise of equal\u00a0protection for the millions of domestic violence\u00a0victims across our country.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://susanwbrooks.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/brooks-helps-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-provide-legal-support-to"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9589018300175667, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}