releases: https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E42512C3-F698-4694-BC20-5F9C4095A4F3
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E42512C3-F698-4694-BC20-5F9C4095A4F3 | Heitkamp: Senate Passes Temporary Extension of Violence Against Women Act, but Long-term Renewal Needed | 2018-09-18 | 2018 | 2018-09 | Democrat | House | ND | Heidi Heitkamp | H001069 | www.heitkamp.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today voted with a bipartisan majority in the Senate to extend the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) for two months to prevent it from expiring at the end of September. But she also called on Congress to quickly pass a long-term reauthorization to give certainty to victims of domestic violence and law enforcement agencies that depend on VAWA programs to crack down on abuse. Since serving as Attorney General for North Dakota in the 1990's, I've committed to never stop fighting to end domestic violence and protect victims of these horrible crimes, Heitkamp said. That's why VAWA was the first bill I cosponsored in the U.S. Senate in 2013 and ensured that provisions for landmark protections of Native women and tribal authority were included. For too long, crimes of domestic violence hid in the shadows and VAWA helped make major changes so abusers could no longer get away with such terrible actions. But there is still much work to do. Now, Congress must quickly pass a long-term extension of VAWA to give victims of abuse the resources they need to seek justice and recover from the trauma they've endured. Law enforcement agencies and victim service providers rely on VAWA to bring justice to criminals. It is also critical that we continue to increase the protections for Native women and look at expanding tribal authority where appropriate so that abusers can no longer escape punishment in Indian Country. VAWA wasthe first billHeitkamp cosponsored and helped pass as a U.S. Senator in 2013, building on her longstanding work to implement the first VAWA in the 1990s when she served as Attorney General for North Dakota. Since joining the U.S. Senate, one of Heitkamp's top priorities has been combating domestic violence and stopping those who seek to harm adults and children. Heitkamp authored a key provision in the 2013 VAWA reauthorization to address the continuing crisis of violence against women in tribal communities. The provision strengthens the existing programs and provides tribal governments the force they need to prosecute non-Indian perpetrators who commit these crimes on tribal land. Last fall, Heitkamp introduced Savanna's Act to help combat the epidemic of murdered and missing Native women and girls. The bill has gained bipartisan support in the Senate, and Savanna's Act is included in the long-term extension of VAWA introduced in the House. Heitkamp recently announced $875,232 in federal funding made possible by VAWA for the North Dakota Department of Health to help the state provide services to victims of abuse, an example of VAWA working to help end domestic violence and make sure services are in place to help victims in North Dakota recover. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |