<Bnitrd ~tatrs ~rnatrWASHINGTON, DC 20510

April 4, 2014

The Honorable Barbara A. Mikulski, ChairwomanThe Honorable Richard Shelby, Ranking MemberSubcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, andRelated AgenciesSenate Committee on AppropriationsWashington, DC 20510

The Honorable Tom Harkin, ChairmanThe Honorable Jerry Moran, Ranking MemberSubcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,Education and Related AgenciesSenate Committee on AppropriationsWashington, DC 20510

Dear Chairwoman Mikulski, Chairman Harkin, Senator Shelby and Senator Moran:

Thank you for your commitment to funding programs serving victims of domestic violence,dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. As the Commerce, Justice, Science and the Labor,Health and Human Services Subcommittees consider their Fiscal Year 2015 priorities, we urgeyou to fund the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Family Violence Prevention andServices Act (FVPSA) at the highest possible levels.

One year ago, Congress enacted the bipartisan Leahy-Crapo Violence Against WomenReauthorization Act, demonstrating its strong commitment to protecting and supporting victimsof domestic and sexual violence. Despite past achievements of programs administered throughthis law, the 2013 Domestic Violence Counts Census conducted by the National Network to EndDomestic Violence found that, on anyone day, nearly 10,000 requests for services were unmetdue to lack of resources. We must do more to address these unmet needs.

We recognize that you face significant budget constraints, but we urge you to support theseprograms fully because they not only save lives, they are a smart investment. These programshave long-term positive impacts for victims of abuse and children who witness violence againstfamily members. These programs help stop the generational cycle of violence. Assistancefunded through VAWA and FVPSA in 2014 provided emergency shelter, legal advocacy, andcounseling for victims in the aftermath of abuse. It provided training and educational sessionsfor parents, teachers, law enforcement, and other professionals to prevent, identify, and respondto domestic and sexual violence. In the first six years alone, VAWA is estimated to have savedtaxpayers over $12.6 billion in net averted social costs.

April 4, 2014Page 2 of5

Notwithstanding the clear benefits of these services, programs across the country areexperiencing severe budget shortfalls, forcing shelters to close and programs to reduce services.Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we invest in VAWA and FVPSA to ensure serviceproviders and law enforcement have the tools they need to protect victims, and to bringperpetrators of domestic and sexual violence to justice.

Thank you again for your past support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. We urge theSubcommittees to support the highest possible funding levels for these cost-effective, life-savingprograms administered by the Office on Violence Against Women/Department of Justice and theDepartment of Health and Human Services.

Sincerely,

~E~~United States Senator United States Senator

CHRISTOPHER A. COONSUnited States Senator

KELL Y AYOTTEUnited States Senator

WLn~. - t»rtt- Ga.~, ".ROBERT P. CASEY, JR.United States Senator

CARL LEVINUnited States Senator

MICHAEL F. BENNETUnited States Senator

KIRSTEN GILLIBRANDUnited States Senator

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TOM UDALLUnited States Senator

~--DEBBIE STABENOWUnited States Senator

United States Senator

United States Senator

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United States Senator

BARBARA BOXERUnited States Senator

A~\~AMY KLOBUCHARUnited States Senator

ALFRANKENUnited States Senator

CHARLES E. SCHUMERUnited States Senator

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JEANNE SHAHEENUnited States Senator

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~SHELDON WHITEHOUSEUnited States Senator

MARTIN HEINRICHUnited States Senator

'l:m~RICHARD J. DURBINUnited States Senator

~t~SHERROD ' IUnited States Senator

Ik:-iiiict~~United States Senator

~MARK UDALLUnited States Senator

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i.J..L ~BALDWIN LIZABETH WARREN

nited States Senator