– On Monday  Congressman Rodney Davis of Taylorville and 16 Republican Colleagues sent a letter to Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor urging that the House of Representatives reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

The Violence Against Women Act was first signed into law in 1994 and subsequently reauthorized in 2000 and 2005. The legislation is a vital resource for communities and organizations that help victims of sexual abuse and violence. During the 112th Congress, both the House of Representatives and Senate passed their own versions of VAWA but no final legislation was presented for a vote in either chamber. Davis and his colleagues believe the legislation should be advanced quickly to ensure the programs that rely on VAWA not be put in jeopardy.