Time to pass the Violence Against Women Act

In a tweet on March 9, Sen. Joni Ernst stated, 'The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides desperately needed resources for programs that tackle domestic & sexual abuse in our communities. We must work together to reauthorize this critical piece of legislation.”

Ernst has been promising this important piece of legislation would be passed. And, time and again, she has brought forth no bill. Women are dying at the hands of their partners, spouses, and family members. Women cannot wait. Women need the Violence Against Women Act to be passed, it has been expired since the end of 2018.

It seems that Ernst has forgotten her promise to work on bipartisan legislation and pass a VAWA bill. But, we can assure Ernst that Iowa's women have not forgotten. Her inaction speaks loudly. Ernst must stand with Iowa's women and reauthorize the Violence Against Women's Act. There is no time to wait.

Janice Larison

Cedar Rapids