DNC Women’s Media Director Elizabeth Renda released the following statement after House Democrats passed a full reauthorization and expansion of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which expired in February:

“Today, House Democrats took a bold stand for women. The Violence Against Women Act provides support and resources for victims, survivors, and communities to help keep women safe, including critical federal funding for domestic violence shelters across the country. While Republicans are opposing the vital reauthorization of this law under the cover of the NRA’s shameful quest to preserve domestic abusers’ access to guns, Democrats are committed to ending domestic violence and sexual assault. That’s why we expanded VAWA’s protections for LGBTQ, Native American, and immigrant women, while also making it harder for those convicted of domestic violence to acquire firearms. It’s time for Senate Republicans to join Democrats working to protect women from violence and abuse by reauthorizing this critically important legislation. The DNC is proud to stand with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Karen Bass, and all House Democrats in the fight to pass a full reauthorization and expansion of the Violence Against Women Act.”