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WASHINGTON, DC 20510

April 4, 2014

The Honorable Barbara A. Mikulski, Chairwoman The Honorable Richard Shelby, Ranking Member Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Senate Committee on Appropriations Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Tom Harkin, Chairman The Honorable Jerry Moran, Ranking Member Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Senate Committee on Appropriations Washington, 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 urge you to fund the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) at the highest possible levels. One year ago, Congress enacted the bipartisan Leahy-Crapo Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, demonstrating its strong commitment to protecting and supporting victims of domestic and sexual violence. Despite past achievements of programs administered through this law, the 2013 Domestic Violence Counts Census conducted by the National Network to End Domestic Violence found that, on anyone day, nearly 10,000 requests for services were unmet due 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 these programs fully because they not only save lives, they are a smart investment. These programs have long-term positive impacts for victims of abuse and children who witness violence against family members. These programs help stop the generational cycle of violence. Assistance funded through VAWA and FVPSA in 2014 provided emergency shelter, legal advocacy, and counseling for victims in the aftermath of abuse. It provided training and educational sessions for parents, teachers, law enforcement, and other professionals to prevent, identify, and respond to domestic and sexual violence. In the first six years alone, VAWA is estimated to have saved taxpayers over $12.6 billion in net averted social costs.

April 4, 2014 Page 2 of5 Notwithstanding the clear benefits of these services, programs across the country are experiencing 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 service providers and law enforcement have the tools they need to protect victims, and to bring perpetrators of domestic and sexual violence to justice. Thank you again for your past support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. We urge the Subcommittees to support the highest possible funding levels for these cost-effective, life-saving programs administered by the Office on Violence Against Women/Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Sincerely,

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United States Senator

CHRISTOPHER A. COONS United States Senator

KELL Y AYOTTE United States Senator

CARL LEVIN United States Senator

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ROBERT P. CASEY, JR. United States Senator

MICHAEL F. BENNET United States Senator

KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND United States Senator

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TOM UDALL United States Senator

BARBARA BOXER United States Senator

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DEBBIE STABENOW United States Senator

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United States Senator AMY KLOBUCHAR United States Senator

ALFRANKEN United States Senator

United States Senator

CHARLES E. SCHUMER United States Senator

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JEANNE SHAHEEN United States Senator

SHELDON WHITEHOUSE United States Senator

MARTIN HEINRICH United States Senator

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RICHARD J. DURBIN United States Senator

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MARK UDALL United States Senator

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BALDWIN LIZABETH WARREN nited States Senator