Senate Passes the Economic Recovery Bill

Editorial Note:
While there is much to celebrate in the passage of this bill, we should continue also to be vigilant at state and local levels where massive budget shortfalls still threaten to bring an end to programs vital to the goal of bringing an end to violence; sexual and domestic. It is amazing to me what we are able to accomplish on shoestring budgets, but more needs to be done to bring people in and help them see that they too must have ownership of this cause. We have all been affected by violence; it's just that some of us don't know it yet and I am alive today because of advocates like you. "Never give up! Never! Never! Never give up!"

Senate Passes the Economic Recovery Bill
The Senate version includes $300 million for the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), specifically for Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors (STOP) state formula grants; out of which, $50 million will be allocated to the VAWA Transitional Housing program; and $100 million for the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA).
All Democratic Senators along with three Republican Senators: Susan Collins (ME), Olympia Snowe (ME) and Arlen Specter (PA) voted in favor of the bill. We encourage you to call your Senators and thank them for their vote in favor of the Economic Recovery bill.

Next Steps
The Senate-House will form a conference committee to reconcile the differences in the bill. Stay tuned for updates, including an action alert with talking points. While we have overcome a major obstacle in the Senate, we will still need your support during the Conference Committee process, when the House conferees scrutinize the bill. Stay tuned for updates and an action alert with talking points. http://www.nnedv.org/actionalerts.html The National Network to End Domestic Violence.