5th District Congresswoman Jahana Hayes has voted for the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.  She says it builds upon the progress forged over the two-and-a-half decades since this legislation was first passed. 

Hayes noted that since then, the rate of domestic violence in America has fallen by half.  But 1 in 3 women still experience domestic violence. 

4th District Congressman Jim Himes is touting the inclusion of a version of the Lori Jackson Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act in the reauthorization of VAWA.  The measure he introduced expands the definition of “intimate partner” to include dating relationships and also prevent people subject to emergency or temporary protective orders from possessing guns.

Lori Jackson was a 32 years old Oxford resident murdered by her estranged husband who legally obtained a firearm even though he was subject to a temporary restraining order.