News

NIWRC Supports Provisions for Survivors in House Stimulus Package

NIWRC News

Lawmakers Hear Your Voices!

On Feb. 8th, the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee included the following DV/SA funding in their “reconciliation package/bill,” which is the vehicle and process for the next COVID-19 relief package. The reconciliation package is supplemental funding, not annual appropriations. These provisions track the collective asks of our grassroots nationwide and are responsive to survivors’ needs! We thank Committee members and call on all members of the House of Representatives and Senators to continue to support these provisions for victims of domestic and sexual violence.

As many survivors struggle with severe trauma reactions due to the increased stress of the pandemic, tribes, culturally specific programs, and rape crisis centers are struggling to meet those needs, including finding innovative solutions to respond given COVID-19. Through the leadership of Committee Chairman Scott, there is help on the way in the relief package. The National Indigenous Women's Resource Center is excited to support these provisions:

  • $18 million for tribes to address domestic violence
  • $180 million for the Family Violence Prevention & Services Act (FVPSA) (building upon the $45 million allocated via the CARES Act last year)
  • $2 million for the National Domestic Violence Hotline and StrongHearts Native Helpline

  • $49.5 million for culturally specific programs
  • $198 million for sexual assault services through rape crisis centers

What’s next?

The House Education and Labor Committee began “mark up” of their bill Feb. 9th. After the Committee completes their mark up, the bill will then go to the full U.S. House for a vote. Once the U.S. House passes their package, the bill will be sent to the U.S. Senate.

We are really hopeful the above provisions will remain in the final package and that the package will pass the House and Senate to be signed by President Biden.

Please thank Committee members and ask your Representatives and Senators to support victims through these provisions.

For more information, contact Paula Julian, Senior Policy Specialist, NIWRC, at pjulian@niwrc.org.

Thanks to the National Network to End Domestic Violence as we adapted language from their update.