Eldridge Criticizes Boozman on Anniversary of Violence Against Women Act

LITTLE ROCK – Former prosecutor and U.S. Attorney Conner Eldridge, who is running for the U.S. Senate, today released the following statement criticizing Senator John Boozman on voting against the Violence Against Women Act and its reauthorization. Today marks three years since the Violence Against Women Act was last reauthorized by Congress in 2013.

Statement Conner Eldridge:

“Today marks three years since Congress reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) – landmark legislation that is helping Arkansas fight the scourge of violence against women, particularly domestic violence. As a prosecutor, I’ve seen VAWA make a difference in the lives of women and girls by ensuring an aggressive response to domestic violence and human trafficking, providing assistance to victims, and working to enhance efforts to prevent and prosecute these horrible crimes.

“Senator John Boozman voted not once, but twice against the Violence Against Women Act. This is yet another example of how Washington has changed Senator Boozman and how he’s ignoring the voices and values of Arkansans. Given his consistent opposition to the Violence Against Women Act and Sen. Boozman’s support of Donald Trump should he secure the nomination, women in Arkansas have a clear choice this election between a career politician and prosecutor who gets things done."

BACKGROUND:

Boozman Voted Against Reauthorizing The Violence Against Women Act. In 2013, Boozman voted against: “passage of the bill that would reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act for five years. The law, which expired in 2011, provides protections and assistance programs to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. The bill would authorize funds for law enforcement training programs, prosecution and victim services. It would give American Indian tribal courts additional authority over non-tribal domestic violence offenders. It would make it illegal for victim services organizations that receive grant funding through the law to discriminate on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. As amended, the bill also would extend through 2017 a law that provides protections and assistance programs to trafficking victims. It would allow underage sex-trafficking victims to receive assistance under grants provided to help children exposed to violence.” The bill passed by a vote of 78-22. [CQ, 2/12/13; S. 47, Vote 19, 2/12/13]

• VAWA “Has Shielded Millions Of Women From Abuse And Helped Reduce National Rates Of Domestic Violence.” “The 78-22 Senate vote to reauthorize the two-decade-old act that has shielded millions of women from abuse and helped reduce national rates of domestic violence turns the focus to the House, where Republican leaders are working to come up with their own version… The act provides grants to state and local authorities for legal assistance, transitional housing, law enforcement training, stalker databases and domestic violence hotlines. The Senate bill extends the act for five years and provides $659 million for VAWA programs, down 17 percent from the last reauthorization in 2005.” [AP, 2/12/13]
• PolitiFact: Domestic Abuse Against Women Dropped 50 Percent Since Congress First Passed Violence Against Women Act. “That’s a lot of scholarship and paper, sponsored, collected and analyzed by federal and independent researchers. And while the results don’t perfectly align, all agree that the incidence of domestic abuse has dropped by more than 50 percent since the Violence Against Women Act was passed in 1994.” [PolitiFact, 2/7/13]

April 2012: Boozman Voted Against Reauthorizing Violence Against Women Act. In 2012, Boozman voted against: “passage of the bill that would reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act for five years. It would provide for a special category of temporary visas for immigrant women who have been victims of domestic violence.” The measure was passed by a vote of 68-31. [CQ, 4/26/12; S. 1925, Vote 87, 4/26/12]