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FVPSA Victory in the Senate

Senators have heard your concerns about the need for critical victim services and have responded with funding increases for domestic violence shelters and services and important prevention efforts.

• FVPSA has been funded at $125 million, a $2.4 million increase over FY '08.
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline has been fully funded at $3.5 million!
• The Rape Prevention and Education program was funded at $43 million, an increase of $1.2 million.
• The DELTA program to prevent domestic violence was level-funded at $5 million.
• For more information about these essential programs, please read NNEDV's Appropriations Briefing Book.

This is a significant victory, because there is little extra money in the LHHS appropriations bill and FVPSA and other domestic violence programs compete with larger health and education programs. Many programs received no funding increases, meaning our increases are a real success!

This is an important step toward meeting victims' needs. These increases restore cuts to funding in last year's budget, but we know that they still do not meet the need in the field.

This is just the beginning. There will be more steps in the appropriations process before we secure funding for FVPSA, the Hotline, DELTA and RPE. For more information about the Budget and Appropriations timeline, see NNEDV's Budget and Appropriations Overview.

We will continue advocating for further increases to FVPSA funding, but Congress needs to hear from us now so that the increases to shelter funding and important prevention programs stay in their final bill!

Thank the Senate Appropriations Committee!

We are grateful for the leadership of Senate Appropriators and other Senators:

• LHHS Subcommittee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA)
• LHHS Subcommittee Ranking Member Arlen Specter (R-PA)
• Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert Byrd (D-WV)
• Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Thad Cochran (R-MS)
• All members of the Senate Appropriations Committee
• The many Senators who advocated for increased funding

Want to know if your Senators played a key role in the Appropriations?

• Visit the Senate Appropriations Committee Website.

• View the list of Senators who signed a letter earlier this year requesting increased funding for FVPSA, VAWA and VOCA.

Call your Senators today and say "Thank you!" for supporting FVPSA and the Hotline!

Tell your Senators:

• Your name and the city and state you live in.
• Thank you for supporting increases to funding in the LHHS appropriations bill for the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and prevention programs.
• If you have time, you can tell your Senators how critical FVPSA funding is for your programs and how these increases will help you meet the needs of victims and families in your community.

Never called your Senators before? Don't worry, it's easy!

• When you call your Senators' office, your call will be answered by a receptionist. Tell him or her that you want to leave a message for the Senator. The receptionist will take down your message.

• Not sure who your Senators are? Visit www.senate.gov to find their names and contact information.

What happens next?

It is unclear when the House Appropriations Communication may deal with the LHHS bill. We may have more news soon, and possibly more actions for you to take. We know it is a time of intense activity and we thank you for all of your hard work!

Earlier this month, the House and Senate Appropriations Committee passed their Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) bills with increases to VAWA and VOCA.  After these CJS and LHHS bills are passed out of Committee the full House and Senate may vote on them. This could be as soon as next month or as late as the fall.

After the House and Senate pass their separate bills, they must be rectified into one final bill that is passed by Congress and signed by the President (who has threatened to veto bills that increase spending beyond his requested budget).

It is possible that Congress will not finish the Appropriations process this calendar year, and will have to finish in February or March. But they need to hear from us now, so that we don't get left out of the process!

For more information about the Budget and Appropriations timeline, see NNEDV's Budget and Appropriations Overview.  

Thank you! Increases to federal funding are only possible with your efforts!

This is a great step in the right direction for victims, families, and communities, and it is all thanks to your advocacy with Congress! Thank you again for taking action and contacting your Senators about the importance of increased and continued FVPSA funding for your community.

Thanks again for being a voice for survivors! We know how very busy you are saving lives every day. Taking a few minutes to call or write your Member of Congress has a TREMENDOUS impact. Telling your stories helps Members of Congress understand how successful and critical FVPSA is to save lives, rebuild families, and prevent future crimes.