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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President


For Immediate Release May 15, 2000

STATEMENT BY THE VICE PRESIDENT ON THE SUPREME COURT DECISION TO

OVERTURN A KEY PROVISION OF THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT

I am deeply disappointed that, in a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court today struck down a key provision of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The Court struck down the important provision that gave victims of gender-motivated violence the power to sue their attackers for lost earnings, medical expenses, and other damages. Each year an alarming number of women fall prey to gender-motivated acts of violence. This decision is a setback for these women who each day strive to heal and repair the broken pieces in their lives caused by domestic violence.

The Supreme Court's decision today does not strike down all of VAWA. It leaves in place grant programs that have assisted communities in addressing the plague of violence against women in ways that have made a crucial difference to women across the nation. Nor does it affect federal criminal provisions that punish interstate domestic violence and stalking crimes.

But the authorization for VAWA funding runs out at the end of fiscal year 2000. I will do everything in my power to reauthorize the funding of this critically important legislation, and pledge my wholehearted commitment to work with Congress to try to restore this important protection for victims of gender-motivated violence.

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