President's Proposed FY '09 Budget Would Harm Victims
3/14/08: VICTORY--The Biden VAWA Budget amendment passed unanimously! Thank you all for your calls – it really worked! Please send thank yous to Senator Cardin who is on the Committee and Senator Mikulski who was an amendment sponsor. We are so lucky in Maryland to have these two outstanding Senators.
Our efforts paid off! The Biden amendment to the budget will increase the funds available for VAWA programs by $100 million. This is critical in our efforts to increase funding for VAWA in the Budget and Appropriations process for FY 2009.
Now that the Biden amendment has passed, the Senate Budget Resolution includes more money that can be available for VAWA programs. The House and Senate will now have to work out a compromise Budget Resolution.
The good news is that this means the Appropriations Committee will likely have more money in the Budget Resolution to enable them fully fund VAWA programs! It also puts the Senate on record as supporting increased VAWA funding – a big help during the Appropriations process later this year.
Action is still needed to ensure VAWA funding!
This week, the Senate will be circulating a letter in support of VAWA funding -- we'll need your help getting your Senators to sign onto the letter.
Meet with Your Members of Congress in Your Home Town
All your Senators and Representatives will be in their home districts for "recess" from March 15-30. This is a great chance to meet with them or their staff and tell them how important VAWA, FVPSA and VOCA funding are for your communtiy. You can schedule a meeting with them or invite them to tour your program or speak at an event. They and their staff really appreciate getting to meet you – it’s a win-win situation, and it has a HUGE impact on behalf of survivors. Your state coalition can help you navigate the process. Check out our new guide to lobbying in your district: http://www.nnedv.org/docs/Policy/LobbyingGuide.pdf.
3/4/08:
Devastating cuts to the FY '08 budget are already forcing programs to turn victims away!
Take Action now to save lives by increasing VAWA & FVPSA funding and raising the VOCA cap!
The Situation
The Fiscal Year (FY) ‘08 budget passed by Congress in December, 2007 included staggering cuts to the Victims of Crime Act Fund (VOCA) – the impact is now being felt by victim service providers across the country who have lost core funding.
Yesterday, the President announced his FY ‘09 Federal Budget. If enacted it would be devastating for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking.
It proposes:
- A decimating $120 million cut from the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA);
- Maintaining $122.6 million for the Family Violence Prevention Services and Act (FVPSA) $52.4 million less than its authorized amount;
- Institutionalizing FY ‘08’s devastating $35 million cut to the Victims of Crime Act (V0CA) Fund cap; and
- The ELIMINATION of the VOCA Fund – a $2 billion loss!
If passed, the President’s budget would catastrophically compound the $35 million cut to VOCA, the probable additional administrative cuts of $41.3 million to VOCA, and the cuts to VAWA and FVPSA. The President’s proposal would further endanger victims’ lives since the current budget cuts are already forcing programs to scramble to continue to be lifelines for millions of victims across this country.
Learn more about the cuts: http://www.nnedv.org/docs/Policy/FY08Recap.pdf
What You Can Do
The President’s budget is only the first step in the appropriations process.
Your actions RIGHT NOW are crucial in order to secure needed funding for essential VAWA programs, FVPSA and the VOCA Fund.
Learn more about the appropriations process: http://www.nnedv.org/pdf/BudgetandAppropriationsOverview.pdf
Join in our national VAWA, FVPSA and VOCA call-in week starting today!
Call your Members of Congress on NNEDV’s toll-free number: 1.888.256.7413
To find your Senators and Representatives names, go to: www.senate.gov or www.house.gov.
Call the toll-free number and ask for your member of Congress. Tell your Member of Congress:
“Hello, my name is ____and I am a constituent, from (include your state and town or zip____).”
“In the Fiscal Year ‘09 Congressional Budget, I urge you to:
- Fully fund the Violence Against Women Act and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act;
- Raise the Victims of Crime Act Fund Cap to $717 million; and
- Protect the Victims of Crime Act from elimination.”
“Thank you.”
Passionate advocates making phones ring off the hook in the Capitol will send a clear message to our Congress: You must fulfill the promises of VAWA, FVPSA and VOCA!
Never called your Senators or Representatives before? Don't worry, it's easy!
Call 1-888-256-7413 to be connected to the Capitol Switchboard. Tell them the name of your Senator/Representative and they will connect you to their office. When you call your Senator or Representative, your call will be answered by a receptionist (often an intern). Tell him or her that you want to leave a message for the Senator or Representative. The receptionist will take down your message. Be sure to speak slowly and clearly so they can write down your message.
Send Your Senators and Representatives a Letter
Personalize and send (fax or email) the letter at the link below to your Senators and Representatives. Let’s make sure our Members of Congress know that VAWA, FVPSA and VOCA save lives!
Sample Letter: http://www.nnedv.org/docs/Policy/SampleLetter-LocalPrograms-FY09.doc
The more personal and descriptive you can be in these letters, the better. Members of Congress are interested in learning about how these federal dollars impact their local constituents. The letter is designed for local programs and should be printed on organizational letterhead. If you are an individual, simply delete references to "programs" and talk about why this issue is important to you and your community.
Find email and fax information for your Members of Congress through www.senate.gov or www.house.gov.
THANK YOU FOR ACTING RIGHT NOW TO SAVE LIVES!
Your calls and actions in 2007 helped secure a remarkable $17.3 million increase in VAWA programs and saved the VOCA Fund from elimination! To see the increases in VAWA for FY ‘08, visit http://www.nnedv.org/docs/Policy/AppropsChartFY08_Omnibus.pdf
Your calls and letters depict the reality of survivors and their advocates, and are the best way to convey how VAWA, FVPSA and VOCA programs save lives, rebuild families and prevent future crimes. Congressional staff count every call and letter -- your voice will be heard! Thank you for being a voice for survivors!
