“FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND SERVICES IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2021.....” published by Congressional Record in the House of Representatives section on Oct. 26, 2021

By East Central Texas News

Oct 26, 2021

was mentioned in FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND SERVICES IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2021..... on pages H5885-H5908 covering the 1st Session of the 117th Congress published on Oct. 26, 2021 in the Congressional Record.

The publication is reproduced in full below:

FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND SERVICES IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2021

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 716, I call up the bill (H.R. 2119) to amend the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to make improvements, and ask for its immediate consideration.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 716, in lieu of the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and Labor, printed in the bill, an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 117-15, modified by the amendment printed in part A of House Report 117-137 is adopted and the bill, as amended, is considered read.

The text of the bill, as amended, is as follows:

H.R. 2119

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES; SEVERABILITY.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021''.

(b) References.--Except as otherwise specified, amendments made by this Act to a section or other provision of law are amendments to such section or other provision of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10401 et seq.).

(c) Severability.--If any provision of this Act, an amendment made by this Act, or the application of such provision or amendment to any person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act, the amendments made by this Act, and the application of such provision or amendment to any person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

Subsection (b) of section 301 (42 U.S.C. 10401) is amended to read as follows:

``(b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this title to improve services and interventions for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence, and to advance primary and secondary prevention of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence by--

``(1) assisting States and territories in supporting local domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence programs to provide accessible, trauma-informed, culturally relevant residential and non-residential services to domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence victims and their children and dependents;

``(2) strengthening the capacity of Indian Tribes to exercise their sovereign authority to respond to domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence committed against Indians;

``(3) providing for a network of technical assistance and training centers to support effective policy, practice, research, and cross-system collaboration to improve intervention and prevention efforts throughout the country;

``(4) supporting the efforts of State, territorial, and Tribal coalitions to document and address the needs of victims and their children and dependents, including victims and their children and dependents who are underserved, implement effective coordinated community and systems responses, and promote ongoing public education and community engagement;

``(5) maintaining national domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence hotlines, including a national Indian domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence hotline; and

``(6) supporting the development and implementation of evidence-informed, coalition-led, and community-based primary prevention approaches and programs.''.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

Section 302 (42 U.S.C. 10402) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 302. DEFINITIONS.

``In this title:

``(1) Alaska native.--The term `Alaska Native' has the meaning given the term Native in section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602).

``(2) Child.--The term `child' means an individual who is--

``(A) younger than age 18; and

``(B) not an emancipated minor.

``(3) Dating partner.--

``(A) In general.--The term `dating partner' means any person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with an abuser, and where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of one or more of the following factors:

``(i) The length of the relationship.

``(ii) The type of the relationship.

``(iii) The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.

``(iv) The cultural context of the relationship.

``(B) Construction.--Sexual contact is not a necessary component of a relationship described in subparagraph (A).

``(4) Digital services.--The term `digital services' means services, resources, information, support, or referrals provided through electronic communications platforms and media, which may include mobile phone technology, video technology, computer technology (including use of the internet), and any other emerging communications technologies that are appropriate for the purposes of providing services, resources, information, support, or referrals for the benefit of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence.

``(5) Domestic violence, dating violence, family violence.--The terms `domestic violence', `dating violence', and `family violence' mean any act, threatened act, or pattern of acts of physical or sexual violence, stalking, harassment, psychological abuse, economic abuse, technological abuse, or any other form of abuse, including threatening to commit harm against children or dependents or other members of the household of the recipient of the threat for the purpose of coercion, threatening, or causing harm, directed against--

``(A) a dating partner or other person similarly situated to a dating partner under the laws of the jurisdiction;

``(B) a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the person committing such an act;

``(C) a current or former spouse or other person similarly situated to a spouse under the laws of the jurisdiction;

``(D) a person who shares a child or dependent in common with the person committing such an act;

``(E) a person who is related by marriage, blood, or is otherwise legally related; or

``(F) any other person who is protected from any such act under the domestic or family violence laws, policies, or regulations of the jurisdiction.

``(6) Economic abuse.--The term `economic abuse', when used in the context of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence, means behavior that is coercive or deceptive related to a person's ability to acquire, use, or maintain economic resources to which they are entitled, or that unreasonably controls or restrains a person's ability to acquire, use, or maintain economic resources to which they are entitled. This includes using coercion, fraud, or manipulation to--

``(A) restrict a person's access to money, assets, credit, or financial information;

``(B) unfairly use a person's personal economic resources, including money, assets, and credit, for one's own advantage; or

``(C) exert undue influence over a person's financial and economic behavior or decisions, including forcing default on joint or other financial obligations, exploiting powers of attorney, guardianship, or conservatorship, or failing or neglecting to act in the best interests of a person to whom one has a fiduciary duty.

``(7) Indian; indian tribe; tribal organization.--The terms

`Indian', `Indian Tribe', and `Tribal organization' have the meanings given the terms `Indian', `Indian tribe', and

`tribal organization', respectively, in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

``(8) Institution of higher education.--The term

`institution of higher education' has the meaning given such term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).

``(9) Native hawaiian.--The term `Native Hawaiian' has the meaning given the term in section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

``(10) Personally identifying information.--The term

`personally identifying information' has the meaning given the term in section 40002(a) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(a)).

``(11) Population specific services.--The term `population specific services' has the meaning given such term in section 40002(a) of the Violence Against Women Act (34 U.S.C. 12291(a)).

``(12) Racial and ethnic minority group; racial and ethnic minority population.--The terms `racial and ethnic minority group' and `racial and ethnic minority population' include each group listed in the definition of such term in section 1707(g) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300u-6(g)).

``(13) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

``(14) Shelter.--The term `shelter' means the provision of temporary refuge and basic necessities, in conjunction with supportive services, provided on a regular basis, in compliance with applicable State, Tribal, territorial, or local law to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence and their children and dependents. Such law includes regulations governing the provision of safe homes and other forms of secure temporary lodging, meals, other basic necessities, or supportive services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence and their children and dependents.

``(15) State.--The term `State' means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and, except as otherwise provided, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

``(16) State domestic violence coalition.--The term `State Domestic Violence Coalition' means a statewide nongovernmental nonprofit private domestic violence, dating violence, and family organization designated by the Secretary that--

``(A) has a membership that includes a majority of the primary-purpose domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence service providers in the State;

``(B) has board membership that is representative of primary-purpose domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence service providers, and which may include representatives of the communities in which the services are being provided in the State;

``(C) has as its purpose to provide education, support, and technical assistance to such service providers to enable the providers to establish and maintain shelter and supportive services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence and their children and dependents; and

``(D) serves as an information clearinghouse, primary point of contact, and resource center on domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence for the State and supports the development of polices, protocols, and procedures to enhance domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence intervention and prevention in the State.

``(17) Supportive services.--The term `supportive services' means services for adult and youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence, and children and dependents exposed to domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence, that are designed to--

``(A) meet the needs of such victims of domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence, and their children and dependents, for short-term, transitional, or long-term safety; and

``(B) provide counseling, advocacy, or assistance for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence, and their children and dependents.

``(18) Technological abuse.--The term `technological abuse' means an act or pattern of behavior that--

``(A) occurs within domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence;

``(B) is intended to harm, threaten, intimidate, control, stalk, harass, impersonate, exploit, extort, or monitor, except as otherwise permitted by law, another person; and

``(C) uses any form of information technology, including any of the following:

``(i) Internet-enabled devices.

``(ii) Online spaces or platforms.

``(iii) Computers, mobile devices, or software applications.

``(iv) Location tracking devices.

``(v) Communication technologies.

``(vi) Cameras or imaging platforms.

``(vii) Any other emerging technology.

``(19) Tribal domestic violence coalition.--The term

`Tribal domestic violence coalition' means an established nonprofit, nongovernmental Indian organization recognized by the Office of Violence Against Women at the Department of Justice that--

``(A) provides education, support, and technical assistance to member Indian service providers in a manner that enables the member providers to establish and maintain culturally appropriate services, including shelter (including supportive services) designed to assist Indian victims of domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence and the children and dependents of such victims; and

``(B) is comprised of members that are representative of--

``(i) the member service providers described in subparagraph (A); and

``(ii) the Tribal communities in which the services are being provided.

``(20) Tribally designated official.--The term `Tribally designated official' means an individual designated by an Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or nonprofit private organization authorized by an Indian Tribe, to administer a grant under section 309.

``(21) Underserved populations; underserved individuals.--The terms `underserved populations' and `underserved individuals' mean victims of domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence, and their children and dependents who face obstacles in accessing and using State, Tribal, territorial, or local domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence services, or who may be overrepresented in experiencing domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence due to historical barriers. Populations may be underserved on the basis of, marginalized racial and ethnic minority populations, Indigenous status, cultural and language barriers, immigration status, disabilities, mental health needs, sexual orientation or gender identity, age (including both elders and children), geographical location, faith or religious practice or lack thereof, or other bases, as determined by the Secretary.

``(22) Victim.--The term `victim' means an individual against whom an act of domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence is carried out.

``(23) Youth.--The term `youth' has the meaning given the term in section 4002(a) of the Violence Against Women Act (34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(45)).''.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

Section 303 (42 U.S.C. 10403) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 303. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

``(a) Authorization.--

``(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out sections 301 through 312 and 316, $270,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.

``(2) Reservations for grants to tribes.--Of the amounts appropriated under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year, 12.5 percent shall be reserved and used to carry out section 309.

``(3) Formula grants to states.--Of the amounts appropriated under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year and not reserved under paragraph (2) (referred to in this subsection as the `remainder'), not less than 70 percent shall be used for making grants under section 306(a).

``(4) Technical assistance and training centers.--Of the remainder, not less than 6 percent shall be used to carry out section 310.

``(5) Grants for state and tribal domestic violence coalitions.--Of the remainder--

``(A) not less than 10 percent shall be used to carry out section 311; and

``(B) not less than 3 percent shall be used to carry out section 311A.

``(6) Specialized services.--Of the remainder, not less than 5 percent shall be used to carry out section 312.

``(7) Culturally specific services.--Of the remainder, not less 2.5 percent shall be used to carry out section 316.

``(8) Administration, evaluation, and monitoring.--Of the remainder, not more than 3.5 percent shall be used by the Secretary for evaluation, monitoring, and other administrative costs under this title.

``(b) National Domestic Violence Hotline.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 313

$14,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.

``(c) National Indian Domestic Violence Hotline.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 313A

$4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.

``(d) Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Alliances.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 314 $26,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.

``(e) Grants for Underserved Populations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 315

$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.

``(f) Research and Evaluation.--There is authorized to be appropriated for research and evaluation of activities under this title $3,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.''.

SEC. 5. AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY.

Section 304 (42 U.S.C. 10404) is amended--

(1) in subsection (a)--

(A) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``or institutions of higher education, including to support and evaluate demonstration or discretionary projects in response to current and emerging issues,'' after ``nongovernmental entities''; and

(B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010'' and inserting ``Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021'';

(2) in subsection (b)--

(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``have expertise in the field of family violence and domestic violence prevention and services and, to the extent practicable, have expertise in the field of dating violence;'' and inserting ``have expertise in the field of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence prevention and services;'';

(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``prevention and treatment of'' and inserting ``prevention of, intervention in, and treatment of,''; and

(i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; and

(ii) by adding after subparagraph (C) the following:

``(D) making grants to eligible entities or entering into contracts with for-profit or nonprofit nongovernmental entities or institutions of higher education to conduct domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence research or evaluation; and''; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

``(d) Emergency Authority.--

``(1) In general.--In response to any emergency or disaster described in paragraph (3), that substantially disrupts the provision of services under this title for the duration of the emergency or disaster, the Secretary may--

``(A) modify or broaden the allowable uses of funds by grantees and subgrantees solely to ensure the continuity of services authorized under this title, including for remote and mobile service delivery; and

``(B) modify or waive any administrative conditions, processes, or deadlines, including with respect to--

``(i) application requirements;

``(ii) reporting requirements; and

``(iii) grant award extensions.

``(2) Construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to allow altering or waiving the requirements in section 306(c)(2).

``(3) Emergencies described.--The emergencies and disasters described in this paragraph are the following:

``(A) A major disaster declared by the President under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170).

``(B) An emergency declared by the President under section 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5191).

``(C) A public health emergency determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services pursuant to section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d).''.

SEC. 6. ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS.

Section 305 (42 U.S.C. 10405) is amended--

(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

``(a) In General.--From the sums appropriated under section 303 and available for grants to States under section 306(a) for any fiscal year, each State shall be allotted for a grant under section 306(a), $600,000, with the remaining funds to be allotted to each State (other than Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) in an amount that bears the same ratio to such remaining funds as the population of such State bears to the population of all such States (excluding Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).'';

(2) in subsection (e), by striking ``under section 314'' each place such term appears and inserting ``under this title''; and

(3) by striking subsection (f).

SEC. 7. FORMULA GRANTS TO STATES.

Section 306 (42 U.S.C. 10406) is amended--

(1) in subsection (a)--

(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``dependents'' and inserting ``children and dependents''; and

(B) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``Indians, members of Indian Tribes, or'' after ``who are'';

(2) in subsection (c)--

(A) in paragraph (2)--

(i) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:

``(A) Application of civil rights provisions.--Programs and activities funded in whole or in part with funds made available under this title are considered to be programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance for the purpose of applying the prohibitions against discrimination under the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.), section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794), title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.), section 40002(b)(13)(A) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(b)(13)(A)), and title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.).'';

(ii) in subparagraph (B)(i)--

(I) by inserting ``, including sexual orientation or gender identity,'' after ``on the ground of sex''; and

(II) by striking the second sentence and inserting the following: ``If sex-segregated or sex-specific programming is necessary to the essential operation of a program, nothing in this paragraph shall prevent any such program or activity from being provided in a sex-specific manner. In such circumstances, grantees may meet the requirements of this paragraph by providing comparable services to individuals who cannot be provided with the sex-segregated or sex-specific programming.'';

(iii) in subparagraph (C)--

(I) by striking ``Indian tribe'' and inserting ``Indian Tribe''; and

(II) by striking ``tribally'' and inserting ``Tribally''; and

(iv) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``Indian tribe'' and inserting ``Indian Tribe'';

(B) by striking paragraph (4);

(4) and (5), respectively;

(D) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated--

(i) in subparagraph (A), by adding at the end the following: ``The nondisclosure of confidential or private information requirements under section 40002(b)(2) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(b)(2)) shall apply to grantees and subgrantees under this title in the same manner such requirements apply to grantees and subgrantees under such Act.'';

(ii) in subparagraph (G)(i), by striking ``tribal'' and inserting ``Tribal'';

(iii) by striking subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), and (F); and

(iv) by redesignating subparagraphs (E), (G), and (H) as subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D), respectively; and

(E) in paragraph (5), as so redesignated--

(i) by striking ``Indian tribe'' and inserting ``Indian Tribe''; and

(ii) by striking ``tribal'' and inserting ``Tribal''; and

(3) in subsection (d) by inserting ``and information on the development and implementation of barrier removal plans to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794)'' after ``activities,''.

SEC. 8. STATE APPLICATION.

Section 307 (42 U.S.C. 10407) is amended--

(1) in subsection (a)--

(A) in paragraph (1)--

(i) by striking ``tribally'' and inserting ``Tribally''; and

(ii) by adding ``For purposes of section 2007(c)(3) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, a State's application under this paragraph shall be deemed to be a

`State plan'.'' at the end; and

(B) in paragraph (2)--

(i) in subparagraph (B)--

(I) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking

``assurances'' and inserting ``certifications''; and

(II) in clause (iii)--

(aa) in subclause (I)--

(AA) by striking ``operation of shelters'' and inserting

``provision of shelter''; and

(BB) by striking ``dependents'' and inserting ``children and dependents''; and

(bb) in subclause (II), by striking ``dependents'' and inserting ``children and dependents'';

(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``an assurance'' and inserting ``a certification'';

(iii) in subparagraph (D)--

(I) by striking ``an assurance'' and inserting ``a certification'';

(II) by striking ``planning and monitoring'' and inserting

``planning, coordination, and monitoring''; and

(III) by striking ``and the administration of the grant programs and projects'' and inserting ``, the administration of the grant programs and projects, and the establishment of service standards and best practices for grantees'';

(iv) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``to underserved populations'' and all that follows through the semicolon and inserting ``for individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups, Tribal populations, and other underserved populations, in the State planning process, and how the State plan addresses the unmet needs of such populations, including a certification and description of how the State or Indian Tribe will disseminate information about the national resource centers authorized under section 310;'';

(v) in subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G), by striking

``Indian tribe'' each place such term appears and inserting

``Indian Tribe'';

(vi) in subparagraph (G), by striking ``tribally'' and inserting ``Tribally'';

(vii) by redesignating subparagraphs (H) and (I) as subparagraphs (I) and (J), respectively;

(viii) by inserting after subparagraph (G) the following:

``(H) describe how activities and services provided by the State or Indian Tribe are designed to promote trauma-informed care, autonomy, and privacy for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence, and their children and dependents, including in the design and delivery of shelter services;'';

(ix) in subparagraph (I), as so redesignated--

(I) by striking ``tribe'' and inserting ``Tribe'';

(II) by striking ``an assurance'' and inserting ``a certification'';

(III) by inserting ``, remove, or exclude'' after ``bar''; and

(IV) by striking ``and'' at the end;

(x) in subparagraph (J), as so redesignated, by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and

(xi) by adding at the end the following:

``(K) provide a certification that all funded entities demonstrate the ability to provide services for Deaf individuals and individuals with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794).''; and

(2) in subsection (b)--

(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``tribe'' each place such term appears and inserting ``Tribe''; and

(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``Indian tribes'' each place such term appears and inserting ``Indian Tribes''.

SEC. 9. SUBGRANTS AND USES OF FUNDS.

Section 308 (42 U.S.C. 10408) is amended--

(1) in subsection (a)--

(A) by striking ``that is designed'' and inserting ``that are designed''; and

(B) by striking ``dependents'' and inserting ``children and dependents'';

(2) in subsection (b)--

(A) in paragraph (1)--

(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--

(I) by striking ``shelter, supportive services, or prevention services'' and inserting ``shelter or supportive services'';

(II) by inserting ``or prevention services'' after

``dependents,''; and

(III) by striking ``include--'' and inserting ``include making material improvements in the accessibility of physical structures, transportation, communication, or digital services, as well as--'';

(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``developing safety plans'' and inserting ``safety planning'';

(iii) in subparagraph (E), by inserting ``for racial and ethnic minority groups'' before the semicolon;

(iv) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) through (H) as subparagraphs (G) through (I), respectively;

(v) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following:

``(F) provision of shelter and services to underserved populations;'';

(vi) in subparagraph (H), as so redesignated--

(I) in clause (i), by striking ``Federal and State'' and inserting ``Federal, State, and local'';

(II) in clause (iii), by striking ``mental health, alcohol, and drug abuse treatment), but which shall not include reimbursement for any health care services'' and inserting

``mental health and substance use disorder treatment)'';

(III) in clause (v), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon;

(IV) by redesignating clause (vi) as clause (vii);

(V) by inserting after clause (v) the following:

``(vi) language assistance, including translation of written materials and telephonic and in-person interpreter services, for victims with limited English proficiency, victims who are Deaf or hard of hearing, victims with sensory disabilities (including individuals who are blind or low vision), victims with speech-related disabilities, and victims with other disabilities; and''; and

(VI) in clause (vii), as so redesignated, by striking

``and'' at the end;

(vii) in subparagraph (I), as so redesignated, by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and

(viii) by adding at the end the following:

``(J) partnerships that enhance the design and delivery of services to victims and their children and dependents.'';

(B) in paragraph (2)--

(i) by striking ``supportive services and prevention services'' and inserting ``supportive services or prevention services''; and

(ii) by striking ``through (H)'' and inserting ``through

(I)'';

(other than in paragraph (1)(J)) and inserting ``children and dependents''; and

(D) by adding at the end the following:

``(3) Sense of congress regarding use of funds for removal of architectural barriers to accessibility.--It is the sense of the Congress that--

``(A) Deaf individuals and individuals with disabilities experience domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence at disproportionate rates;

``(B) domestic violence shelters are often not equipped to provide effective services to Deaf individuals and individuals with disabilities, which can act as an impediment to victims seeking and receiving services; and

``(C) the Secretary should allow subgrant funds received under this section to be used for making material improvements in the accessibility of physical structures, transportation, communication, or digital services.'';

(3) in subsection (c)--

(A) in paragraph (1)--

(i) by striking ``a local public agency, or''; and

(ii) by striking ``tribal organizations, and voluntary associations),'' and inserting ``Tribal organizations and voluntary associations) or a local public agency''; and

(iii) by striking ``dependents'' and inserting ``children and dependents''; and

(B) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:

``(2) an organization whose primary purpose is to provide culturally appropriate services to racial and ethnic minority groups, Tribal communities, or other underserved populations, that does not have a documented history of effective work concerning domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence, but that is in partnership with an organization described in paragraph (1).''; and

(4) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:

``(d) Voluntarily Accepted Services.--Participation in services under this title shall be voluntary. Receipt of the benefits of shelter described in subsection (b)(1)(A) shall not be conditioned upon the participation of the adult or youth, or their children or dependents, in any or all of the services offered under this title.''.

SEC. 10. GRANTS FOR INDIAN TRIBES.

Section 309 (42 U.S.C. 10409) is amended--

(1) in subsection (a)--

(A) by striking ``42 U.S.C. 14045d'' and inserting ``34 U.S.C. 20126'';

(B) by striking ``tribal'' and inserting ``Tribal'';

(D) by striking ``section 303(a)(2)(B)'' and inserting

``section 303 and made available''; and

(2) in subsection (b)--

(A) by striking ``Indian tribe'' each place such term appears and inserting ``Indian Tribe''; and

(B) by striking ``tribal organization'' each place such term appears and inserting ``Tribal organization''.

SEC. 11. NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTERS AND TRAINING AND TECHNICAL

ASSISTANCE CENTERS.

Section 310 (42 U.S.C. 10410) is amended--

(1) in subsection (a)(2)--

(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking

``under this title and reserved under section 303(a)(2)(C)'' and inserting ``under section 303 and made available to carry out this section'';

(B) in subparagraph (A)--

(i) in clause (i), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon;

(ii) in clause (ii)--

(I) by striking ``7'' and inserting ``10''; and

(II) by inserting ``dating violence, and family violence,'' after ``domestic violence,''; and

(iii) by adding at the end the following:

``(iii) an Alaska Native Tribal resource center on domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence, to reduce disparities in the rate of such violence within the Alaska Native population; and''; and

(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking

``grants, to'' and inserting ``grants to entities that focus on other critical issues, such as'';

(ii) in clause (i)--

(I) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family violence,'' after ``domestic violence'';

(II) by striking ``(including Alaska Native)''; and

(III) by striking ``and'' at the end; and

(iii) by amending clause (ii) to read as follows:

``(ii) entities demonstrating expertise related to--

``(I) addressing the housing needs of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence victims and their children and dependents;

``(II) developing leadership and advocacy skills among individuals from underserved populations; or

``(III) addressing other emerging issues related to domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence.'';

(2) in subsection (b)--

(A) in paragraph (1)--

(i) in subparagraph (A)--

(I) in clause (i)--

(aa) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family violence'' after ``domestic violence'' each place such term appears; and

(bb) by inserting ``and dependents'' after ``children''; and

(II) in clause (ii)--

(aa) in the matter preceding subclause (I), by inserting

``online'' after ``central'';

(bb) in subclause (I), by striking ``family violence and domestic violence'' and inserting ``domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence''; and

(cc) in subclause (II), by inserting ``, dating violence, and family violence'' after ``domestic violence''; and

(ii) in subparagraph (B)--

(I) in clause (i)--

(aa) by striking ``tribes and tribal organizations'' and inserting ``Tribes and Tribal organizations'';

(bb) by striking ``the tribes'' and inserting ``the Tribes'';

(cc) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family violence'' after ``domestic violence''; and

(dd) by striking ``42'' and all the follows through

``3796gg-10 note'' and inserting ``34 U.S.C. 10452 note'';

(II) in clause (ii)--

(aa) by striking ``tribes and tribal organizations'' and inserting ``Tribes and Tribal organizations''; and

(bb) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family violence'' after ``domestic violence'';

(cc) by striking ``42'' and all that follows through

``3796gg-10 note'' and inserting ``34 U.S.C. 10452 note''; and

(III) in clause (iii)--

(aa) by inserting ``dating violence, and family violence,'' after ``domestic violence,''; and

(bb) by inserting ``the Office for Victims of Crime and'' after ``Human Services, and'';

(B) in paragraph (2)--

(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--

(I) by striking ``State and local domestic violence service providers'' and inserting ``support effective policy, practice, research, and cross systems collaboration''; and

(II) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family violence'' after ``enhancing domestic violence'';

(ii) in subparagraph (A)--

(I) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family violence'' after ``to domestic violence''; and

(II) by striking ``which may include the response to the use of the self-defense plea by domestic violence victims and the issuance and use of protective orders'' and inserting

``including the issuance and use of protective orders, batterers' intervention programming, and responses to charged, incarcerated, and re-entering domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence victims'';

(iii) in subparagraph (B)--

(I) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family violence'' after ``domestic violence'' each place such term appears; and

(II) by striking ``dependents'' and inserting ``children'';

(iv) in subparagraph (C)--

(I) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family violence'' after ``domestic violence'' the first place such term appears; and

(II) by inserting ``, and the response of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence programs and other community organizations with respect to health advocacy and addressing the health of victims'' before the period;

(v) by amending subparagraph (D) to read as follows:

``(D) The response of mental health, substance use disorder treatment and recovery, domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence and related systems and programs to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence and their children and dependents who experience psychological trauma, mental health needs, or substance-use-related needs.'';

(vi) in subparagraph (E); by inserting ``, dating violence, and family violence'' after ``domestic violence'' each place such term appears; and

(vii) by adding at the end the following:

``(F) The response of the domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence programs and related systems to victims who are underserved due to sexual orientation or gender identity, including expanding the capacity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender organizations to respond to and prevent domestic violence.

``(G) Strengthening the organizational capacity of State, territorial, and Tribal domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence coalitions and of State, territorial, and Tribal administrators who distribute funds under this title to community-based domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence programs, with the aim of better enabling such coalitions and administrators--

``(i) to collaborate and respond effectively to domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence;

``(ii) to meet the conditions and carry out the provisions of this title; and

``(iii) to implement best practices to meet the emerging needs of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence and their families, children, and dependents.

``(H) The response of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence service providers to victims who are Deaf and victims with disabilities, including expanding the capacity of community-based organizations serving individuals who are Deaf and individuals with disabilities to respond to, and prevent, domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence.'';

(D) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:

``(3) Alaska native tribal resource center.--In accordance with subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall award a grant to an eligible entity for an Alaska Native Tribal resource center on domestic violence to reduce Tribal disparities, which shall--

``(A) offer a comprehensive array of technical assistance and training resources to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations, specifically designed to enhance the capacity of the Tribes and organizations to respond to domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence and the findings of section 901 and purposes in section 902 of the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (34 U.S.C. 10452 note);

``(B) coordinate all projects and activities with the national resource center described in paragraph (1)(B), including projects and activities that involve working with non-Tribal State and local governments to enhance their capacity to understand the unique needs of Alaska Natives;

``(C) work with non-Tribal State and local governments and domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence service providers to enhance their capacity to understand the unique needs of Alaska Natives;

``(D) provide comprehensive community education and domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence prevention initiatives in a culturally sensitive and relevant manner; and

``(E) coordinate activities with other Federal agencies, offices, and grantees that address the needs of Alaska Natives that experience domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence, including the Office of Justice Services of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Indian Health Service, and the Office for Victims of Crime and the Office on Violence Against Women of the Department of Justice.''; and

(E) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated--

(i) in subparagraphs (A) and (B)(i), by striking ``Indian tribes, tribal organizations'' each place such term appears and inserting ``Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations'';

(ii) in subparagraph (A). by inserting ``, dating violence, and family violence'' after ``domestic violence'';

(iii) in subparagraph (B)--

(I) in clause (i), by striking ``the tribes'' and inserting

``the Tribes'';

(II) in clause (ii), by striking ``nontribal'' and inserting ``non-Tribal''; and

(III) in clause (iii), by inserting ``, dating violence, and family violence'' after ``domestic violence''; and

(iv) by striking ``(including Alaska Natives)'' each place such term appears; and

(3) in subsection (c)--

(A) in paragraph (1)--

(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--

(I) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family violence'' after ``domestic violence''; and

(II) by striking ``or (D)'' and inserting ``(D), (F), or

(G)'';

(ii) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``dating violence, and family violence,'' after ``domestic violence,''; and

(iii) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:

``(B) includes individuals with demonstrated experience working in domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence programs, and, with respect to grantees described in subsection (b)(2)(F), individuals with demonstrated expertise in serving the targeted communities on the board of directors

(or advisory committee) and on the staff; and'';

(B) in paragraph (2)--

(i) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family violence'' after ``domestic violence'' each place such term appears;

(ii) by striking ``tribal organization'' each place such term appears and inserting ``Tribal organization'';

(iii) by striking ``Indian tribes'' each place such term appears and inserting ``Indian Tribes'';

(iv) by striking ``42'' and all that follows through

``3796gg-10 note'' each place such term appears and inserting

``34 U.S.C. 10452 note''; and

(v) by striking ``tribally'' and inserting ``Tribally'';

(i) in subparagraph (A)--

(I) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family violence'' after ``domestic violence'' the first place such term appears; and

(II) by inserting ``, dating violence, or family violence'' after ``domestic violence'' the second place such term appears; and

(ii) in subparagraph (B)--

(I) in clause (i), by inserting ``, dating violence, and family violence'' after ``domestic violence'' ; and

(II) in clause (ii), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon;

(III) in clause (iii), by striking the period and inserting

``; and''; and

(IV) by adding at the end the following:

``(iv) has a board of directors (or advisory committee) and staff with demonstrated expertise in serving the targeted community.'';

(D) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5);

(E) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:

``(4) Alaska native tribal resource center on domestic violence.--To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection

(b)(3), an entity shall be a Tribal organization or a nonprofit private organization that focuses primarily on issues of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence within Tribes in Alaska that submits information to the Secretary demonstrating--

``(A) experience working with Alaska Tribes and Tribal organizations to respond to domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence and the findings of section 901 of the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-162; 34 U.S.C. 10452 note);

``(B) experience providing Alaska Tribes and Tribal organizations with assistance in developing Tribally based prevention and intervention services addressing domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence and safety for Indian women consistent with the purposes of section 902 of the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-162; 34 U.S.C. 10452 note);

``(C) strong support for the entity's designation as the Alaska Native Tribal resource center on domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence from advocates working with Alaska Tribes to address domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence and the safety of Alaska Native women;

``(D) a record of demonstrated effectiveness in assisting Alaska Tribes and Tribal organizations with prevention and intervention services addressing domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence; and

``(E) the capacity to serve Tribes across the State of Alaska.''; and

(F) in paragraph (5), as so redesignated--

(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking

``(b)(3),'' and inserting ``(b)(4),''; and

(ii) in subparagraph (A)--

(I) in clause (i), by striking ``(including Alaska Natives)''; and

(II) in clause (ii)--

(aa) by striking ``Indian tribe, tribal organization'' and inserting ``Indian Tribe, Tribal organization''; and

(bb) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family violence'' after ``domestic violence''.

SEC. 12. GRANTS TO STATE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COALITIONS.

Section 311 (42 U.S.C. 10411) is amended--

(1) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``section 303(a)(2)(D)'' and inserting ``section 303 and made available to carry out this section'';

(2) in subsection (d)--

(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking

``shall include'';

(B) in paragraph (1)--

(i) by inserting ``, and evidence-informed prevention of,'' after ``comprehensive responses to''; and

(ii) by striking ``working with local'' and inserting

``shall include--

``(A) working with local'';

(C) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;

(D) in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1), as so redesignated--

(i) by striking ``dependents'' and inserting ``children and dependents''; and

(ii) by adding ``and'' after the semicolon; and

(E) by inserting after subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1), as so redesignated, the following:

``(D) collaborating with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations (and corresponding Native Hawaiian groups or communities) to address the needs of Indian (including Alaska Native) and Native Hawaiian victims of domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence, as applicable in the State; and'';

(F) in paragraph (4), by striking ``collaborating with and providing'' and inserting ``may include--

``(A) collaborating with and providing'';

(G) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (2);

(H) in paragraph (2), as so redesignated, by striking

``health care, mental health'' and inserting ``health care

(including mental health and substance use disorder treatment)'';

(I) in paragraph (6), by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;

(J) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (7) as subparagraphs (B) through (D), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;

(K) in clause (ii) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2), as so redesignated, by striking ``child abuse is present;'' and inserting ``there is a co-occurrence of child abuse; and'';

(L) by striking paragraph (8); and

(M) in subparagraph (D) of paragraph (2), as so redesignated, by striking ``; and'' and inserting a period;

(3) by striking subsection (e);

(4) by redesignating subsections (f) through (h) as subsections (e) through (g), respectively; and

(5) in subsection (g), as so redesignated, by striking

``Indian tribes and tribal organizations'' and inserting

``Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations''.

SEC. 13. GRANTS TO TRIBAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COALITIONS.

The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10401 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 311 the following:

``SEC. 311A. GRANTS TO TRIBAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COALITIONS.

``(a) Grants Authorized.--Beginning with fiscal year 2022, out of amounts appropriated under section 303 and made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities in accordance with this section.

``(b) Eligible Entities.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an entity shall be a Tribal domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence coalition that is recognized by the Office on Violence Against Women of the Department of Justice that provides services to Indian Tribes.

``(c) Application.--Each Tribal domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence coalition desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. The application submitted by the coalition for the grant shall provide documentation of the coalition's work, demonstrating that the coalition--

``(1) meets all the applicable requirements set forth in this section; and

``(2) has the ability to conduct all activities described in this section, as indicated by--

``(A) a documented experience in administering Federal grants to conduct the activities described in subsection (d); or

``(B) a documented history of activities to further the purposes of this section set forth in subsection (d).

``(d) Use of Funds.--A Tribal domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence coalition eligible under subsection (b) that receives a grant under this section may use the grant funds for administration and operation to further the purposes of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence intervention and prevention activities, including--

``(1) working with local Tribal domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence service programs and providers of direct services to encourage appropriate and comprehensive responses to domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence against adults or youth within the Indian Tribes served, including providing training and technical assistance and conducting Tribal needs assessments;

``(2) participating in planning and monitoring the distribution of subgrants and subgrant funds within the State under section 308(a);

``(3) working in collaboration with Tribal service providers and community-based organizations to address the needs of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence, and their children and dependents;

``(4) collaborating with, and providing information to, entities in such fields as housing, health care (including mental health and substance use disorder treatment), social welfare, education, and law enforcement to support the development and implementation of effective policies;

``(5) supporting the development and implementation of effective policies, protocols, and programs that address the safety and support needs of adult and youth Tribal victims of domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence;

``(6) encouraging appropriate responses to cases of domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence against adults or youth, by working with Tribal, State, and Federal judicial agencies and law enforcement agencies;

``(7) working with Tribal, State, and Federal judicial agencies, including family law judges, criminal court judges, child protective service agencies, and children's advocates to develop appropriate responses to child custody and visitation issues--

``(A) in cases of child exposure to domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence; or

``(B) in cases in which--

``(i) domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence is present; and

``(ii) child abuse is present;

``(8) providing information to the public about prevention of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence within Indian Tribes;

``(9) assisting Indian Tribes' participation in, and attendance of, Federal and State consultations on domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence, including consultations mandated by the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (title IV of Public Law 103-322), the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (34 U.S.C. 20101 et seq.), or this title; and

``(10) providing shelter or supportive services to Tribal adult and youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence, and their children and dependents.

``(e) Reallocation.--If, at the end of the sixth month of any fiscal year for which sums are appropriated under section 303 and made available to carry out this section, a portion of the available amount has not been awarded to Tribal domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence coalitions for grants under this section because of the failure of such coalitions to meet the requirements for such grants, then the Secretary shall award such portion, in equal shares, to Tribal domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence coalitions that meet such requirements.''.

SEC. 14. SPECIALIZED SERVICES FOR CAREGIVERS AND THEIR

CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO DOMESTIC

VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, AND FAMILY VIOLENCE.

Section 312 (42 U.S.C. 10412) is amended--

(1) in the section heading, by striking ``abused parents and their children'' and inserting ``parents, caregivers and children and youth who have been exposed to domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence'';

(2) in subsection (a)--

(A) in paragraph (1)--

(i) by striking ``family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence service programs and community-based programs to prevent future domestic violence by addressing, in an appropriate manner, the needs of children'' and inserting

``domestic violence, dating violence, family violence, and culturally specific community-based programs to serve children and youth''; and

(ii) by inserting ``, and to support the caregiving capacity of adult victims or other caregivers'' before the period; and

(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``more than 2'' the first place it appears and inserting ``less than 3'';

(3) in subsection (b)--

(A) by inserting ``or State domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence services'' after ``local'';

(B) by inserting ``a culturally specific organization,'' after ``associations),'';

``Tribal organization'';

(D) by inserting ``adult and child'' after ``serving''; and

(E) by striking ``and their children''; and

(4) in subsection (c)--

(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:

``(1) a description of how the entity will prioritize the safety of, and confidentiality of information about adult and child victims of domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence;'';

(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``developmentally appropriate and age-appropriate services, and culturally and linguistically appropriate services, to the victims and children; and'' and inserting ``trauma-informed and age, gender, developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate services to children and youth, and their caregivers;'';

(C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``appropriate and relevant to the unique needs of children exposed to family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence.'' and inserting ``relevant to the unique needs of children and youth exposed to domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence, including children and youth with disabilities and children from underserved populations, and address the parent's or caregiver's ongoing caregiving capacity; and''; and

(D) by adding at the end the following:

``(4) a description of prevention activities targeting child and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence.'';

(5) in subsection (d)--

(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking

``community-based program described in subsection (a)'' and inserting ``culturally specific, community-based program'';

(B) in paragraph (1)(A)--

(i) by striking ``victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence and their children'' and inserting ``child and adult victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, including children and youth with disabilities and children and youth from underserved populations''; and

(ii) by inserting ``or the health system'' before the semicolon; and

(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``mental'' and inserting ``behavioral'';

(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``community-based organizations serving victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence or children exposed to family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence'' and inserting ``health, education, or other community-based organizations serving adult and child victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence''; and

(iii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``health,'' after

``transportation,''; and

(6) in subsection (e)--

(A) by inserting ``shall participate in an evaluation and'' after ``under this section''; and

(B) by striking ``contain an evaluation of'' and inserting

``information on''.

SEC. 15. NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE GRANT.

Section 313 (42 U.S.C. 10413) is amended--

(1) in subsection (a)--

(A) by striking ``telephone'' and inserting ``telephonic and digital services'';

(B) by striking ``a hotline that provides'' and inserting

``a hotline and digital services that provide''; and

(C) by inserting before the period at the end of the second sentence the following: ``, and who provide information about healthy relationships for adults and youth'';

(2) in subsection (d)--

(A) in paragraph (2)--

(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting

``and digital services'' after ``hotline'';

(ii) in subparagraphs (A) and (B), by striking ``hotline personnel'' each place such term appears and inserting

``advocacy personnel'';

(iii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``are able to effectively operate any technological systems used by the hotline'' and inserting ``or digital services are able to effectively operate any technological systems used by the hotline or provide any digital services, as applicable'';

(iv) in subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F), by inserting ``and digital services'' after ``hotline'' each place such term appears;

(v) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``persons with hearing impairments'' and inserting ``individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing, those with speech-related disabilities, those with sensory disabilities (including those who are blind or low vision), and individuals with other disabilities, including training for hotline personnel to support such access''; and

(vi) in subparagraph (G), by striking ``teen dating violence hotline'' and inserting ``youth dating violence hotline and other digital services and resources'';

(B) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``, digital services,'' after ``hotline'';

``(5) demonstrate the ability to--

``(A) provide information and referrals for individuals contacting the hotline via telephonic or digital services;

``(B) directly connect callers or assist digital services users in connecting to service providers; and

``(C) employ crisis interventions meeting the standards of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence providers;'';

(D) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (8) as paragraphs (7) through (9), respectively; and

(E) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:

``(6) demonstrate the ability to provide information about healthy relationships for adults and youth;'';

(3) in subsection (e)--

(A) in the heading, by inserting ``and Digital Services'' after ``Hotline'';

(B) in paragraph (1)--

(i) by striking ``telephone hotline'' and inserting

``telephonic hotline and digital services''; and

(ii) by striking ``assistance to adult'' and inserting

``for the benefit of adult''; and

(i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``and an internet service provider for the use of operating digital services'' before the semicolon;

(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``, provide counseling and referral services for callers on a 24-hour-a-day basis, and directly connect callers'' and inserting ``and digital services contracts, provide counseling, healthy relationship information, and referral services for callers and digital services users, on a 24-hour-a-day basis, and directly connect callers and digital services users'';

(iii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``or digital services users'' after ``callers'';

(iv) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ``and digital services'' after ``hotline'';

(v) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``underserved populations'' and inserting ``racial and ethnic minority groups, Tribal and underserved populations,''; and

(vi) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``teen dating violence hotline'' and inserting ``hotline or digital services''; and

(4) by adding at the end the following:

``(g) Administration, Evaluation, and Monitoring.--Of amounts made available to carry out this section, not more than 4 percent may be used by the Secretary for evaluation, monitoring, and other administrative costs under this section.''.

SEC. 16. NATIONAL INDIAN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE GRANT.

(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to increase the availability of information and assistance to Indian adult or youth victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, family and household members of such victim, and individuals affected by such victimization by supporting a national, toll-free telephonic and digital hotline to provide services that are--

(1) informed of Federal Indian law and Tribal laws impacting Indian victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence;

(2) culturally appropriate to Indian adult and youth victims; and

(3) developed in cooperation with victim services offered by Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations.

(b) Grant Program.--The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10401 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 313 the following:

``SEC. 313A. NATIONAL INDIAN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE GRANT.

``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award a grant to a Tribal organization or private, non-profit entity to maintain the ongoing operation of a 24-hour, national, toll-free telephonic and digital services hotline to provide information and assistance to Indian adult and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, family and household members of such victims, and other individuals affected by such victimization.

``(b) Term.--The Secretary shall award a grant under this section for a period of not more than 5 years.

``(c) Conditions on Payment.--The provision of payments under a grant awarded under this section shall be subject to annual approval by the Secretary and subject to the availability of appropriations for each fiscal year to make the payments.

``(d) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an entity shall be a Tribal organization or a nonprofit private organization that focuses primarily on issues of domestic violence as it relates to American Indians and Alaska Natives, and submit an application to the Secretary that shall--

``(1) contain such agreements, assurances, and information, be in such form, and be submitted in such manner, as the Secretary shall prescribe;

``(2) include a complete description of the applicant's plan for the operation of a national Indian domestic violence hotline and digital services, including descriptions of--

``(A) the training program for advocacy personnel relating to the provision of culturally appropriate and legally accurate services, information, resources and referrals for Indian victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence;

``(B) the training program for advocacy personnel, relating to technology requirements to ensure that all persons affiliated with the hotline and digital services are able to effectively operate any technological systems required to provide the necessary services used by the hotline;

``(C) the qualifications of the applicant and the hiring criteria and qualifications for advocacy personnel, to ensure that hotline advocates and other personnel have demonstrated knowledge of Indian legal, social, and cultural issues, to ensure that the unique needs of Indian callers and users of digital services are met;

``(D) the methods for the creation, maintenance, and updating of a resource database of culturally appropriate victim services and resources available from Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations;

``(E) a plan for publicizing the availability of the services from the national Indian hotline to Indian victims of domestic violence and dating violence;

``(F) a plan for providing service to limited English proficiency callers, including service through hotline and digital services personnel who have limited English proficiency;

``(G) a plan for facilitating access to the hotline and digital services by individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing, individuals with speech-related disabilities, individuals with sensory disabilities (including those who are blind or low vision), and other individuals with disabilities, including training for hotline personnel to support such access; and

``(H) a plan for providing assistance and referrals to Indian youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence, and for victims of dating violence who are minors, which may be carried out through a national Indian youth dating violence hotline, digital services, or other resources;

``(3) demonstrate recognized expertise providing services, including information on healthy relationships and referrals for Indian victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence and coordinating services with Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations;

``(4) demonstrate support from Indian victim services programs, Tribal coalitions recognized by the Office on Violence Against Women and Tribal grantees under this title;

``(5) demonstrate capacity and the expertise to maintain a domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence hotline, digital services and a comprehensive database of service providers from Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations;

``(6) demonstrate compliance with nondisclosure requirements as described in section 306(c)(5) and following comprehensive quality assurance practices; and

``(7) contain such other information as the Secretary may require.

``(e) Indian Hotline Activities.--

``(1) In general.--An entity that receives a grant under this section shall use funds made available through the grant for the purpose described in subsection (a), consistent with paragraph (2).

``(2) Activities.--In establishing and operating the hotline, the entity--

``(A) shall contract with a carrier for the use of a toll-free telephone line and an internet service provider for digital services;

``(B) shall employ, train (including providing technology training), and supervise personnel to answer incoming calls and digital services contacts, provide counseling, healthy relationship and referral services for Indian callers and digital services users, directly connect callers, and assist digital services users in connecting to service providers;

``(C) shall assemble and maintain a database of information relating to services for Indian victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence to which Indian callers or digital services users may be referred, including information on the availability of shelters and supportive services for victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence;

``(D) shall widely publicize the hotline and digital services throughout Indian Tribes and communities, including to--

``(i) national and regional member organizations of Indian Tribes;

``(ii) Tribal domestic violence services programs; and

``(iii) Tribal non-profit victim service providers;

``(E) at the discretion of the hotline operator, may provide appropriate assistance and referrals for family and household members of Indian victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and Indians affected by the victimization described in subsection (a); and

``(F) at the discretion of the hotline operator, may provide assistance, or referrals for counseling or intervention, for identified Indian perpetrators, including self-identified perpetrators, of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, but shall not be required to provide such assistance or referrals in any circumstance in which the hotline operator fears the safety of a victim may be impacted by an abuser or suspected abuser.

``(f) Reports and Evaluation.--The entity receiving a grant under this section shall submit a report to the Secretary at such time as shall be reasonably required by the Secretary. Such report shall describe the activities that have been carried out with such grant funds, contain an evaluation of the effectiveness of such activities, and provide such additional information as the Secretary may reasonably require.

SEC. 17. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION ENHANCEMENT AND

LEADERSHIP.

Section 314 (42 U.S.C. 10414) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 314. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION ENHANCEMENT AND

LEADERSHIP.

``(a) Purpose and Description of Grants.--

``(1) Purpose.--The purposes of this section are--

``(A) to continue efforts to build evidence about effective primary and secondary prevention practices, programs, and policies that reduce and end family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence;

``(B) to build capacity at the State, Tribal, territorial, and local levels to meet the objectives described in subparagraph (A); and

``(C) to advance primary and secondary prevention efforts related to domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence nationally.

``(2) Description of grants.--From the amounts appropriated under this section, the Secretary shall--

``(A) acting through the Division of Violence Prevention of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in consultation with the Director of the Division of Family Violence Prevention and Services of the Administration for Children and Families--

``(i) provide core grants under subsection (b)(1) to support primary and secondary prevention of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence; and

``(ii) enter into cooperative agreements under subsection

(b)(2) with State, territorial, and Tribal domestic violence coalitions that are in partnerships with entities carrying out local and culturally specific programs, to test, evaluate, or, as appropriate, scale up innovative domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence primary and secondary prevention models, particularly those programs serving culturally specific or traditionally underserved populations; and

``(B) acting through the Family Violence Prevention and Services Program of the Administration for Children and Families, award grants under subsection (c) to enhance the capacity of communities and systems to engage in effective primary and secondary prevention efforts.

``(3) Technical assistance, evaluation, and monitoring.--Of the amounts appropriated under this section for a fiscal year the Secretary may use--

``(A) not more than 7 percent of the amounts for each fiscal year for evaluation, monitoring, and other administrative costs under this section; and

``(B) not more than 3 percent of the amounts for each fiscal year for technical assistance under this section.

``(b) Grants to State, Territorial, and Tribal Coalitions.--

``(1) Grants to build primary and secondary prevention capacity of domestic violence coalitions.--

``(A) Purpose.--The Secretary shall provide a core grant for each eligible State, territorial, and Tribal coalition. The Secretary shall provide such a grant to build organizational capacity and leadership for primary and secondary prevention of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence, including work with other systems central to primary and secondary prevention at the local, State, territorial, and Tribal levels.

``(B) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this paragraph, a State, territorial, or Tribal coalition shall be a State domestic violence coalition, territorial domestic violence coalition, or Tribal domestic violence coalition, respectively, that has not entered into a cooperative agreement under section 314 of this title (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021) or under paragraph (2).

``(C) Application.--Each coalition seeking a grant under this paragraph shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. The application submitted by the coalition for the grant shall provide documentation of the coalition's primary prevention work, satisfactory to the Secretary, demonstrating that the coalition--

``(i) meets all of the applicable requirements of this paragraph; and

``(ii) demonstrates the ability to conduct appropriately the primary and secondary prevention activities described in this paragraph.

``(D) Allotment of funds.--Of the amounts made available to carry out this paragraph, the Secretary shall allot an equal share to each qualified entity receiving funds under section 311 or section 311A to carry out evidence-informed prevention activities.

``(E) Use of funds.--A coalition that receives a grant under this paragraph--

``(i) shall use the grant funds to--

``(I) build the coalition's organizational capacity and enhance its State or Tribal leadership to advance evidence-informed primary and secondary prevention of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence;

``(II) provide primary and secondary prevention-focused training, technical assistance, peer learning opportunities, and other support to local domestic violence programs and other community-based and culturally specific programs working to address domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence;

``(III) provide training and advocacy to other State, Tribal, and local public and private systems on how to prevent domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence, and help victims, including through health services, early childhood programs, economic support programs, schools, child welfare, workforce development, community-based programs primarily serving racial and ethnic minority groups, community-based programs serving Deaf individuals and individuals with disabilities, community-based programs primarily serving other underserved populations, faith-based programs, and youth programs; and

``(IV) support dissemination of primary and secondary prevention strategies and approaches throughout the State, territorial, or Tribal communities; and

``(ii) may use the grant funds to provide subgrants to local programs to support the dissemination of primary and secondary prevention programs or initiatives.

``(F) Reports.--Each coalition receiving a grant under this paragraph shall submit a report to the Secretary at such time as the Secretary requires. Such report shall describe the activities that have been carried out with such grant funds and the effectiveness of such activities, and provide such additional information as the Secretary may require.

``(G) Federal activities.--The Secretary may use a portion of the funds provided under this paragraph to provide primary and secondary prevention-focused training, technical assistance, and other support to coalitions described in subparagraph (B) or State or local entities that are in partnerships with such coalitions.

``(2) Cooperative agreement for implementation and evaluation of primary and secondary prevention strategies.--

``(A) Purpose.--The Secretary shall enter into cooperative agreements with qualified State, territorial, and Tribal domestic violence coalitions that are in partnerships with entities carrying out local and culturally specific programs, to test, evaluate, or, as appropriate, scale up innovative domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence primary and secondary prevention strategies and models, particularly those serving culturally specific or traditionally underserved populations.

``(B) Qualification.--To be qualified to enter into a cooperative agreement under subsection (a)(2)(A)(ii), an organization shall be a State, territorial, or Tribal domestic violence coalition and include representatives of pertinent sectors of the local community, which may include--

``(i) health care providers and Tribal, State, or local health departments;

``(ii) the education community;

``(iii) a faith-based community;

``(iv) the juvenile justice system;

``(v) domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence service program advocates;

``(vi) public human service entities;

``(vii) business and civic leaders;

``(viii) child and youth-serving organizations;

``(ix) community-based organizations whose primary purpose is to provide culturally appropriate services to underserved populations, including racial and ethnic minority communities; and

``(x) other pertinent sectors.

``(C) Term.--The Secretary shall enter into a cooperative agreement under this paragraph for a period of not more than 5 fiscal years.

``(D) Conditions on payment.--The provision of payments under a cooperative agreement under this paragraph shall be subject to--

``(i) annual approval by the Secretary; and

``(ii) the availability of appropriations for each fiscal year to make the payments.

``(E) Applications.--An organization that desires to enter into a cooperative agreement under this paragraph shall submit to the Secretary an application, in such form and in such manner as the Secretary shall require, that--

``(i) identifies models and strategies to be tested and partner organizations who will be implementing programs to prevent domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence;

``(ii) demonstrates that the applicant has developed effective and collaborative relationships with diverse communities, including with organizations primarily serving racial and ethnic minority populations or other underserved populations;

``(iii) identifies other partners and sectors who will be engaged to meet the primary and secondary prevention goals;

``(iv) includes a description of the expected outcomes from the primary and secondary prevention activities and how the strategy is expected to achieve those outcomes;

``(v) describes the method to be used for identification and selection of project staff and a project evaluator;

``(vi) describes the method to be used for identification and selection of a project council consisting of representatives of the community sectors listed in subparagraph (B);

``(vii) demonstrates that the applicant has the capacity to carry out collaborative community initiatives to prevent domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence;

``(viii) describes the applicant's plans to evaluate the models and strategies it intends to implement, including demonstrating that the methods selected are rigorous;

``(ix) describes the applicant's existing capacity to collect and analyze data to monitor performance and support evaluation and other evidence-building activities or how they will use the grant to develop such capacity; and

``(x) contains such other information, agreements, and assurances as the Secretary may require.

``(F) Geographic dispersion.--The Secretary shall enter into cooperative agreements under this paragraph with organizations in States, territories, and Tribes geographically dispersed throughout the Nation.

``(G) Use of funds.--

``(i) In general.--An organization that enters into a cooperative agreement under this paragraph shall use the funds made available through the agreement to establish, operate, and maintain implementation and evaluation of coordinated community response to reduce risk factors for domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence perpetration and enhance protective factors to promote positive development and healthy relationships and communities.

``(ii) Evaluation, monitoring, administration, and technical assistance.--The Secretary may use a portion of the funds provided under this paragraph for evaluation, monitoring, administration, and technical assistance described in subsection (a)(3) with respect to the prevention projects.

``(H) Requirements.--In establishing and operating a project under this paragraph, an organization shall--

``(i) utilize evidence-informed primary and secondary prevention project planning;

``(ii) recognize and address the needs of underserved populations, including racial and ethnic minority groups, and individuals with disabilities;

``(iii) use not less than 30 percent or more than 50 percent of awarded funds to subcontract with local domestic violence programs or other community-based programs to develop and implement such projects;

``(iv) in the case of a new grantee, use the funds for up to 1 year for planning and capacity building without subcontracting as described in clause (iii); and

``(v) use up to 8 percent of the funds awarded under this paragraph to procure technical assistance from a list of providers approved by the Secretary and peer-to-peer technical assistance from other grantees under this paragraph.

``(I) Reports.--Each organization entering into a cooperative agreement under this paragraph shall submit a report to the Secretary at such time as shall be reasonably required by the Secretary. Such report shall describe activities that have been carried out with the funds made available through the agreement and the effectiveness of such activities, and provide such additional information as the Secretary may reasonably require. The Secretary shall make the evaluations received under this subparagraph publicly available on the Department of Health and Human Services internet website, and shall submit such reports to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives.

``(c) Grants to Expand Community-based Prevention.--

``(1) Program.--The Secretary shall establish a grant program to expand the capacity of communities and systems to engage in effective primary and secondary prevention efforts.

``(2) Grants.--The Secretary may award grants to eligible entities through the program established under paragraph (1) for periods of not more than 4 years. If the Secretary determines that an entity has received such a grant and been successful in meeting the objectives of the grant application so submitted, the Secretary may renew the grant for 1 additional period of not more than 4 years.

``(3) Eligible entities.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, an entity shall--

``(A) be a private nonprofit, nongovernmental organization

(which may include faith-based and charitable organizations) or a Tribal organization that is--

``(i) a community-based organization whose primary purpose is providing culturally specific services to racial and ethnic minority groups or other underserved populations; or

``(ii) a community-based organization with a program focused on serving youth or serving children and their parents or caregivers; and

``(B) have a demonstrated record of serving victims of domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence, or demonstrate a partnership with another organization that has such a record.

``(4) Application.--An entity seeking a grant under this subsection shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require, including--

``(A) a description of how the entity will develop, expand, or replicate evidence-informed primary and secondary prevention strategies and approaches in their communities, including culturally and linguistically appropriate primary and secondary prevention programming;

``(B) documents that the entity meets all of the applicable requirements set forth in this subsection; and

``(C) demonstrates the ability to conduct appropriately the primary and secondary prevention activities described in this section.

``(5) Use of funds.--An entity that receives a grant under this subsection shall use the grant funds to--

``(A) build their organizational capacity and enhance their leadership of the organization within the community to promote community engagement in and advancement of evidence-informed primary and secondary prevention of domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence;

``(B) promote strategic primary and secondary prevention partnership development, including between any of domestic violence programs and health programs, early childhood programs, economic support programs, schools, child welfare programs, workforce development, culturally specific community-based organizations, faith-based programs, community-based organizations serving Deaf individuals and individuals with disabilities, and youth programs;

``(C) support dissemination of primary and secondary prevention strategies and approaches to States, territories, Tribal organizations, and Tribes; and

``(D) use up to 5 percent of funds awarded under this subsection to procure technical assistance from a list of providers approved by the Secretary, from peer-to-peer technical assistance from other grantees under this section, or from both.

``(6) Technical assistance, evaluation, and monitoring.--The Secretary may use a portion of the funds provided under this subsection for evaluation, monitoring, administration, and technical assistance with respect to the prevention projects.

``(7) Reports and evaluation.--Each entity receiving a grant under this subsection shall submit a report to the Secretary at such time as shall be reasonably required by the Secretary. Such report shall describe the activities that have been carried out with such grant funds, contain an evaluation of the effectiveness of such activities, and provide such additional information as the Secretary may reasonably require.''.

SEC. 18. ADDITIONAL GRANT PROGRAMS.

The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10401 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 315. GRANTS FOR UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS.

``(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to provide grants to assist communities in mobilizing and organizing resources in support of effective and sustainable programs that will prevent and address domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence experienced by underserved populations.

``(b) Authority To Award Grants.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Division of Family Violence Prevention and Services, shall award capacity building, implementation, and evaluation grants to eligible entities to assist in developing, implementing, and evaluating culturally and linguistically appropriate, community-driven strategies to prevent and address domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence in underserved populations.

``(c) Eligible Entities.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an entity shall--

``(1) with respect to the programs under subsections (d) and (e), be--

``(A) a population specific organization that has demonstrated experience and expertise in providing population specific services in the relevant underserved communities, or a population specific organization working in partnership with a victim service provider or domestic violence or sexual assault coalition; or

``(B) a victim service provider offering population-specific services for a specific underserved population; or

``(2) with respect to the program under subsection (f), be an eligible entity described in paragraph (1) that is working in collaboration with an entity specializing in evaluation with documented experience working with targeted underserved populations;

``(d) Capacity Building Grants.--

``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to support the capacity building, planning, and development of programs for underserved communities that utilize community-driven intervention and prevention strategies that address the barriers to domestic violence services, raise awareness of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence and promote community engagement in the prevention of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence in targeted underserved populations. Such grants may be used to--

``(A)(i) expand the collaboration with community partners who can provide appropriate assistance to the targeted underserved populations that are represented by the eligible entity through the identification of additional partners, particularly among targeted underserved communities; and

``(ii) establish linkages with national, State, Tribal, or local public and private partners, which may include community health workers, advocacy organizations, and policy organizations;

``(B) establish community working groups;

``(C) conduct a needs assessment of targeted underserved populations to determine the barriers to access and factors contributing to such barriers, using input from targeted underserved communities;

``(D) participate in training and technical assistance sponsored by the Family Violence Prevention and Services program for program development, implementation, evaluation, and other programmatic issues;

``(E) use up to 5 percent of funds awarded under this subsection to procure technical assistance from a list of providers approved by the Family Violence Prevention and Services program;

``(F) identify promising intervention and prevention strategies;

``(G) develop a plan with the input of targeted underserved communities that includes strategies for--

``(i) implementing intervention and prevention strategies that have the greatest potential for addressing the barriers to accessing services, raising awareness of domestic violence, and promoting community engagement in the prevention of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence within targeted underserved populations;

``(ii) identifying other sources of revenue and integrating current and proposed funding sources to ensure long-term sustainability of the program; and

``(iii) conducting performance measurement processes, including collecting data and measuring progress toward addressing domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence or raising awareness of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence in targeted underserved populations; and

``(H) conduct an evaluation of the planning and development activities.

``(2) Duration.--The period during which payments may be made under a grant under paragraph (1) shall not exceed 4 years, except where the Secretary determines that extraordinary circumstances exist.

``(e) Implementation Grants.--

``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities that have received a planning grant under subsection (d) or who already have demonstrated experience and expertise in providing population specific services in the relevant underserved communities to enable such entities to--

``(A) implement a plan including intervention services or prevention strategies to address the identified barrier or awareness issue or initiate the community engagement strategy for targeted underserved populations, in an effective and timely manner;

``(B) design and implement a plan to evaluate the program, including collecting data appropriate for monitoring performance of the program carried out under the grant;

``(C) analyze data consistent with the evaluation design, including collaborating with academic or other appropriate institutions for such analysis;

``(D) participate in training for the purpose of informing and educating other entities regarding the experiences and lessons learned from the project;

``(E) collaborate with appropriate partners to disseminate information gained from the project for the benefit of other domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence programs;

``(F) establish mechanisms with other public or private groups to maintain financial support for the program after the grant terminates;

``(G) develop policy initiatives for systems change to address the barriers or awareness issue;

``(H) develop and implement community engagement strategies;

``(I) maintain relationships with local partners and continue to develop new relationships with national and State partners; and

``(J) use up to 5 percent of funds awarded under this subsection to procure technical assistance from a list of providers approved by the Family Violence Prevention and Services program.

``(2) Duration.--The Secretary shall award grants under this subsection for 4-year periods.

``(f) Evaluation Grants.--

``(1) In general.--The Secretary may award grants to eligible entities that have received an implementation grant under subsection (e) and that require additional assistance for the purpose of executing the proposed evaluation design, including developing the design, collecting and analyzing data (including process and outcome measures), and disseminating findings.

``(2) Priority.--In awarding grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to--

``(A) entities that in previous funding cycles--

``(i) have received a grant under subsection (d); or

``(ii) established population specific organizations that have demonstrated experience and expertise in providing population-specific services in the relevant underserved communities programs; and

``(B) entities that incorporate best practices or build on successful models in their action plan, including the use of community advocates.

``(3) Duration.--The period during which payments may be made under a grant under paragraph (1) shall not exceed 4 years, except where the Secretary determines that extraordinary circumstances exist.

``(g) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Funds provided under this section shall be used to supplement and not supplant other Federal, State, and local public funds expended to provide services and activities that promote the purposes of this title.

``(h) Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Monitoring.--

``(1) In general.--Of the funds appropriated under this section for each fiscal year--

``(A) up to 5 percent may be used by the Secretary for evaluation, monitoring, and other administrative costs under this section; and

``(B) up to 3 percent may be used by the Secretary for technical assistance.

``(2) Technical assistance provided by grantees.--The Secretary shall enable grantees to share best practices, evaluation results, and reports using the internet, conferences, and other pertinent information regarding the projects funded by this section, including the outreach efforts of the Family Violence Prevention and Services program.

``(3) Reports and evaluation.--Each entity receiving funds under this section shall file a performance report at such times as requested by the Secretary describing the activities that have been carried out with such grant funds and providing such additional information as the Secretary may require.

``(i) Administrative Burdens.--The Secretary shall make every effort to minimize duplicative or unnecessary administrative burdens on the grantees.

``SEC. 316. GRANTS TO ENHANCE CULTURALLY SPECIFIC SERVICES

FOR RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITY POPULATIONS.

``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a grant program to establish or enhance culturally specific services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence from racial and ethnic minority populations.

``(b) Purposes.--

``(1) In general.--The purposes of the grant program under this section are to--

``(A) develop and support innovative culturally specific community-based programs to enhance access to shelter services or supportive services to further the purposes of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence intervention and prevention for all victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence from racial and ethnic minority populations who face obstacles to using more traditional services and resources;

``(B) strengthen the capacity and further the leadership development of individuals in racial and ethnic minority populations to address domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence in their communities; and

``(C) promote strategic partnership development and collaboration, including with health systems, early childhood programs, economic support programs, schools, child welfare, workforce development, domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence programs, other community-based programs, community-based organizations serving individuals with disabilities, faith-based programs, and youth programs, in order to further a public health approach to addressing domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence.

``(2) Use of funds.--

``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants to programs based in the targeted community to establish or enhance domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence intervention and prevention efforts that address distinctive culturally specific responses to domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence in racial and ethnic minority populations.

``(B) New programs.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary may award initial planning and capacity building grants to eligible entities that are establishing new programs in order to support the planning and development of culturally specific programs.

``(C) Competitive basis.--The Secretary shall ensure that grants are awarded, to the extent practical, only on a competitive basis, and that a grant is awarded for a proposal only if the proposal has been recommended for such an award through a process of peer review.

``(D) Technical assistance.--Up to 5 percent of funds appropriated under this section for a fiscal year shall be available for technical assistance to be used by the grantees to access training and technical assistance from organizations that have entered into a cooperative agreement with the Director to provide training and technical assistance regarding the provision of effective culturally specific, community-based services for racial and ethnic minority populations.

``(3) Technical assistance and training.--The Secretary shall enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with organizations having a demonstrated expertise in and whose primary purpose is addressing the development and provision of culturally specific, accessible, community-based services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence from the targeted populations to provide training and technical assistance for grantees.

``(c) Eligible Entities.--To be eligible for a grant under this section, an entity shall--

``(1) be a private nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that is--

``(A) a community-based organization whose primary purpose is providing culturally specific services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence from racial and ethnic minority populations; or

``(B) a community-based organization whose primary purpose is providing culturally specific services to individuals from racial and ethnic minority populations that can partner with an organization having demonstrated expertise in serving victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence; and

``(2) have a board of directors and staffing with demonstrated expertise in serving racial and ethnic minority populations.

``(d) Cultural Responsiveness of Services.--The Secretary shall ensure that information and services provided pursuant to this section are provided in the language, educational, and cultural context that is most appropriate for the individuals for whom the information and services are intended, and that information is made available in accessible formats as appropriate.

``(e) Grant Period.--The Secretary shall award grants for a 4-year period, with a possible extension of another 2 years to further implement the projects under the grant.

``(f) Nonexclusivity.--Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to exclude linguistically and culturally specific community-based entities from applying for other sources of funding available under this title.

``(g) Reports.--Each entity receiving funds under this section shall file a performance report at such times as requested by the Secretary describing the activities that have been carried out with such grant funds and providing such additional information as the Secretary may require.

``(h) Administration, Evaluation, and Monitoring.--Of amounts made available to carry out this section, not more than 4 percent may be used by the Secretary for evaluation, monitoring, and other administrative costs under this section.

``(i) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow a grantee to limit services to victims of domestic violence, dating, violence, or family violence on the basis of race or ethnicity.''.

SEC. 19. ANALYSIS OF FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR FINANCIAL STABILITY

AMONG SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING

VIOLENCE, AND FAMILY VIOLENCE.

Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study and issue a report that includes--

(1) a review of what is known about the number of survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence in the United States;

(2) statistical data, where available, for recent fiscal years, on the number of survivors described in paragraph (1);

(3) a description of the key Federal programs providing survivors described in paragraph (1) with financial and non-financial support;

(4) an analysis of the gaps in current Federal programs, in terms of benefit adequacy and benefit coverage for the population of survivors described in paragraph (1);

(5) a demographic analysis of the distribution of the gaps described in paragraph (4), for groups including racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, tribal populations, and individuals who are geographically isolated;

(6) a review of challenges that could affect program utilization by the population of survivors described in paragraph (1); and

(7) an indication of the extent to which Federal agencies or departments currently administering programs described in paragraph (3) have taken steps to ensure that survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence have access to programs that will support their financial stability.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bill, as amended, is debatable for 1 hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Education and Labor or their respective designees.

The gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) each will control 30 minutes.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.

General Leave

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials on H.R. 2119.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Virginia?

There was no objection.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge support for the bipartisan Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021 introduced by the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. McBath), the gentleman from Alaska

(Mr. Young), the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Moore), and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Katko).

Before I continue, I want to encourage anyone struggling with intimate partner violence to reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or the StrongHearts Native Helpline at 1-844-7NATIVE.

Madam Speaker, it is difficult to overstate the need to address intimate partner violence in this country. Roughly 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 10 men reported experiencing some sort of intimate partner violence.

These incidents often cause severe physical injuries that portend even graver consequences, including the tragic loss of life.

For survivors of violence, emotional trauma and intimate partner violence often last long after the physical injuries have healed, triggering lifelong struggles with disease and mental health challenges.

For decades, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act has been a central pillar in our response to domestic violence, authorizing services like shelters and 24-hour domestic violence hotlines.

Regrettably, these programs have been technically expired since the end of 2015. Although funding has continued, updates to the law have been long overdue. For example, we know that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the risk of intimate partner violence and restricted access to critical services for survivors.

H.R. 2119 strengthens our fight in this public health crisis by updating the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act in two important ways.

First, it prioritizes equity by expanding funding to reach communities that have disproportionately high rates of intimate partner violence but limited access to services.

Second, it invests more in prevention so we can avert the physical danger and emotional trauma that survivors experience before it occurs.

These updates represent the next steps we must take not only to support the survivors who need it most, but also to prevent intimate partner violence from harming our communities.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2119, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act.

A survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, estimated that one-third of all men and women are victims of domestic violence at some point in their life. In 2018, approximately 40 percent of female homicides in North Carolina were related to intimate partner violence. The 2020 statistics aren't any better.

{time} 1230

COVID-19 and President Biden's failed economic policies have dealt our Nation government-mandated restrictions and economic challenges. It appears those negative outcomes have snowballed to exacerbate an even worse fallout.

Evidence suggests that in this pandemic environment, stress due to work, school, substance abuse, and financial struggles have added to more violence in the home. Especially hard-hit appear to be rural areas where job opportunities can be hard to find. Recent statistics show that domestic violence-related homicides have increased in my home State of North Carolina.

Domestic violence in any form is an evil that demands a strong response. That is why, in 1984, Congress enacted the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, FVPSA, which authorizes programs to support victims of domestic violence and their dependents. These programs include grants to support domestic violence shelters and services and a national domestic violence hotline.

Additionally, FVPSA funds the CDC's DELTA program, which provides funding to State domestic violence coalitions to develop, test, and coordinate local prevention and education programs. Since FVPSA's enactment, Congress has worked in a bipartisan manner to reauthorize the bill. Sadly, Democrats are now using it as a vehicle to push left-

wing priorities. This is disappointing.

Committee Republicans wanted to support a bipartisan bill. I strongly believe that FVPSA's history of bipartisanship must be continued. However, the Democrat bill before us puts special interest groups ahead of victims of domestic violence.

H.R. 2119 paves the way for taxpayer-supported abortions. Forcing the public to pay for abortions is morally repugnant and should not be allowed to stand in this bill or any bill. Previous reauthorizations of the law included a prohibition preventing reimbursement for healthcare services, but this bill drops that prohibition.

The bill also tramples the rights of faith-based providers by forcing organizations to abandon their sincerely held religious beliefs or give up helping victims through these programs, meaning that fewer victims will be able to access vital services and care. Faith-based providers who offer critical care to survivors of domestic violence should not be obstructed from operating.

Additionally, this bill lacks commonsense accountability that is needed after years of Congress ignoring this program. We need to know what is going on with the program and the Republican substitute would ensure we have that information.

FVPSA is not an instrument for partisan policies, or it should not be, especially those that threaten religious liberties. That is why Republicans offered an amendment that includes a carefully focused set of reforms that act in the best interest of victims of family violence and the people who serve them. Specifically, it improves current law, ensuring that funds are focused on life-saving supportive services. Democrats opposed it in committee, and I am guessing they will oppose it on the floor.

Republicans recognize the importance of supporting survivors of domestic violence. We must understand that dealing with this issue is best done at the local level and government cannot always provide the answers. Local civic groups and faith-based providers are best positioned to provide aid and deliver it effectively.

Congress should support best practices and protect the providers closest to the victims seeking help. Pushing faith-based providers out of this important work--as the Democrat-led bill could do--does nothing to help continue the delivery of locally-driven support services for victims of domestic violence.

Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.R. 2119, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. McBath), the lead sponsor of the legislation.

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Bobby Scott of the Education and Labor Committee and staff, and my colleagues that have joined me on this policy and lifesaving legislation for the diligence and the commitment towards keeping Americans safe and saving lives.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act, a long overdue reauthorization of the Nation's oldest law providing Federal support to survivors of intimate partner violence. Known as FVPSA, this law is the primary source of Federal funding for intimate partner violence prevention and services and provides vital services for victims all over the United States.

This bill funds shelters, State domestic violence coalitions, a national domestic violence hotline, and national resource centers that offer technical assistance to service providers. Despite its pivotal role in combatting domestic violence, FVPSA has not been reauthorized since 2015. It is far past time that Congress acts to pass a comprehensive reauthorization of this vital law.

During this pandemic, we have seen a dramatic rise in the number of cases of family and domestic violence. While attempting to stay safe from the COVID-19 virus that has swept this country, many children and families were forced to face the violence that awaited them inside their own homes and further isolated them from their support systems.

Violence in the home can have a tragic and drastic effect on children, stunting their emotional and cognitive growth and affecting their performance in school and their social development. This early trauma can cause long-lasting effects in a person's life and impact their success as adults. We must make sure that our children and their families have the resources they need to prevent domestic violence and abuse.

I have seen too many families in my home State of Georgia suffer at the hands of domestic and family violence. We must protect these families and families all across the Nation.

This legislation has broad bipartisan support within both Chambers of Congress and from stakeholders on the front lines of combatting domestic violence in America. Our community partners recognize that this legislation is critical to protecting and supporting our families and our children.

The reauthorization makes key changes to current law, most importantly, by ensuring equitable access to resources for Native Tribes and Tribal coalitions, authorizing a Tribal domestic violence hotline, authorizing resource centers for Alaska Native and LGBTQ populations, expanding funding for prevention so that every State and coalition receives prevention resources, and authorizing grants for underserved populations and culturally specific services for racial and ethnic minority groups. It helps provide survivors a way up, a way out, and a way forward.

Some of my colleagues have argued that the LGBTQ anti-discrimination clause in this legislation will result in discrimination against religious organizations who provide services to victims of domestic violence. This could not be further from the truth.

Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a letter in support of this legislation from the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

The Catholic Charities,

Archdiocese of Chicago,

Chicago, IL, October 15, 2021.Rep. Nancy Pelosi,Speaker of the House, House of Representatives Washington,

DC.Rep. Bobby Scott,Chairman, House Committee on Education & Labor, House of

Representatives, Washington, DC.Rep. Steny Hoyer,Majority Leader, House of Representatives Washington, DC.Rep. Kevin McCarthy,Republican Leader, House of Representatives Washington, DC.

Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Chairman Scott, and Republican Leader McCarthy: Catholic Charities is one of the largest social services providers in the Midwest, and I am honored to serve as its Chief Program Officer.

For 104 years, Catholic Charities has served and accompanied anyone in need in Greater Chicago. Every year, Charities' helps nearly 200 survivors of domestic violence and those at high risk through emergency shelter, safety planning, counseling, legal services, and transitional housing. Our wrap-around services and partnerships help survivors and in many cases their children improve stability and restore security.

Pre-pandemic, we knew that people experiencing domestic violence in Illinois were 95% women, 55% Black, and 13% Latinx. Forty-three percent resided in Chicago and 40% were low-income.

The survivors we serve at Catholic Charities Chicago face staggering challenges. One hundred percent live below the federal poverty line. They come to us as survivors of intergenerational trauma. They fear losing their children. They often have prolonged exposure to substance use and are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Almost universally, they are in poor physical and emotional health.

Survivors are often isolated due to cultural factors, language barriers, lack of familial support, and lack of awareness of their lawful protections. Moreover, they have inadequate support once they leave the abusive situation.

It is often the church, and Catholic Charities, to which survivors turn. The role of trusted, faith-based providers in this service arena is profound.

COVID-19 has only compounded the struggles faced by survivors. Since the pandemic began, the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline reports a 15% increase in calls and a 2,000% increase in text messages requesting help. Additional burdens include financial stress, unemployment, isolation, increased family conflict, and deepening mental health issues. For persons experiencing domestic abuse, lockdowns and other COVID restrictions have forced them to spend more time with their abuser and less time with their support networks, increasing survivors' difficulty trying to flee.

A grim reality is that flight from an abusive situation often leaves survivors without a place to call home. In response, Catholic Charities operates two transitional housing programs for domestic violence survivors. While families are in a safe environment, Charities supports them on their journey toward healing and recovery with a long-term goal of securing permanent housing and stable employment. We offer free legal services including facilitating orders of protection and court representation in matters of child support and custody.

Although survivors may reside with us for up to two years, families typically transition after 12 to 14 months. Once a one-year housing agreement is secured, Charities arranges for the family to move into its new home. With Charities support, survivors arrive with a truckload of furniture, household supplies and clothing, and often with savings between $2,000 and $3,000.

Most important is their increased self-sufficiency and their deep connection to a supportive, faith-based community. Our presence continues in many survivors' lives through after care programming. For instance, past residents attend support groups, in English and Spanish. Survivors continue coming to us for food, clothing, school supplies, and other necessities.

Even through COVID, 100% of the survivors we have served remained in stable permanent housing. Prior to COVID, 68% sustained full-time employment; today employment is an ongoing struggle. Moreover, since the pandemic, Charities has seen a 25% increase in survivors coming back to us for basic necessities. Some may not have worked with our team in years--but our doors remain open.

This past winter, we began offering new services for survivors of domestic violence on the Westside of Chicago, where African American and Latinx communities have been hardest hit by COVID. Our staff offer trauma-informed counseling and intensive case management. We are collaborating with churches, hospitals, and others to expand access to free, confidential services for survivors. Together we are helping people regain control of their lives and begin their healing process.

Catholic Charities fulfills the Church's role in the mission of charity to anyone in need by providing compassionate, competent and professional services that strengthen and support individuals, families and communities based on the value and dignity of human life.

That's why the FVPSA Re-Authorization Act of 2021 (H.R. 2119) is so important to Catholic Charities and to survivors in faith communities all across the country. Our shelters and healing recovery programs help survivors rebuild their lives with hope and dignity.

Thank you for your leadership and the Committee's work to eradicate gender-based violence through the bipartisan Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), H.R. 2119. Catholic Charities endorses H.R. 2119 which will provide core supports and enhance comprehensive responses to domestic violence and urges Members to vote YES on final passage. FVPSA provides critical support for shelters, coalitions, training and technical assistance centers, children's services, emergency response hotlines, supportive services, and prevention initiatives.

We must continue to consider the ripple effect violence imposes on the health and well-being of IPV survivors. Access to resources and continuous supports can be a turning point in a survivor's journey towards healing and living free from violence. Your continued leadership in the passage of this bill is an action of service that responds to those needs in trauma informed and culturally responsive ways.

Thank you again for your leadership on behalf of survivors, their families, and their communities around the country.

Sincerely,Ami Novoryta,

Chief Program Officer, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Mrs. McBATH. Since coming to Congress, I have focused on protecting the children and families of Georgia and everyone all across this Nation, along with children and families throughout this great Nation that we all serve here today.

Working in close partnership with local, State, and Tribal leadership, this bipartisan legislation would reauthorize and expand funding for programs focused on preventing family and domestic violence, while also protecting its survivors.

I am so proud of this legislation and I am hopeful that it is one that we can all support. We must come together to support this law, recognizing that family and domestic violence can affect all Americans, no matter where they come from. Domestic violence and family violence is not a partisan issue.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Georgia.

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, domestic violence is not a partisan issue. Family violence is not a partisan issue; it is a public health crisis.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues everywhere, Republicans and Democrats, to support the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act by voting ``yes'' on H.R. 2119.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Good).

Mr. GOOD of Virginia. Person Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 2119.

The other side of the aisle claims that this would help families, but instead, it would devastate them. The bill would coerce faith-based providers, as the gentlewoman from North Carolina has already said, to violate their deeply held beliefs or stop their work altogether.

This bill would redefine the definition of sex, and it inserts gender identity language into U.S. Code. Isn't that the objective of this administration, this majority, to force our faith-based providers out of business and to redefine sex and to change the identification of gender?

My colleagues on the other side claim they want to protect the family, but instead, they have chosen to attack the very bedrock of our country--the moral principles and the traditional family that hold our families and communities together.

In fact, nearly everything that plagues our society can be attributed to a failure to follow God's laws for morality and His rules for and definition of marriage and family.

The very name of this bill is steeped in irony--the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act--as it would truly inflict more violence on unborn babies' lives and force taxpayers to fund the murder of unborn life; again, consistent with the goals and objectives of this administration and this Democrat majority.

This would be a bad bill without its attack on the unborn. This would be a bad bill without its dangerous sexual orientation and gender identity provisions, or SOGI. This is a bad bill because it spends over a billion dollars more in expansive and intrusive government. Violence is already illegal. We Republicans are against it in all forms. This is a matter for local and State law enforcement.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill, and I will be doing so.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici), the chair of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services.

Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2119, the bipartisan Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act. As policymakers, we have an obligation to do all we can to address the domestic violence epidemic and to support survivors.

In 2021, the annual Domestic Violence Counts Report from the National Network to End Domestic Violence, found that more than 76,000 adults and children nationwide received potentially lifesaving services from emergency shelters and hotlines in one 24-hour period. Tragically, during that same day, more than 11,000 survivors' requests could not be fulfilled because of a lack of resources. That is unacceptable.

We must better fulfill our responsibility to the millions of survivors who carry the trauma of experiencing domestic violence, and whose safety and well-being depends on access to these services.

There is a clear need to update and strengthen our Federal programs to prevent intimate partner violence and better serve survivors. This critical reauthorization includes a much-needed investment to increase funding for the Family Violence and Prevention Services Act, which will help close national resource gaps.

Additionally, communities of color, LGBTQ individuals, and people with disabilities face disproportionate rates of intimate partner violence while too often having limited access to services.

Importantly, this bill will make sure that resources do reach culturally-specific programs and community-based organizations that are better equipped to serve the needs of survivors who face historic violence and systemic inequities.

As chair of the Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee, I was honored to hold a hearing that examined evidence-based solutions to prevent and end domestic violence. Passing this legislation takes a critical step in fulfilling our obligation to eradicate intimate partner violence wherever and whenever it occurs.

Madam Speaker, I thank Congresswoman McBath and Chairman Scott for their leadership in working to update this important legislation to keep individuals and families safe, and I urge all of my colleagues to support the bill.

Madam Speaker, I include in the Record letters in support of the bill from the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and the National Network to End Domestic Violence.

National Resource

Center on Domestic Violence,

Harrisburg, PA, September 20, 2021.Rep. Nancy Pelosi,Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, Washington,

DC.Rep. Bobby Scott,Chairman, House Committee on Education & Labor, House of

Representatives, Washington, DC.Rep. Steny Hoyer,Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.Rep. Kevin McCarthy,Republican Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Chairman Scott, and Republican Leader McCarthy: Thank you for your leadership and the Committee's work to eradicate gender-based violence through the bipartisan Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), H.R. 2119. The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) endorses H.R. 2119 which will provide core supports and enhance comprehensive responses to domestic violence and urges Members to vote YES on final passage. FVPSA provides critical support for shelters, coalitions, training and technical assistance centers, children's services, emergency response hotlines, and prevention initiatives.

In addition to its broader systems impact, for over 25 years FVPSA has been a critical resource to NRCDV's efforts to provide training, technical assistance, and resource development. Through programming such as the National Capacity Building Center on Safe and Supportive Housing for Domestic Violence Survivors and web resource repositories such as VAWAnet, which receives 300,000 site visits per day--an average of 800 visits per day from 210 countries and territories around the world, NRCDV can lead innovative and equitable solutions that address the housing needs of survivors and resource needs of organizations serving them.

FVPSA also supports NRCDV's work to prevent domestic violence through the PreventlPV Project. This project enhances the capacity of state/territory domestic violence coalitions and community-based domestic violence programs to advance a comprehensive national prevention agenda and broaden support for the full implementation of the agenda at the national, state, territory, and local levels. Additionally, the platform provides communities with access to an inventory of searchable tools and materials utilized and developed by prevention experts from across the country.

Finally, FVPSA supports NRCDV's work to support the facilitation, coordination, and strategic collaboration amongst the Domestic Violence Resource Network (DVRN). The DVRN informs and strengthens domestic violence intervention and prevention efforts at the individual, community, and society levels through a network of two national resource centers, four special issue resource centers, three culturally specific resource centers, five emerging issue resource centers, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline. These examples are only a minor representation of the ways FVPSA supports the work of NRCDV and enhances the impact of on the ground advocacy efforts.

As you lead the efforts to pass H.R. 2119, Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvements Act, we thank you again for your leadership on behalf of survivors, their families, and their communities around the country.

Sincerely,Shenna Morris, M.A.,

Director of Policy, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence.

____

National Network to End

Domestic Violence,

Washington, DC, September 27, 2021.Rep. Nancy Pelosi,Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, Washington,

DC.Rep. Bobby Scott,Chairman, House Committee on Education & Labor, House of

Representatives, Washington, DC.Rep. Steny Hoyer,Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.Rep. Kevin McCarthy,Republican Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Chairman Scott, and Republican Leader McCarthy: On behalf of our 56 member state and territorial domestic violence coalitions, their more than 2,000 local programs, and the millions of victims they serve, the National Network to End Domestic Violence

(NNEDV) commends the Education and Labor Committee for passage of the bipartisan Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act (FVPSA), H.R. 2119. H.R. 2119 would bolster existing FVPSA programs and increase authorized funding, while expanding access to tribes, tribal coalitions working to end domestic violence, culturally specific programs, and other underserved communities. We write today to express NNEDV's strong support for the bill as reported out of Committee and to urge all Members to vote yes on final passage.

FVPSA is at the heart of our nation's response to domestic violence services and supports lifesaving services including emergency shelters, crisis hotlines, counseling, legal assistance, and prevention education for communities throughout the United States, American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and U.S. territories. First authorized in 1984 and administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, FVPSA is the only federal funding source dedicated to domestic violence shelters and programs. FVPSA expired in 2015 and must be reauthorized with key enhancements in order to meet the growing needs of survivors.

Over 1,500 local, public, private, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations domestic violence programs rely on FVPSA-funding to keep their doors open to more than 1.3 million victims seeking safety each year. NNEDV's 15th Annual Domestic Violence Counts reports that on just one day in 2020, 76,525 domestic violence victims and their children received essential services ranging from shelter to counseling to legal advocacy. However, on that same day, 11,047 requests for services went unmet due to lack of resources. Many communities and tribes currently have very limited access to FVPSA funds. H.R. 2119 would bolster existing FVPSA programs and increase authorized funding, while expanding access to tribes, tribal coalitions working to end domestic violence, culturally specific programs, and other underserved communities. It is vital that access to FVPSA funds be expanded through the passage of this bill.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence. Survivors are at risk in a time of heightened economic, health, familial, and emotional trauma. Direct service providers are also grappling with the unprecedented challenge of housing survivors and providing life-saving services while following distance and separation protocols. The improvements made in this bill will greatly help meet the needs of survivors in the current crisis and beyond.

The important improvements in H.R. 2119 reflect the priorities of the domestic violence field and the diverse needs of survivors. These improvements include:

Bolstering and investing in lifesaving core victim services and shelters;

Expanding support for and access to culturally specific programs by authorizing a new grant program to provide enhanced access to services for racial and ethnic minority populations;

Strengthening the capacity of Indian tribes to exercise their sovereign authority to more fully respond to domestic violence in their communities by increasing resources for tribes, authorizing funding for tribal coalitions, and authorizing the currently funded Alaska Native Women's Resource Center;

Meaningfully investing in domestic violence prevention by increasing support for evidenceinformed prevention projects and funding new initiatives that bring these approaches to more communities across the country;

Creating a new underserved populations grant program; and

Increasing the funding authorization level to respond to very low per-program funding levels and adjusting the current formula to increase access to FVPSA funds for programs not currently funded.

The bipartisan Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act (H.R. 2119) provides meaningful investments in and expanded support for lifesaving domestic violence shelters and services, including prevention, throughout the country. NNEDV strongly endorses H.R. 2119 as reported out of Committee and urges all Members to vote yes on final passage.

Sincerely,

Deborah J. Vagins,

NNEDV President and CEO.

{time} 1245

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Miller).

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I cannot in good conscience support legislation that opens the door to Federal dollars being used to harm our most vulnerable--the unborn.

Current law prohibits Federal funding from being used to pay for reimbursements for medical services while still allowing domestic violence victims to obtain referrals to have their healthcare needs met. This prohibition, coupled with the longstanding Hyde amendment included in annual appropriations, has long been supported by Democrats, including President Biden.

This precedent ensures that tax dollars under this law do not pay for abortion services either directly or indirectly.

Sadly, committee Democrats are proposing to strike this prohibition from the law. Along with their public intentions to strike the Hyde amendment, I am concerned that this bill could lead to taxpayer dollars being used to fund abortions instead.

My amendment would have maintained current law and made clear that FVPSA funds cannot be used for abortion services or abortion referrals. This will ensure that even as Democrats make an extreme push to repeal Hyde, these funds will not be used for such services.

A Marist Poll from earlier this year indicated that 58 percent of Americans opposed taxpayer funding of abortion--or we could say inducement for women to have abortions. We should not force taxpayers to fund services that violate their strongly held beliefs. This amendment ensures that this does not occur.

Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Manning), who is a distinguished member of the Committee on Education and Labor.

Ms. MANNING. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a letter of support from Jewish Women International.

Jewish Women International,

Washington, DC, October 8th, 2021.Rep. Nancy Pelosi,Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, Washington,

DC.Rep. Bobby Scott,Chairman, House Committee on Education & Labor, House of

Representatives, Washington, DC.Rep. Steny Hoyer,Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.Rep. Kevin McCarthy,Republican Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Chairman Scott, and Republican Leader McCarthy: Jewish Women International JWI) writes to urge the House to vote yes on the final passage of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvements Act (FVPSA), H.R. 2119 which provides essential support for domestic violence shelters and programs.

The core funding provided by FVPSA supports more than 1,500 local public, private, nonprofit, and faithbased organizations and programs and over 240 Tribes and Tribal organizations in their response to the urgent needs of over 1.3 million domestic violence victims and their children. This act also creates a new underserved populations grant program which will enable these groups to receive services from culturally specific programs that they are more likely to seek assistance from and that can better meet their needs.

JWl's work focuses on the nexus of faith and domestic violence. As the convener of the National Collaborative of Jewish Domestic Violence Programs, the Clergy Taskforce on Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community, and the Interfaith Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, JWI is well aware of the critical supports provided by faith communities to survivors and their children. Our 2021 National Needs Assessment on Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community confirms that survivors seek domestic violence services that are inclusive of their religious traditions and that maintain their connection to their existing religious community.

JWI understands that FVSPA (H.R. 2119) clarifies that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is prohibited under the law. This is in line with existing law. JWI strongly and urgently is in support of the non-discrimination clarification included in H.R. 2119. Our deeply held religious values mandate treating all people with dignity and respect and providing all survivors with the services they require.

We urge the House to pass the full FVPSA to avoid failing the more than a million survivors and children who rely on these programs and ensure their needs are met.

Sincerely,

Meredith Jacobs, CEO,

Jewish Women International.

Ms. MANNING. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for the reauthorization of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act. This act was the first Federal law to provide resources for survivors of domestic violence and remains the primary source of funding for shelters.

This critical legislation hasn't been reauthorized since 2010, leaving vital programs like crisis counseling and safety planning underfunded and outdated. In North Carolina, a staggering 35 percent of women and 30 percent of men experience intimate partner violence or stalking. COVID-19 has only further increased intimate partner violence rates and has put a strain on services survivors urgently need.

No individual should have to endure the trauma of domestic violence. We must ensure victims have access to the support and resources necessary for their safety and well-being. We cannot turn our backs on our neighbors in need. During this Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I urge my colleagues to join me in reauthorizing this important act.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost), who is the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee.

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, preventing domestic violence and supporting survivors should never be a partisan issue. Unfortunately, this bill makes it one.

First, by removing the prohibition on reimbursements for healthcare services, my colleagues across the aisle would allow for Federal funding from this bill to be used to pay for abortion services.

Secondly, it includes provisions that will effectively bar faith-

based organizations from participating in these domestic violence prevention and survivor support programs. These organizations play a vitally important role in providing support to women, children, and families who are in need.

We should be providing survivors with as many lifelines as we can, not alienating care providers based on their religious beliefs.

Madam Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on this bill to protect the lives of the unborn and request we revisit a clean reauthorization of this legislation.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Mrvan) who is a distinguished member of the Committee on Education and Labor.

Mr. MRVAN. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Scott for this time.

Madam Speaker, throughout my career, I have witnessed the direct, positive impact of programs and shelters such as the St. Jude House in Crown Point, Indiana, and the Haven House in Hammond, Indiana, which provide hope and resources for survivors and help prevent and protect against domestic violence. That is why I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2119, the Family Violence Prevention Act and Services Improvement Act.

The increase in domestic partner violence is alarming, particularly as many individuals have lost valuable resources to aid them due to the pandemic and are forced to remain in close quarters with their abusers. As an administrator of emergency assistance for 15 years, I remain deeply concerned about the mental, physical, and emotional trauma survivors and their children endure.

As one of the most effective Federal investments in preventing domestic violence, Congress must pass this measure to reauthorize and improve family violence and prevention service programs.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the leadership of Chairman Scott, Representative McBath, and the Education and Labor Committee, and I encourage my colleagues to support this measure.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, currently the Secretary of HHS has unimpeded authority to create resource centers under FVPSA that are meant to provide victims of domestic violence with help. Unfortunately, the number of resource centers has grown in recent years without the public's knowledge. A brief look at the websites of these organizations reveals that a number of these centers are using taxpayer money to promote a progressive ideology on gender and sexuality instead of simply supporting victims of domestic violence. Taxpayers deserve to know the mission and purpose of these resource centers and whether they are effective.

The Republican substitute requires the Secretary to provide notice to Congress before creating additional resource centers. Additionally, it requires the Government Accountability Office to issue a report on the effectiveness of these resource centers and provide recommendations for improvements on how they can do a better job delivering services to victims.

Madam Speaker, money is scarce and getting scarcer, and we need to know that taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Wild), who is a distinguished member of the Committee on Education and Labor.

Ms. WILD. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the bipartisan Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021, and, quite honestly, it is just mind-boggling to me that anybody could find anything to criticize about this bill.

Since it was signed into law four decades ago, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act has remained the main source of Federal funding for the domestic violence shelters in which so many of the most vulnerable people in our society find safety.

Despite the progress that we have made in this country in acknowledging the scourge of domestic violence, Congress has not provided the necessary resources to keep pace with this crisis. This bill would reauthorize programs that have not been fully funded in more than a decade, since 2010--programs that are a literal lifeline for all those who are facing domestic violence across the country.

Domestic violence affects millions of Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control, around one in five homicide victims across our Nation are killed by an intimate partner, and approximately one in every five women and one in every seven men in the United States will experience major physical violence from an intimate partner at some point in their lives.

Madam Speaker, we must pass this critical legislation.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, victims of domestic violence should not lose important faith-based assistance simply because bureaucrats in Washington don't share the same beliefs. Our freedom of religion is the number one freedom outlined in the Bill of Rights, and yet our friends often on the other side of the aisle seem to forget that and want to trample on that right. Faith-based providers have helped victims of domestic violence for years, and they should not be forced to abandon their mission because progressives want to use taxpayer resources to promote a progressive ideology on gender and sexuality.

As we learned from our witness at a hearing on this program, sometimes victims need to hear from faith leaders to feel really safe and able to get help. We should not jeopardize that lifeline.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Adams), who is the chair of the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Ms. ADAMS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in strong support of reauthorizing the Family Violence Protection and Services Improvement Act. As a survivor of intimate partner violence, I can tell you that this piece of legislation is so very important.

For 37 years the bipartisan Family Violence Prevention and Services Act has supported survivors of domestic violence and their children. FVPSA helps local governments and service providers prevent violence. It protects families and victims in their most vulnerable moments. This time around, FVPSA has strong components of culturally specific programs, underscoring the sad truth: that victims from all communities need support.

This reauthorization comes at a critical time for State and local organizations in this space. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only led to an increase in domestic violence, it has also led to budget cuts for many organizations which work to combat violence.

Whether it is in the House of Representatives or the house next door or my house, we must always speak out against the harmful effects of violence, especially against women.

Madam Speaker, let's pass this bill. We will keep working for a future free from domestic violence and intimate partner violence.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Newman).

Ms. NEWMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of America's survivors of domestic violence, millions of whom live in every corner of this country and every single congressional district represented here today.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to vote to pass the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act so that we can expand support, protection, and prevention for these survivors.

But we must do more. In a recent survey of domestic violence service providers, 90 percent reported increased demand for mental health services; however, only 12 percent of respondents said that their program is very prepared to meet the needs of adult survivors with more severe or disabling mental health challenges.

We need help with mental healthcare in this country. I don't think that is a secret to anybody. That is why my amendment would ensure domestic violence coalitions can partner with mental health and substance abuse providers for domestic violence programs.

By passing this amendment, we can provide survivors with the mental health support they need and deserve, especially those from underserved communities, including: racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, seniors, and youth.

{time} 1300

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, the Democrats' bill strikes a current law provision that requires certain grant recipients to provide a non-Federal match for the taxpayer dollars they receive under FVPSA.

Madam Speaker, I agree with my colleagues who have indicated that funding for domestic violence is not a Federal responsibility. It is a State and local responsibility. The 10th Amendment of the Constitution said if their responsibilities were not outlined in the Constitution for the Federal Government to do, then those responsibilities were left to the States and to the people themselves.

However, I am a realist. The Federal Government stepped into this space, in a bipartisan manner, many, many years ago. So, taxpayers paying taxes at the Federal level have been supporting these programs for a long time. However, it is appropriate that there be a local match for this to show that local people have an interest in these programs and believe they should be supported.

Furthermore, Democrats are refusing to acknowledge that we are nearly

$30 trillion in debt and going up in debt quickly, going down the tubes quickly. Their radical taxing and spending spree is intended to create the largest Federal Government expansion since the New Deal. Frankly, many of them brag about this, which is unbelievable to me.

But Republicans are committed to ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and effectively. That is why the Republican substitute amendment and my amendment ensure the important non-Federal match provision under FVPSA remains in place. We need some local skin in the game.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Dean).

Ms. DEAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.

Domestic violence diminishes us all, and we all have a role to play to prevent abuse, save lives, and protect victims, which is why I stand in strong support of my colleague and friend Congresswoman McBath's Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act.

This thoughtful legislation will expand funding for lifesaving services, such as emergency shelter, a crisis hotline, counseling, and legal assistance. It is focused on protecting survivors and preventing domestic violence.

The need for safe spaces is in desperate demand. This need has only increased with the pandemic. Abusers are now leveraging circumstances to exert new power and control tactics, like withholding information about COVID-19 and preventing access to medical care.

Our work must match this uniquely challenging time, and I believe this legislation does just that.

Recently, I visited Laurel House, a domestic violence nonprofit organization in my district, and I think of how this bill would support their mission.

Madam Speaker, I thank Representative McBath. This legislation will save lives.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green).

Mr. GREEN of Texas. And still I rise, Madam Speaker. And I thank the chairman, Chairman Scott, for the opportunity to be heard.

Madam Speaker, I support this legislation because, on any given night or day, in 2020, around 11,000 requests for domestic violence services went unmet, and this was due to a lack of resources. We have the resources; they are just not getting to the people.

This is what we can do to make a difference in the lives of 11,000 people. I will do what I can. I support the legislation.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a Statement of Administration Policy in support of the legislation.

Statement of Administration Policy

H.R. 2119--Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of

2021--Rep. McBath, D-GA, and 83 cosponsors

The Administration strongly supports House passage of H.R. 2119, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021. Congress first enacted the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) in 1984 to provide resources to address domestic violence as a public health issue and to support life-saving services and prevention programs throughout the nation. FVPSA, last reauthorized in 2010, allocates funding to states and territories that reaches over 1,500 domestic violence shelters and services programs, as well as funding for over 240 tribes and tribal organizations, to address and prevent domestic violence and dating violence. FVPSA also provides funding for a network of state and territorial domestic violence coalitions, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and national technical assistance providers that provide training and capacity building to ensure that vital services and support are available to individuals experiencing domestic violence and their children. Additionally, FVPSA funds the DELTA program, which provides funds to design, implement, and evaluate innovative domestic violence and dating violence prevention models.

As a result of FVPSA funding, each year approximately 1.3 million survivors receive critical services such as emergency shelter, crisis counseling, safety planning, assistance in seeking an order of protection, and assistance recovering from financial abuse and addressing housing insecurity. Nonetheless, research demonstrates that the need for services continues to outpace availability and many survivors are unable to access critical services and support. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated economic insecurity, increased isolation, and compounded barriers faced by victims and survivors in seeking safety and stability, particularly for those from historically marginalized communities.

H.R. 2119 is a bipartisan bill that will authorize increased funding to strengthen existing services while expanding access to tribes and tribal coalitions, culturally-specific programs, and other underserved communities. It will also expand investments in domestic violence prevention by increasing support for existing evidence-based, community projects and by funding new initiatives to reach more communities nationwide. The Administration urges swift passage of this legislation.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from the family violence prevention working group, a coalition of national organizations working on domestic violence issues.

September 20, 2021.Rep. Nancy Pelosi,Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, Washington,

DC.Rep. Steny Hoyer,Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.Rep. Bobby Scott,Chairman, House Committee on Education & Labor, House of

Representatives, Washington, DC.Rep. Kevin McCarthy,Republican Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Chairman Scott, and Republican Leader McCarthy: The undersigned organizations thank the Committee for passage of the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (ANS) to the bipartisan Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvements Act (FVPSA), H.R. 2119, to re-authorize core support and enhance comprehensive responses to domestic violence, family violence, and dating violence. We write today to express our profound support for the bill and write to urge all Members vote yes on final passage. FVPSA provides critical support for shelters, coalitions, training and technical assistance centers, children's services, emergency response hotlines, and prevention initiatives. This bill also expands grant programs and makes many needed improvements to ensure more survivors of domestic violence, family violence and dating violence have access to support and safety.

FVPSA provides core funding to support more than 1,500 local, public, private, nonprofit and faith-based organizations and programs and over 250 tribes and tribal organizations in responding to the urgent needs of over 1.3 million domestic violence victims and their children. As you know, there is still an urgent need to increase survivors' access to these vital programs as well as to address current unmet needs. Estimates show that due to a lack of capacity, nearly 200,000 requests for shelter can go unmet in a year. As demonstrated in the annual survey of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, in just one day in 2020, programs across the country were unable to meet 11,407 requests from survivors (requests for emergency shelter, housing, transportation, childcare, counseling, legal representation, and other supportive services).

The important improvements in H.R. 2119 reflect the priorities of the domestic violence field and the diverse needs of survivors, including:

Increasing the funding authorization level to address very low per-program funding levels and provide access to FVPSA funds for more programs not currently funded.

Updating provisions and definitions to ensure access to services for all survivors, better alignment with related statutes, and reflect evolving best practices amongst service providers to provide uniform guidance to the domestic violence field.

Strengthening the capacity of Indian Tribes to exercise their sovereign authority to respond more fully to domestic violence in their communities, and authorizing funding for tribal coalitions and the currently funded Alaska Native Women's Resource Center.

Bolstering support for all survivors through a grant program that increases the capacity of culturally specific community-based organizations to expand access to safety for survivors of color, as well as provisions that promote best practices.

Providing a more robust investment in prevention by bringing evidence-informed prevention initiatives to more tribes, states, and local communities across the country.

Continuing and expanding support for national technical assistance (TA) centers and their work to develop effective policy, practice, research, and cross-system collaborations.

Updating provisions to include additional access and resources for survivors with disabilities and Deaf survivors, including a new TA center on enhancing accessible services for those survivors.

Updating provisions for the National Domestic Violence Hotline and hotline services for underrepresented populations, including American Indians, Alaskan Natives and Deaf survivors.

Creating an underserved grant program to increase access to safety for populations that face additional barriers.

We must continue to ensure that when survivors take the courageous step to reach out for support, individuals, organizations and institutions are prepared to address the risks faced by survivors and their children and improve efforts to create pathways to enhanced safety and well-being.

As you lead the efforts to pass the bill out of the House, we thank you again for your leadership on behalf of survivors, their families, and their communities around the country, and hope the bill moves swiftly through a vote by the full House of Representatives on final passage.

Sincerely,

Alaska Native Women's Resource Center (AKNWRC); Alliance of Tribal Coalitions to End Violence (ATCEV); Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence (API-GBV); Battered Women's Justice Project (BWJP); Casa de Esperanza: National

[email protected] Network for Healthy Families and Communities; Futures Without Violence; Lovelace Consulting, Inc.; National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health (NCDVTMH); National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women; National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV); National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP); National Congress of American Indians (NCAI); National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline); National Indigenous Women's Resource Center (NIWRC); National LGBTQ Institute on IPV; National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV); StrongHearts Native Helpline; The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV); Ujima: National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community; YWCA USA.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), chair of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for bringing outstanding leadership to this issue. And I thank my good friend, Congresswoman McBath, for her outstanding leadership on helping to reauthorize this very important legislation that really saves lives.

In my own district, we lost a heroic Sergeant Preston of the Houston Police Department for one of the most dangerous calls that police get, domestic violence. He was killed. The 11-year-old son was shot, but, thank God, he survived. What terrible, senseless violence.

We know that in this program, more than 76,000 people a day are helped. It is important to take note of the fact that intimate partnership violence is a crucial element of this legislation. To be able to reauthorize the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act is to save lives.

In addition, it is important to take note of my amendment that has been accepted. I look forward to debating it on the floor and the $2 million extra that the State of Texas will give.

But the most important part of it is the recognition that we will save lives and help to bring families together and to unify the Nation.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. I yield the gentlewoman an additional 1 minute.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. As indicated, 76,000 victims of domestic violence are helped, but 11,000 are unable to get help because of the lack of funding.

It is important, as well, to note that, on average, more than one in three women and one in four men in the United States will experience rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner.

It is also important to relieve the regulations, the strangulations that were on this bill before. It now opens it to up provide more to individuals who are suffering.

What we want to do is to end family domestic violence, and what we want to do is to end that intimate partner violence and bring families together, protect children. I am supporting this legislation, and I believe it is long overdue.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Jackson Lee Amendment to H.R. 2119, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act, which makes a good bill even better.

I thank my colleague, Congresswoman McBath of Georgia, for introducing this important legislation which will improve the protection and prevention for Americans affected by family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence.

The Jackson Lee Amendment improves the bill by requiring the Comptroller of the United states to produce a report on the success of outreach efforts to minority communities.

Through the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), survivors receive services such as emergency shelter, crisis counseling, safety planning, and assistance recovering from financial abuse and housing insecurity.

FVPSA is the only federal funding source dedicated to providing support to domestic violence shelters and programs.

Madam Speaker, this bill marks an historic effort to acknowledge and address the unique suffering of family violence survivors from marginalized communities.

I thank the Rules Committee for including my amendment, because this amendment is straightforward and makes this important bill even more effective than it already is.

We must recognize that not all survivors are a monolith.

Different communities and cultures have different perceptions of domestic violence and reactions to it--therefore different communities and cultures need different treatments and prevention measures to address domestic violence.

That is why I am proud to support this bill, which includes provisions that are tailored to these specific populations.

Such provisions include:

1. Providing new grants to local programs serving culturally specific or traditionally underserved communities;

2. Increasing access for survivors from racial and ethnic communities to services by creating a national grant program to build the capacity to address domestic violence; and

3. Increasing funding for Native American tribes by allocating tribal grants as a set-aside to acknowledge their sovereign authority.

These are laudable initiatives, and my amendment goes a step ' further to sustain this commitment by adding a requirement that the Comptroller of the United States must produce a report on the success of outreach efforts to minorities.

Specifically, my amendment requires the Comptroller General to include in the study and report described in Section 19 the results of outreach efforts conducted pursuant to section 308 to certain groups--

including racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, tribal populations, and individuals who are geographically isolated--

regarding increasing the availability and ease of access to services.

Simply put, receiving accurate feedback about our efforts will inform our decision-making, allowing us to adapt and improve upon our programs to reach more minority survivors.

It is these communities specifically that are in the most need of our help.

In my home state of Texas, 29 percent of domestic violence victims are Black despite making up only 12 percent of the population.

The share of domestic violence victims in Texas who are Native American is twice as much as the proportion of Natives in the general population.

Madam Speaker, no member should be complacent with these egregious statistics.

With this bill's increased commitment to prevention and treatment of family violence, we are sending a message to survivors that you are not forgotten.

For these reasons, I encourage all Members to support H.R. 2119, the

``Family Violence and Prevention Services Improvement Act.''

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, this bill contains a number of provisions that are well-known poison pills for Republicans. Democrats can't claim this is a bipartisan bill when it takes far-left positions on multiple social issues that are unrelated to FVPSA's purposes.

This bill was rejected on a party-line basis at a committee markup. Democrats ignored the long history of bipartisan reauthorizations and included poison pills and not moving forward.

The Senate was able to leave politics at the door, and there is no reason for the House not to do the same.

Madam Speaker, the majority of Americans oppose using their hard-

earned money to pay for abortions. A Marist Poll conducted earlier this year showed that as many as 58 percent oppose using tax dollars to fund abortions.

We have repeatedly seen Democrats attack the lifesaving Hyde amendment. This, along with the removal of a longstanding prohibition on using FVPSA funding to reimburse for healthcare services, would risk forcing taxpayers to fund abortions under this program.

FVPSA dollars are meant to offer hope and healing to victims of domestic violence, not bring harm to innocent lives.

Madam Speaker, victims of domestic violence deserve access to the expertise and resources necessary to aid them in their time of crisis, free from political interference. The Democrats' partisan proposal could harm the unborn and obstruct high-quality providers from offering services to domestic violence victims.

As I said before, FVPSA should not be an instrument for partisan policies, especially those that threaten religious liberties.

Committee Republicans want to continue FVPSA's history of bipartisanship, yet Democrats have upended the previously bipartisan balance between prevention services and support for victims and children at the behest of special interest groups. This is shameful.

I encourage my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.R. 2119, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have to respond to a comment about the budget. I would point out and remind everyone that since the 1960s, every Democratic President has ended an administration with a better deficit situation than they inherited, without exception. And every Republican administration has ended their administration with a worse deficit situation than they inherited, without exception. The last President was well on his way to fulfilling that trend before the pandemic.

The Build Back Better and the transportation plans are in the process of being paid for so they will not be adding to the deficit.

Madam Speaker, each person in this Chamber should agree that we must do more to address intimate partner violence in this country. The critical services for survivors under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act have now expired, have been expired for more than 5 years, and are in urgent need of updates.

During the pandemic, many survivors have been isolated with their abusers, while the gaps in our response to domestic violence have been exacerbated. This is not the time for Congress to stand by while our communities continue to endure the far-reaching and lifelong impacts of this public health crisis. Now is the time for Congress to take action.

As we face new challenges during the pandemic, we must ensure that survivors in our most vulnerable communities have access to the support services they need. We must prioritize effective prevention strategies that stop intimate partner violence from occurring in the first place.

Madam Speaker, each of us has the responsibility to do our part to fight against domestic violence. The bill before us is an opportunity to come together and reaffirm our commitment to supporting survivors and preventing all Americans from suffering the devastating consequences of intimate partner violence.

I want to thank all the bipartisan sponsors for their leadership and for their work to pass this urgent legislation. I urge my colleagues to support the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2119, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and now more than ever, we must recommit ourselves to eliminating the threat of domestic violence and ensure survivors have the support they need to heal physically, mentally, and emotionally.

The bill before us today is the only federal funding source dedicated to domestic violence prevention programs, and it is critical this bill is passed to continue funding lifesaving services like emergency shelters, counseling, and crisis hotlines for survivors and their children.

FVPSA has been a key pillar in our nation's strategy to eradicate domestic violence. It has made a difference in my home state. and this bill is estimated to provide a 50 percent funding increase to $4.5 million that will undoubtedly strengthen care for survivors across Michigan.

In addition to improving this law and increasing its resources, we must continue working together to advance comprehensive legislative solutions that protect Americans from the threat of domestic violence.

This issue is personal for me--I've seen it up close growing up. No woman, no child, no person, and no family should fear for their life because of domestic violence. That's why I am a proud co-chair of the Bipartisan Working Group to End Domestic Violence, a group we established in 2018 to unite members from both sides of the aisle to achieve a common purpose: ending domestic violence.

This is not a partisan issue--it's an American issue--and I am honored to work alongside a bipartisan coalition of members who are just as dedicated to accomplishing this task. Our goal today, tomorrow, and each day after will be to end domestic violence and ensure survivors are given the support they deserve.

Earlier this year, the House also reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act. This bill includes vital improvements to address gaps that have been identified by survivors, and I was glad several legislative pieces of mine were included in its reauthorization.

My Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act was again included that would close loopholes that make it easy for domestic abusers to purchase weapons without passing a background check. Additionally, this bill reauthorizes the VAWA Health program at increased levels that helps train health care providers and strengthens collaborations between public health and domestic violence agencies. Finally, it includes my amendment that would update how survivors of domestic violence can obtain protection orders.

Our work is far from over. Without reauthorization of FVPSA and VAWA, programs to help survivors are losing critical funding. We must demonstrate that protecting and expanding resources for survivors are top priorities. I urge all my colleagues to support me in passing this important piece of legislation, and l call on the Senate to swiftly act to protect survivors across the nation.

I would like to thank leadership for bringing this bill to the floor and my colleagues, Reps. McBath, Moore, Young, and Katko for their bipartisan work on this bill.

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H.R. 2119--the Family Violence Prevention and Service Improvement Act.

This bill heavily invests in resources and programs to protect and support women like Gladys Ricart, a 39-year-old-woman and former constituent of mine who was killed by her ex-boyfriend on her wedding day.

After years of physical and mental abuse, she left him to move on with her life, even as he continued to threaten and stalk her.

As she moved on, she met her soulmate, and was happy and eager to marry the man of her dreams.

What should have been one of the happiest days of her life, was instead her last. Her ex-abuser fatally shot Gladys on her wedding day. But her legacy lives on and in 2001, the Brides March was created to remember Gladys Ricart and to bring awareness to domestic violence.

Heartbreakingly, Gladys' story is not isolated or unique.

By passing the Family Violence Prevention and Service Improvement Act, we also have an opportunity to honor her memory--her and the hundreds of thousands of women who have stories just like Gladys'.

This crucial legislation would put millions of dollars towards expanding support for culturally specific domestic violence programs, investing in community-based prevention initiatives, and creating an underserved population grant program.

These resources would help to connect people to advocates and help them safely navigate life during and after leaving an abusive relationship.

And as I think of all the resources this legislation will make available, I think of Gladys and the hundreds of women who march on her behalf.

I think about the one in three woman, particularly black and trans women, who will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime.

I think of the irreputable, lasting harm domestic violence causes families and children.

I think about all these lives that will be catastrophically changed or lost and I know that they deserved more.

As we prepare to vote, I implore everyone to think of all the good the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act will do for all survivors.

Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, everyone, inside Congress and out, has a duty to stop domestic violence.

Those of us in the House of Representatives can fulfill that duty today by voting to reauthorize and strengthen the Family Violence and Prevention Services program.

Sadly, Atlanta experienced what researchers at Emory University called the ``co-occurring pandemics'' of COVID-19 and domestic violence. The victims of both were disproportionately in marginalized communities.

A strengthened Family Violence and Prevention Services program may have prevented those acts of violence in the first place. This bill's expanded resources will support organizations like the Partnership Against Domestic Violence, and everyone else working in the Fifth District to end domestic violence.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, I want you to know you are not alone. Please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1 800-

799-SAFE or text ``START'' to 88788.

Thank you to my fellow Georgian Lucy McBath and to Chairman Bobby Scott for their leadership in advancing this crucial legislation.

I urge all my colleagues to vote yes on the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act because there are not two sides to this issue. You are either opposed to domestic violence or you aren't.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has expired.

Each further amendment printed in part B of House Report 117-137, not earlier considered as part of amendments en bloc pursuant to section 3 of House Resolution 716, shall be considered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, may be withdrawn by the proponent at any time before the question is put thereon, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question.

It shall be in order at any time for the chair of the Committee on Education and Labor or his designee to offer amendments en bloc consisting of further amendments printed in part B of House Report 117-

137 not earlier disposed of. Amendments en bloc shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chair and the ranking minority member of the Committee on Education and Labor or their respective designees, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question.

{time} 1315

Amendments En Bloc No. 1 Offered by Mr. Scott of Virginia

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, pursuant to section 3 of House Resolution 716, I rise to offer amendments en bloc No. 1.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the amendments en bloc.

Amendments en bloc No. 1 consisting of amendment Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8, printed in part B of House Report 117-137, offered by Mr. Scott of Virginia:

amendment no. 1 offered by mr. kahele of hawaii

Page 7, strike lines 22 through 25, and insert the following:

``(9) Native hawaiian; native hawaiian organization.--The terms `Native Hawaiian' and `Native Hawaiian organization' have the meanings given such terms in section 6207 of the Native Hawaiian Education Act (20 U.S.C. 7517).''.

Page 34, line 21, strike ``10'' and insert ``11'',

Page 35, line 7, strike ``population; and'' and insert

``population;''.

Page 35, line 7, after ``Native population;'' insert the following:

``(iv) a Native Hawaiian resource center on domestic violence, to reduce Native Hawaiian disparities; and

Page 45, after line 11, insert the following:

(F) by adding at the end the following:

``(5) Native hawaiian resource center.--In accordance with subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall award a grant to an eligible entity for an Native Hawaiian resource center on domestic violence to reduce Native Hawaiian disparities, which shall--

``(A) offer a comprehensive array of technical assistance and training resources to Native Hawaiian organizations, specifically designed to enhance the capacity of the Native Hawaiian organizations to respond to family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence;

``(B) coordinate all projects and other activities with the national resource center described in paragraph (1)(B);

``(C) coordinate all projects and other activities, with State and local governments, that involve working with the State and local governments, to enhance their capacity to understand the unique needs of Native Hawaiians;

``(D) provide comprehensive community education and prevention initiatives relating to family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence in a culturally sensitive and relevant manner; and

``(E) coordinate activities with other Federal agencies, offices, and grantees that address the needs of Native Hawaiians who experience family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence, including the Office for Victims of Crime and the Office on Violence Against Women of the Department of Justice.''; and

Page 49, line 16, strike ``and''.

Page 50, line 7, strike the period and insert ``; and''.

Page 50, after line 7, insert the following:

(G) by adding at the end the following:

``(6) Native hawaiian resource center.--To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (b)(3), an entity shall be a Native Hawaiian organization, or a nonprofit private organization that focuses primarily on issues of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence within the Native Hawaiian community, that submits information to the Secretary demonstrating--

``(A) experience working with Native Hawaiian organizations to respond to family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence;

``(B) experience providing Native Hawaiian organizations with assistance in developing prevention and intervention services addressing family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence and safety for Native Hawaiian women;

``(C) strong support for the entity's designation as the Native Hawaiian resource center on domestic violence from advocates working with Native Hawaiian organizations to address family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence and the safety of Native Hawaiian women;

``(D) a record of demonstrated effectiveness in assisting Native Hawaiian organizations with prevention and intervention services addressing family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence; and

``(E) the capacity to serve geographically diverse Native Hawaiian communities and organizations.

amendment no. 2 offered by ms. ocasio-cortez of new york

Strike page 3, line 24, through page 4, line 2, and insert the following:

``(2) Child.--The term `child' means an individual who is younger than age 18.

amendment no. 4 offered by cohen of tennessee

Page 88, line 22, strike ``or'' at the end.

Page 89, line 2, strike ``and'' at the end and insert

``or''.

Page 89, after line 2, insert the following:

``(iii) a community-based organization that offers legal services to help victims of domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence and that works to serve the needs of racial or ethnic minority groups, other underserved populations, youth, or children and their parents or caregivers; and''.

amendment no. 5 offered by ms. newman of illinois

Page 81, line 17, insert ``(including mental health providers and substance use disorder treatment providers)'' after ``health care providers''.

amendment no. 6 offered by ms. jackson lee of texas

Page 107, line 6, strike ``and'' at the end.

Page 107, line 12, strike the period at the end and insert

``; and''.

Page 107, after line 12, add the following:

(8) information on the outreach efforts conducted pursuant to section 308 on outreach to racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, tribal populations, and individuals who are geographically isolated, to determine ways----

(A) to increase the availability of services relating to domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence for such groups; and

(B) to ensure access to such services.

amendment no. 8 offered by ms. bush of missouri

Page 79, line 9, insert ``housing and shelter services,'' before ``early childhood programs''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 716, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) each will control 10 minutes.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, there are six amendments in this en bloc.

Mr. Kahele has offered an amendment which establishes the Native Hawaiian Resource Center on domestic violence.

Ms. Ocasio-Cortez has offered an amendment to amend the definition of a child to include any child under 18, including emancipated minors.

Mr. Cohen has offered an amendment to clarify grant eligibility for legal aid organizations.

Ms. Newman has offered an amendment to clarify that domestic violence coalitions may partner with mental health and substance abuse disorder providers.

Ms. Jackson Lee has offered an amendment requiring the GAO study required in the underlying bill to include information on outreach to racial and ethnic minorities.

Ms. Bush has offered an amendment to clarify that domestic violence coalitions can provide training to housing service providers.

These amendments make meaningful improvements to the bill. I urge a

``yes'' vote on the amendments en bloc No. 1, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, while many of the amendments offered today by my Democrat colleagues do not make the bill any worse, they fail to correct the significant flaws of the underlying bill.

Several amendments offered by Republican Members would have improved the bill, but Democrats blocked those amendments from being debated.

Two of those I would like to highlight quickly are: An amendment offered by Congresswoman Mary Miller to ensure FVPSA dollars cannot be used for abortion services or abortion referrals and an amendment offered by Congresswoman Spartz to ensure taxpayers know the mission and purpose of the resource centers authorized under FVPSA.

These amendments are needed to address concerning changes the Democrats make that open the door for taxpayer funding of abortion under FVPSA and also double down on attempts to advance a radical gender ideology through FVPSA's resource centers.

The Democrats missed an opportunity to change course, work in a bipartisan fashion, and send the Senate a bill we know could become law. But they have decided to pursue partisan policy over protecting victims.

Thankfully, this bill is not heading to the President's desk, and I look forward to working on making further needed improvements so victims can access the help they need from those they trust.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen), the chair of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, a heartbreaking statistic of the COVID- 19 pandemic has been the increase of domestic and family violence that continues to affect Americans across the country. It has alarmingly gone up. We must do all we can to keep children and families safe throughout this pandemic and at all times.

My amendment is part of the en bloc package, and it simply clarifies grant eligibility to include legal aid organizations that provide violence prevention services.

There is a direct relationship between legal intervention and a decline in domestic violence. One study found that obtaining a permanent protection order resulted in an 80 percent reduction in physical violence in the 12 months after initial client contact.

Another study found that women represented by legal counsel obtained a protection order 83 percent of the time, while those without legal counsel only received a protection order 32 percent of the time.

In the United States, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men have experienced domestic violence, resulting in tens of millions of Americans experiencing domestic violence in their lifetimes.

Legal aid is a critical prevention tool to help limit the damage domestic violence causes.

I want to thank Chairman Scott, Legal Services Corporation, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and all of the domestic violence prevention organizations for their support of the inclusion of this amendment and the vital work that they do.

I want to thank Reisha Buster on my staff, Kevin on my staff, and all of the other members of my staff.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and the overall bill.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), the chair of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, let me thank the gentleman very much for his work, and again let me thank my colleague, Congresswoman McBath, a member of the Education and Labor Committee and a member of the Judiciary Committee.

Madam Speaker, I rise to support my amendment, and all of the other amendments, which in particular my amendment provides an outreach that I think is extremely crucial to providing an outreach to populations that have been unnecessarily victims of domestic violence.

I do want to, again, emphasize the issue of Sergeant Preston, who died in the course of a police encounter with a domestic abuser with a gun, and to emphasize that an average of 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States; more than 12 million women and men over the course of a year. Nearly 3 in 10 women, or 29 percent, and 1 in 10 men, in the U.S. have experienced physical violence and/or stalking.

This reauthorization is long overdue. Just under 15 percent of women, 14.8 percent, and 12 percent of men in the U.S. have been injured as a result of intimate partner violence that included rape, physical violence, and stalking by an intimate partner. More importantly, how many of them have been killed?

In my own district, we had a circumstance of a domestic violence incident where the woman was killed in the bed, and laying next to her was her newborn infant. The stories are without comparison.

When you talk to women's shelters, the great need that they have and the funding that is going to come from this particular effort is $2 million to the State of Texas alone. The effort that is most important is vulnerable women, women of color, and Native Americans. The Tribal dollars that are in here are crucial as well.

The Violence Against Women Act, I hope that we will see its passage in the Senate, along with the reauthorizing of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act as well, because we, too, address the question of Tribal women.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, Tribal circumstances are an enormously difficult circumstance to be engaged in. The abuse in the Tribal areas, and the utilization of vicious acts then coming out and not being prosecuted is really unseemly.

But this is going to be intervention. This is going to be saving lives.

I would just offer, as I close, a comment on who we should expand this to: the LGBTQ community, the transgender, individuals who have to deal with the remnants of a rape. That is, of course, a pregnancy that my State, the State of Texas, has now violated all human dignity with their abortion bill that not only stops women from engaging with their faith leader, their family members, and their doctor, but it also stalks women and sends people out for a bounty to get $10,000.

So this is the kind of uplifting legislation, reauthorization after 10 years, that is going to address the question of women who are desperately in need and also protect law enforcement officers as well.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has again expired.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Texas.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, this is also going to protect law enforcement officers as well. In tribute and memory to Sergeant Preston, a veteran of the HPD, the idea of being able to go and help and come back with your own life and protect those who are being victimized. The less we have of that and the more intervention that we have, the more we can save lives.

So I want to claim that this particular legislation is lifesaving. I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment, which is, in essence, attempting to get more resources, more information, and support the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, again, these amendments included in the amendments en bloc make meaningful improvements to the bill. I urge a ``yes'' vote on en bloc No. 1, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, again, these amendments do not make any further harm to the programs, but they also do not cure the flaws in the bill before us today. I do not oppose this en bloc but urge my colleagues to oppose the underlying bill.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2119, the ``Family Violence and Prevention Services Improvement Act,'' which will improve the protection and prevention for Americans affected by family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence.

I would like to thank my good friend, Congresswoman McBath, for championing this important legislation and shepherding it to the floor.

The FVPSA supports life-saving services throughout the country via grants to states, tribal governments, and territories through three primary sets of activities, all of which are administered by HHS.

First, the FCPSA funds a national domestic violence hotline that receives calls for assistance related to this violence. The hotline provides crisis intervention and counseling, maintains a database of service providers, and provides referrals for victims and others affected by domestic violence.

Second, FVPSA funds efforts to prevent domestic violence through a program known as Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Allies (DELTA).

Third, FVPSA supports direct services for victims and their families. Most of this funding is awarded via grants to states, territories, and tribes.

FVPSA is the only federal funding source dedicated to providing support to domestic violence shelters and programs.

FVPSA provides base core funding to support more than 1,600 local public, private, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations and programs in their response to the urgent needs of over 1.3 million domestic violence victims and their children.

In 2020, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) found that in just one day, FVPSA-funded programs helped 76,525 victims of domestic violence.

However, over 11,000 people were unable to be served due to a lack of funding.

This shortage of funding is especially severe with shelters serving rural and marginalized populations, and increased funding and culturally-specific programs are essential to addressing the needs of these communities.

FVPSA was first passed in 1984 and was most recently reauthorized in 2010. Its authorization expired in 2015.

Madam Speaker, this bill marks an historic effort to acknowledge and address the unique suffering of family violence survivors from marginalized communities.

That is why I am proud to support this bill, which includes provisions that are tailored to these specific populations.

Such provisions include:

1. Providing new grants to local programs serving culturally specific or traditionally underserved communities;

2. Increasing access for survivors from racial and ethnic communities to services by creating a national grant program to build the capacity to address domestic violence; and

3. Increasing funding for Native American tribes by allocating tribal grants as a set-aside to acknowledge their sovereign authority.

Simply put, receiving accurate feedback about our efforts will inform our decision-making, allowing us to adapt and improve upon our programs to reach more minority survivors.

It is these communities specifically that are in the most need of our help.

In my home state of Texas, 29 percent of domestic violence victims are Black despite making up only 12 percent of the population.

The share of domestic violence victims in Texas who are Native American is twice as much as the proportion of Natives in the general population.

In addition to addressing the special needs of minority communities, there is a litany of other exciting provisions in this bill that build upon the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, such as:

1. Increasing the funding authorization level to $253 million to address chronic underfunding that resulted in 11,000 people not receiving services in a single day.

2. Technologically updating the National Domestic Violence Hotline and improving hotline services for underrepresented populations.

3. Authorizing funding for tribal coalitions, which provide support to tribal domestic violence programs but are not currently authorized by statute to receive FVPSA funding.

4. Authorizing new grants of up to $150,000 to each state, territorial and tribal coalition to prevent domestic violence.

A bill of this nature is incredibly important for my home state of Texas, where it is estimated that 1 in 3 Texans will be a victim of domestic violence during their lifetime.

Madam Speaker, no member should be complacent with these egregious statistics.

With this bill's increased commitment to prevention and treatment of family violence, we are sending a message to survivors that you are not forgotten.

For these reasons, I encourage all Members to support H.R. 2119, the

``Family Violence and Prevention Services Improvement Act.''

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 716, the previous question is ordered on the amendments en bloc offered by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott).

The question is on the amendments en bloc.

The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that the ayes appeared to have it.

Mr. CLYDE. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 8, the yeas and nays are ordered.

Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question are postponed.

Amendments En Bloc No. 2 Offered by Mr. Scott of Virginia

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, pursuant to section 3 of House Resolution 716, I rise to offer amendments en bloc No. 2.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the amendments en bloc.

Amendments en bloc No. 2 consisting of amendment Nos. 3 and 7, printed in part B of House Report 117-137, offered by Mr. Scott of Virginia:

amendment no. 3 offered by ms. foxx of north carolina

Page 22, strike lines 12 through 14.

Page 22, line 15, strike ``(4), as so redesignated'' and insert ``(5)''.

Page 23, line 8, strike ``(5), as so redesignated'' and insert ``(6)''.

amendment no. 7 offered by ms. letlow of louisiana

Strike the text of the committee print and insert the following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021''.

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

Section 303 of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10403) is amended--

(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``$175,000,000'' and inserting ``$270,000,000''; and

(2) by striking ``fiscal years 2011 through 2015'' each place such term appears and inserting ``fiscal years 2022 through 2026''.

SEC. 3. LIMITATION ON ESTABLISHMENT OF SPECIAL ISSUE RESOURCE

CENTERS.

Section 310(a) of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10410(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``(3) Limitation.--The Secretary shall provide to the Congress not less than 120 days notice before awarding any grant for the establishment of a special issue resource center under paragraph (2)(A)(ii) after the date of the enactment of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021.''.

SEC. 4. GAO REVIEW OF RESOURCE CENTERS.

Section 310 of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10410) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``(e) GAO Review.--

``(1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a review of the national resource centers and special issue resource centers authorized under this section and submit a report to the Congress not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021 that includes an evaluation of the effectiveness of the entities receiving a grant under this section at preventing family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence, and providing successful intervention services.

``(2) Additional matter.--The report ssubmitted under paragraph (1) shall also include--

``(A) an evaluation of the quality of the data submissions by each entity receiving a grant under this section;

``(B) recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for improvements to the use of the resource centers; and

``(C) an evaluation of the ability of the Department of Health and Human Services to present statutorily-required data on entities receiving a grant under this section to the Congress within the congressionally-mandated timeline.''.

SEC. 5. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES.

The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10401 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 315. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES.

``Nothing contained in this title shall be construed to authorize the making of any payment under this title for abortion services or referrals for receipt of such services.''.

SEC. 6. ACCOUNTABILITY.

(a) Authority of Secretary.--Section 304(c) of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10404(c)) is amended to read as follows:

``(c) Reports.--

``(1) In general.--Every 2 years, the Secretary shall review and evaluate the activities conducted by grantees, subgrantees, and contractors under this title and the effectiveness of the programs administered pursuant to this title, and submit a report containing the evaluation to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate. Such report shall also include--

``(A) a summary of the documentation provided to the Secretary through performance reports submitted under sections 306(d), 310(d), 311(g), 312(e), 313(f), and 314(h);

``(B) a description of how the grantees, subgrantees, and contractors met the goals of their activities;

``(C) a description of how grantees and subgrantees awarded funds under this title use those funds so they are not duplicative of, or overlap with, other Federal, State, local, and private funds directed toward preventing family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence; and

``(D) for any of the grantees that continue to receive funding, a description of the changes that were made to their activities to improve services and meet the purpose of the Act.

``(2) Public availability.--The Secretary shall make publicly available on the Department of Health and Human Services website, in an easily searchable format, the evaluation reports submitted to Congress under this subsection, including the summary of the documentation provided to the Secretary under sections 306(d), 310(d), 311(g), 312(e), 313(f), and 314(h).''.

(b) Formula Grants to States.--Section 306(d) of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10406(d)) is amended to read as follows:

``(d) Reports and Evaluations.--Each grantee shall submit an annual performance report to the Secretary at such time as shall be reasonably required by the Secretary. Such performance report shall describe the grantee and subgrantee activities that have been carried out with grant funds made available under subsection (a) or section 309, including the number of families and individuals served and the types of services rendered, contain an evaluation of the effectiveness of such activities, and provide such additional information as the Secretary may reasonably require.''.

(c) National Resource Centers and Training and Technical Assistance Centers.--Section 310(d) of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10410(d)) is amended to read as follows:

``(d) Reports and Evaluations.--Each entity receiving a grant under this section shall submit a performance report to the Secretary annually and in such manner as shall be reasonably required by the Secretary. Such performance report shall describe the activities that have been carried out with such grant funds, including the number of families and individuals served and the types of services rendered, contain an evaluation of the effectiveness of the activities, and provide such additional information as the Secretary may reasonably require''.

(d) Grants to State Domestic Violence Coalitions.--Section 311(g) of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10411(g)) is amended to read as follows:

``(g) Reports and Evaluations.--Each entity receiving a grant under this section shall submit a performance report to the Secretary annually and in such manner as shall be reasonably required by the Secretary. Such performance report shall describe the activities that have been carried out with such grant funds, including the number of families and individuals served and the types of services rendered, contain an evaluation of the effectiveness of the activities, and provide such additional information as the Secretary may reasonably require''.

(e) Specialized Services for Abused Parents and Their Children.--Section 312(e) of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10412(e)) is amended to read as follows:

``(e) Reports and Evaluations.--Each entity receiving a grant under this section shall submit a performance report to the Secretary annually and in such manner as shall be reasonably required by the Secretary. Such performance report shall describe the activities that have been carried out with such grant funds, including the number of families and individuals served and the types of services rendered, contain an evaluation of the effectiveness of the activities, and provide such additional information as the Secretary may reasonably require''.

(f) National Domestic Violence Hotline Grant.--Section 313(f) of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10413(f)) is amended to read as follows:

``(f) Reports and Evaluations.--Each entity receiving a grant under this section shall submit a performance report to the Secretary annually and in such manner as shall be reasonably required by the Secretary. Such performance report shall describe the activities that have been carried out with such grant funds, including the number of families and individuals served and the types of services rendered, contain an evaluation of the effectiveness of the activities, and provide such additional information as the Secretary may reasonably require''.

(g) Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Alliances (DELTA).--Section 314(h) of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10414(h)) is amended to read as follows:

``(h) Reports and Evaluations.--Each organization entering into a cooperative agreement under this section shall submit a performance report to the Secretary at such time as shall be reasonably required by the Secretary. Such performance report shall describe activities that have been carried out with the funds made available through the agreement, including the number of families and individuals served and the types of services rendered, contain an evaluation of the effectiveness of such activities, and provide such additional information as the Secretary may reasonably require. The Secretary shall make the evaluations received under this subsection publicly available on the Department of Health and Human Services website. The reports shall also be submitted to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 716, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) each will control 10 minutes.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act provides critical services to victims of domestic violence, and faith-based organizations are some of the leading providers of these services.

Unfortunately, the Democrats' bill would change that by adding extreme provisions that stray from FVPSA's important purposes and could limit participation of the important faith-based providers.

The substitute amendment offered by Congresswoman Letlow ensures that faith-based providers don't have to choose between their beliefs or continuing to deliver the vital service and care that help protect victims.

Congresswoman Letlow's amendment also brings much-needed accountability to FVPSA. The law currently authorizes the Secretary to create domestic violence resource centers, but these resource centers have been used to push a radical gender ideology rather than help victims of domestic violence.

That is why the substitute amendment requires the Secretary to provide notice to Congress before creating additional resource centers. Further, it requires the Government Accountability Office to issue a report on the effectiveness of these resource centers and provide recommendations for improvements on how they can do a better job delivering services to victims.

It has been too long since Congress has exercised effective oversight of this program, and it is time to change that. Beginning with the provisions in Congresswoman Letlow's amendment, this law will finally have some real accountability metrics.

{time} 1330

The Democrats' bill also strikes a current law provision that requires certain grant recipients to obtain funding from sources outside the Federal Government, so Federal taxpayers are not on the hook for providing all of the funding.

While Republicans are committed to ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and effectively, Democrats refuse to acknowledge that we are nearly $30 trillion in debt. Their radical taxing-and-spending spree is intended to create the largest Federal Government expansion since the New Deal, and this bill is the latest attempt by the Democrats to create further reliance on government, pushing out private-sector involvement in these critical programs. That is why the amendment I offered ensures the important non-Federal match provision under FVPSA remains in place.

I urge my colleagues to support these amendments, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, there are two amendments in this en bloc. First, as it has been explained, the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) has offered an amendment to reinstate the State match requirement, and the gentlewoman from Louisiana (Ms. Letlow) has offered a substitute amendment, leaving out the majority of the programming improvements in H.R. 2119 and adding a problematic provision regarding abortion.

These amendments undermine the bipartisan, bicameral progress included in H.R. 2119 and neglect to make any changes or enhancements to FVPSA programs.

These amendments en bloc fail to meet the moment. There are a number of things they do:

They halt the creation of a new resource center on disability and domestic violence needed to counter the disproportionate rates of intimate partner violence among people with disabilities.

They prevent Tribal governments from getting the resources they need to combat domestic violence, which occurs at alarming rates in Tribal communities.

They strike grants that support survivors from racial and ethnic minority groups. Communities of color face disproportionate rates of domestic violence and sexual assault and often experience barriers to accessing services.

They remove the addition of new prevention grants to ensure prevention funding goes to every State, Tribe, and territory, despite the fact that currently only 10 States receive funding to do any prevention work, and this amendment maintains that status quo.

These amendments would also reinstate State matching fund requirements. Particularly during the ongoing pandemic and economic crisis, this would create significant operational challenges for service providers. For example, nonprofit organizations do not have the benefit of guaranteed funding and may struggle to meet match requirements. Ultimately, this means fewer services available for survivors.

The amendments en bloc also include a partisan attack on abortion, undermining a comprehensive reauthorization that can meaningfully improve the lives of survivors of intimate partner violence.

These amendments inject needless political controversy into this debate, undermining the hard work we have done to develop a comprehensive reauthorization. Instead of acknowledging the complexities of medical decisions for both women and their providers, abortion opponents use these bills and amendments like these as a distraction.

These amendments threaten the progress we have made on the bill, and therefore I urge a ``no'' vote on amendments en bloc No. 2.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance my time.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Louisiana (Ms. Letlow).

Ms. LETLOW. Madam Speaker, I appreciate Dr. Foxx's strong leadership of the committee and on this important issue.

According to CDC estimates, at least one in three Americans has experienced sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by a partner. For decades, Congress has worked in a bipartisan fashion to dedicate resources toward preventing and healing the suffering of these victims.

But today, the bill we are considering, H.R. 2119, the Family Violence and Prevention Services Improvement Act, includes several highly concerning provisions.

First, this bill opens the door for entities to spend taxpayer dollars on abortions.

Secondly, it forces an unnecessary conversation about sexual orientation and gender identity when these issues have never been a part of this bill before and should not be a barrier between people and the services they need.

Our focus must be on supporting survivors and those who use these vital resources. That is why my substitute amendment replaces the full text of the bill before us with multiple key provisions to ensure victims of domestic violence and their dependents receive critical assistance to help them in their time of crisis.

First, my amendment reauthorizes the current Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, FVPSA, for the next 5 years, ensuring that victims of domestic violence get the lifesaving, supportive services they need.

FVPSA was enacted to save innocent lives, not put them in harm's way. That is why my amendment also rejects a change included in the Democrats' proposal that could lead to violence prevention dollars going to support abortion services. The amendment makes clear that Federal law should not support abortions. Upholding the sanctity of every human life is of utmost importance, and it is critical to ensure that no taxpayer dollars pay for abortions.

Next, my amendment also protects the ability of faith-based organizations to continue helping victims of domestic violence. Countless religious organizations work tirelessly to help protect victims of domestic violence, but the Democrats' radical abortion agenda risks denying victims' access to these providers.

Finally, my amendment brings much-needed transparency and Federal agency accountability to the programs authorized under this law. Congress should have safeguards in place to ensure that these resources are going to the people who truly need them and not being used to push a hidden agenda without the public's knowledge.

The Republican substitute is a carefully crafted set of reforms that puts victims of family violence and the people who serve them first. Furthermore, it is a pro-life amendment strongly opposed by Planned Parenthood.

I urge my colleagues to reject the other side's bill and instead embrace the commonsense, lifesaving provisions included in the Republican substitute amendment.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I believe I have the right to close. I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, it is critical that we reauthorize FVPSA in a bipartisan manner, free from partisan poison pills. The Democrats' bill fails to do that, but the Republican amendments would set aside politics, ensuring FVPSA continues to offer help to victims of domestic violence.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Madam Speaker, again, the amendments included in this en bloc weaken the bill. I urge a ``no'' vote on en bloc No. 2. I yield back the balance of my time.

The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Wasserman Schultz). Pursuant to House Resolution 716, the previous question is ordered on the amendments en bloc offered by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott).

The question is on the amendments en bloc.

The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that the noes appeared to have it.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 8, the yeas and nays are ordered.

Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question are postponed.

Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, further consideration of H.R. 2119 is postponed.

____________________

SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 188

The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.

House Representatives' salaries are historically higher than the median US income.

ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY

State of Texas