House Increases Legal Aid Funding for Domestic Violence Victims

On June 17, the House of Representatives passed, by a vote of 425-4, an amendment authored by Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI) to increase funding for the Violence Against Women Act Legal Assistance Program by $4 million. Fiscal year 2010 funding level will now be $41 million. The roll call vote is available at http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll354.xml

In her speech on the floor regarding the amendment, Rep. Moore stressed the critical need of legal aid lawyers to provide legal representation to domestic violence victims who are seeking life-saving personal protection or getting custody of their kids to receive transitional housing.  To view a transcript of Rep. Moore's speech, please visit, http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/wi04_moore/pr090617.html

To learn more about this grant program and to determine program eligibility, please visit http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/lav_grant_desc.htm