2018: Fitzpatrick Voted For An FY 2019 Defense, Labor, HHS, Education
Conference Report Appropriations Bill And Continuing Resolution Which
Also Extended The Violence Against Women Act Through December 7, 2018.
In September 2018, Fitzpatrick voted for an FY 2019 appropriations bill
and continuing resolution. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The
agreement provides FY 2019 appropriations for two annual spending
measures --- Defense and Labor-HHS-Education --- as well as a continuing
resolution to keep all federal departments and agencies operating
through Dec. 7 if they don't have full-year appropriations enacted.
Together, the two spending bills provide a total of $784.5 billion in
discretionary spending subject to budget caps, 63% of the $1.244
trillion limit for FY 2019. It provides $674.4 billion in net
discretionary funding for the Defense Department ($19.8 billion more
than FY 2018 but $1.1 billion less than requested), including $606.5
billion in base discretionary funding ($17.0 billion more than FY 2018)
and $67.9 billion in OCO funding. For Labor-HHS-Education it provides
$180 billion in discretionary spending, including $178.1 billion
subject to budget caps and $1.9 billion in program integrity funding
--- $977 million more than comparable FY 2018 funding and $10.7
billion more than requested." The vote was on passage. The House passed
the bill by a vote of 361 to 61. The president later signed the bill
into law. [House Vote 405,
9/26/18; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/25/18; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
6157]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted To Reauthorize The Violence Against Women
Act. In February 2019, Fitzpatrick voted for legislation reauthorizing
VAWA. According to Congressional Quarterly, "This bill reauthorizes
through FY 2024 programs enacted under the Violence Against Women Act
(VAWA), and it modifies the programs to further help state and local
governments improve strategies to combat violent crimes against women
and to strengthen victim services. It makes it a crime for police
officers to sexually assault those under arrest; it increases prison
sentences for those who stalk minors and applies domestic violence
penalties against those who commit violence against a current or former
dating partner; it allows the victims of domestic violence to terminate
a housing lease without penalty and requires federal housing officials
to provide emergency transfers to different housing units if an
individual believes he or she is threatened with imminent harm or a
sexual assault recently occurred on the property; and it prohibits
individuals from begin denied unemployment benefits solely because they
lost or left their job due to domestic violence, sexual assault or other
harassment. The measure also expands existing prohibitions on the
ability of individuals to purchase firearms if they have been convicted
of domestic violence by including those who abused dating partners as
well as individuals subject to temporary court restraining orders, and
it allows certain VAWA grant monies to be used toward efforts to recover
and store firearms from individuals convicted of domestic violence." The
vote was on passage. The House passed the legislation by a vote of 263
to 158. [House Vote 156,
4/4/19; Congressional
Quarterly,
3/29/19;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1585]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted To Provide Funding For Programs Under The
Violence Against Women Act Annually Through FY 2026, Including $222
Million For Justice Department STOP Grants, $110 Million For Rape
Prevention And Education Grants, $75 Million For Legal Services To
Survivors, $60 Million To States, $50 Million For Support In Rural
Communities, $45 Million For Grants Focused On Teen Dating, And $40
Million For Culturally Specific Victim Services. In March 2021,
Fitzpatrick voted for the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of
2021 which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "authorize or
reauthorize programs enacted under VAWA, including $222 million for
Justice Department STOP grants to support state and local law
enforcement and victim services in response to violent crimes against
women; $110 million for Health and Human Services Department rape
prevention and education grants; $75 million for legal services to
victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking or sexual
assault; $60 million for states to support sexual assault services;
$50 million to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual
assault and stalking in rural communities; $45 million for Justice
Department SMART violence prevention grants focused on teen dating,
children exposed to violence at home and men as role models; $40
million to support culturally specific victim services." The vote was on
passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 244-172. The Senate did
not take substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 86,
3/17/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/17/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1620]
The Creation Of "Culturally Specific Victim Services Programs"
Would Direct Funds For Organizations In Certain Communities Or To
Tackle Harmful Practices Targeted Towards Women Such As Female
Genital Mutilation. According to Congressional Quarterly, "New
provisions in this year's bill, sponsored by Texas Democrat Sheila
Jackson Lee, would create a $40 million dedicated fund for
'culturally specific victim services programs' for organizations in
specific communities or to combat practices like female genital
mutilation." [Congressional Quarterly,
3/16/21]
The Bill Would Have Funded Programs Related To Cybercrimes, Crimes
On College Campuses, Violence Against People With Disabilities, And
Violence Against People Over The Age Of 50. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "funding for programs related to law
enforcement response to cybercrimes against individuals, violent
crimes on college campuses, violence against deaf individuals and
individuals with disabilities, and abuse of individuals age 50 or
older." [Congressional Quarterly,
3/17/21]
The Bill Would Have Expanded Tribal Authorities' Jurisdiction Over
Crimes Committed By Non-Natives Within Their Jurisdiction And
Authorized $7 Million Through FY 2026 To Aid Tribal Governments
With Law Enforcement Tasks. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"expand the jurisdiction of tribal authorities over crimes by
non-Indians in tribal jurisdiction and authorize $7 million
annually through fiscal 2026 to assist tribal governments with law
enforcement activities." [Congressional Quarterly,
3/17/21]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against An Amendment That Would
Authorize $1 Million In FY 2022 To Develop Domestic Violence Training,
$8 Million Annually Through FY 2026 To Implement Training For
Unemployment Personnel, And $1 Million In FY 2022 And $5 Million
Annually Through FY 2026 For Temporary Assistance For Needy Families
Employees. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick effectively voted against the
manager's amendment to the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act
which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "modify requirements
and increase funding authorized for new programs to require domestic
violence training for unemployment compensation personnel and Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families program personnel, including to authorize
including $1 million in fiscal 2022 for grants to develop a training
program for unemployment personnel and $8 million annually through
fiscal 2026 for program implementation, as well as $1 million in fiscal
2022 and $5 million annually through fiscal 2026 for a similar program
for TANF personnel." The vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House
adopted the rule by a vote of 216-204, thus automatically adopting the
manager's amendment. [House Vote 79,
3/16/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/16/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1620;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
233]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against An Amendment That Would
Increase Victim Service Organization Grants By $8 Million Annually To
Help Domestic Violence And Sexual Assault Survivors In Underserved
Communities, And The Justice Department Would Use The Grants For Law
Enforcement And Legal Personnel Trainings. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick
effectively voted against the manager's amendment to the Violence
Against Women Reauthorization Act which would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "increase from $2 million to $10 million the
amount authorized annually for grants to victim service organizations to
assist victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or
stalking in underserved populations, and it would require the Justice
Department to provide such grants for activities to strengthen the
response of criminal and civil justice interventions by providing
population-specific training for law enforcement and legal personnel."
The vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by
a vote of 216-204, thus automatically adopting the manager's amendment.
[House Vote 79, 3/16/21;
Congressional Quarterly,
3/16/21; Congressional Actions,
H.R.
1620;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
233]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against An Amendment That Would
Authorize $1 Million In FY 2022 To Develop Domestic Violence Training,
$8 Million Annually Through FY 2026 To Implement Training For
Unemployment Personnel, And $1 Million In FY 2022 And $5 Million
Annually Through FY 2026 For Temporary Assistance For Needy Families
Employees. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick effectively voted against the
manager's amendment to the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act
which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "modify requirements
and increase funding authorized for new programs to require domestic
violence training for unemployment compensation personnel and Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families program personnel, including to authorize
including $1 million in fiscal 2022 for grants to develop a training
program for unemployment personnel and $8 million annually through
fiscal 2026 for program implementation, as well as $1 million in fiscal
2022 and $5 million annually through fiscal 2026 for a similar program
for TANF personnel." The vote was on a motion to order the previous
question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 212-200. [House
Vote 78, 3/16/21;
Congressional Quarterly,
3/16/21; Congressional Actions,
H.R.
1620;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
233]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against An Amendment That Would
Increase Victim Service Organization Grants By $8 Million Annually To
Help Domestic Violence And Sexual Assault Survivors In Underserved
Communities, And The Justice Department Would Use The Grants For Law
Enforcement And Legal Personnel Trainings. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick
effectively voted against the manager's amendment to the Violence
Against Women Reauthorization Act which would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "increase from $2 million to $10 million the
amount authorized annually for grants to victim service organizations to
assist victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or
stalking in underserved populations, and it would require the Justice
Department to provide such grants for activities to strengthen the
response of criminal and civil justice interventions by providing
population-specific training for law enforcement and legal personnel."
The vote was on a motion to order the previous question. The House
agreed to the motion by a vote of 212-200. [House Vote 78,
3/16/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/16/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1620;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
233]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Omnibus Spending Proposal Preventing
Another Government Shutdown And Providing $498 Million For The Office
On Violence Against Women. In February 2019, Fitzpatrick voted for the
FY 2019 consolidated appropriations bill. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "This Conference Summary describes the agreement on H J Res
31, Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2019, which provides
detailed, full-year funding for all seven remaining FY 2019 spending
bills ---thereby completing the FY 2019 appropriations process. The
centerpiece, Homeland Security, provides $1.375 billion for new and
replacement barriers along the U.S. border with Mexico, including 55
miles of new fencing, along with an increase of $1.5 billion in other
border security funding --- such as for new technology at ports of entry
and additional Customs officers. Outside of the Homeland bill, it
includes another $1.6 billion for border security, as well as a 1.9%
pay increase for federal civilian employees." The vote was on passage.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 300 to 128. The bill was later
signed into law by the president. [House Vote 87,
2/14/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 2/14/19; Congressional
Actions, H. J. Res.
31]
2018: Fitzpatrick Voted For The $1.3 Trillion FY 2018 Omnibus
Spending Deal Which Raised Spending By $138 Billion Over FY 2017
Levels, Including $492 Million For The Office On Violence Against
Women. In March 2018, Fitzpatrick voted for the FY 2018 Omnibus
spending bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Combined, the
spending measures would provide about $1.3 trillion in discretionary
spending, with $1.2 trillion subject to discretionary spending caps,
and $78.1 billion designated as Overseas Contingency Operations funds.
The measure's spending levels are consistent with the increased defense
and non-defense budget caps set by the two-year budget deal agreed to
last month. That agreement increased the FY 2018 defense cap by $80
billion and the non-defense cap by $63 billion. Given that the previous
caps were set to reduce overall discretionary spending by $5 billion,
the net increase provided by the omnibus is $138 billion over the FY
2017 level." The vote was on the motion to concur in the Senate
Amendment with an Amendment. The House agreed to the motion, thereby
passing the bill, by a vote of 256 to 167. The Senate later agreed to
the legislation, sending it to the president, who signed it into law.
[House Vote 127,
3/22/18; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/22/18; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
1625]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Expand And Reauthorize Through FY 2027
Programs Under The Violence Against Women Act, Including $222 Million
Annually For Justice Department STOP Grants And $100 Million For Rape
Prevention And Education Grants. In March 2022, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the second portion of the
Fiscal 2022 Omnibus Appropriations, which would "expand and reauthorize
through fiscal 2027 programs enacted under the Violence Against Women
Act, including authorizing $222 million annually for Justice Department
STOP grants to support state and local law enforcement response and
victim services related to violent crimes against women and $100
million for Health and Human Services Department rape prevention and
education grants." The vote was on the motion to concur in the Senate
amendment with a House amendment. The bill was divided and this vote was
the second portion of the bill. The House concurred with the Senate by a
vote of 260-171. After resolving differences, the bill was sent to the
President and became law. [House Vote 66,
3/9/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/9/22; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
2471]
The Bill Renewed The Violence Against Women Act By Raising Funds
For Prevention And Prosecution Programs And Aiming To Combat The
Backlog Of Unprocessed Rape Kits. According to CNN, "The bill
renews the Violence Against Women Act, which expired in 2018, by
increasing funding for its prevention and prosecution programs, as
well as efforts to reduce the backlog of unprocessed rape kits,
according to a fact sheet." [CNN,
3/9/22]
The Bill Extended Programs Under The Violence Against Women Act
For Five Years And Modified The Programs To Father Support State And
Local Governments Combat Violent Crimes Aimed At Women And
Strengthen Their Victim Services. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "Extends for five years, through FY 2027, programs
enacted under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and modifies
the programs to further help state and local governments improve
strategies to combat violent crimes against women and to strengthen
victim services." [Congressional Quarterly,
3/9/22]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted For Reauthorizing The Violence Against Women
Act Through FY 2026 Which Would Expand Numerous Programs And Policies In
Order To Assist Survivors Of Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence And Sex
Trafficking. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted for the Violence Against
Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 which would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "reauthorize programs enacted under the
Violence Against Women Act through fiscal 2026. It would also expand a
number of these programs and other programs and policies aimed at
addressing and assisting victims of domestic violence, dating violence,
sexual violence, stalking and sex trafficking." The vote was on passage.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 244-172. The Senate did not take
substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 86,
3/17/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/17/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1620]
Some Republicans Were Opposed To Including Psychological And
Economic Abuse To The Definition Of Domestic Violence And Disagreed
With "The Lack Of Faith-Based Exemptions For Some Program
Providers." According to Congressional Quarterly, "Some
Republicans take issue with the expansion of the definition of
domestic violence to include psychological and economic abuse, in
addition to physical violence, and the lack of faith-based
exemptions for some program providers." [Congressional Quarterly,
3/16/21]
The Violence Against Women Act Lapsed In Late 2018 After Congress
Failed To Reauthorize It Due To Partisan Issues Regarding Firearms
And Transgender Rights, But Congress Has Been Able To Fund Related
Programs Without The Reauthorization. According to NPR, "The law
was last reauthorized in 2013, but it lapsed at the end of 2018
after Congress failed to act due to partisan disputes over guns and
transgender issues. The lapse has had little practical effect
because Congress continues to fund related programs despite the lack
of authorization." [NPR,
3/17/21]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Reduce The
Reauthorization Of Funding For Four Fiscal Years Of The Violence Against
Women Reauthorization Act. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted against an
amendment which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "replace
the bill's provisions with language to reauthorize funding for programs
and activities under the Violence Against Women Act through fiscal
2022." The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The House rejected
the amendment by a vote of 177-249. [House Vote 85,
3/17/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/17/21;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
32;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1620]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act. In March 2021, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the "adoption of the rule that
would provide for House floor consideration of a joint resolution
removing the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment
(H J Res 17), the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (HR 1620)
[...] The rule would provide for up to one hour of debate on each of
the five measures; make in order floor consideration of 41 amendments to
HR 1620; and provide for automatic adoption of a Nadler, D-N.Y.,
manager's amendment to HR 1620." The vote was on the adoption of the
rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of 216-204. [House Vote 79,
3/16/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/16/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1620;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
233]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act. In March 2021, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the "motion to order the previous
question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule
(H Res 233) that would provide for House floor consideration of a joint
resolution removing the deadline for the ratification of the equal
rights amendment (H J Res 17), the Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act (HR 1620) [...] The rule would provide for up to
one hour of debate on each of the five measures; make in order floor
consideration of 41 amendments to HR 1620; and provide for automatic
adoption of a Nadler, D-N.Y., manager's amendment to HR 1620." The vote
was on a motion to order the previous question. The House agreed to the
motion by a vote of 212-200. [House Vote 78,
3/16/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/16/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1620;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
233]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For Allowing Funding For Training Campus
Personnel To Use Victim-Centered, Trauma-Informed Interview Techniques
That Is Focused On The Victim's Experience. In April 2019, Fitzpatrick
voted for an amendment that would have, according to Congressional
Quarterly, "allow[ed] grant funding to be used for training campus
personnel to use victim-centered, trauma-informed interview techniques,
focused on the experience of the victim, and informed by evidence based
research on the neurobiology of trauma in addressing victims of sexual
harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence or
stalking." The underlying legislation reauthorized the Violence Against
Women Act. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 258 to 173. The
House later passed the underlying bill. [House Vote 149,
4/3/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 4/3/19; Congressional
Actions, H. Amdt.
123;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1585]