Feminist Peace Network

URGENT ACTION ALERT — Please Forward
3/22/07

Two critical opportunities for action in the Senate!

As you know, although Congress approved spending for VAWA programs by
passing VAWA 2005, they must still provide funding for them through the
annual Budget and Appropriations processes. The early Spring is when
Congress is making many decisions about Federal funding - it is our primary
window of opportunity to increase VAWA funding. There are 2 URGENT issues
we need your help with now!

1) Tell your Senators to vote YES on the Biden VAWA budget amendment to
increase available Federal funds for VAWA.

Senator Biden is offering an amendment to the Federal Budget Resolution
that, if passed, would increase the funds available for VAWA programs by
$100 million. The Senate is voting on the Budget Resolution all day
TOMORROW, MARCH 23.

The Budget Resolution sets the TOTAL amount of funds available for Federal
programs. Later in the year, the Appropriations process DIVIDES that
funding among the various Federal programs. Basically, the Budget
Resolution determines how big the pie will be, and the Appropriations
process decides how to slice the pie. The bigger the pie, the bigger the
slices can be!

For more information about how the Budget impacts Appropriations, download
our explanation at www.nnedv.org/pdf/budgetandappropriationsoverview.pdf.

Increasing the funding available in the Budget Resolution means there is a
greater chance of increasing funding for VAWA programs specifically, though
it is not a guarantee. It also puts the Senate on record as supporting
increased VAWA funding - a big help during the Appropriations process.

It is essential that the Appropriations Committee have enough money in the
Budget Resolution to enable them fully fund VAWA programs! Since the vote
is tomorrow, your Senators need to hear from you ASAP.

2) Ask your Senators to sign on to the Biden/Crapo letter requesting full
funding for VAWA.

Senator Biden and Senator Crapo are circulating a letter in the Senate
requesting full funding for VAWA in the Appropriations process. The letter
would be sent to the leadership of the Appropriations Committee, and must
have many signatures to tell them how important VAWA funding is!

The deadline for Senators to sign the letter is April 13, but it currently
only has 6 signatures!

Your calls make a huge difference! Thanks to your calls and letters, 136 US
Representatives signed a similar letter that was circulated in the House.
It’s a great success and wouldn’t have been possible without you. Visit
www.nnedv.org/funding to see a copy of the letter and a list of the
Representatives who signed it.

FULL FUNDING for ALL NEW and EXISTING VAWA PROGRAMS is a crucial investment
in our communities, one that saves both lives and money.

PLEASE CALL YOUR SENATORS IMMEDIATELY AND TELL THEM TO SUPPORT INCREASED
VAWA FUNDING.

TELL YOUR SENATORS:

** The city and state you are calling from.

** “Please VOTE YES on the Biden VAWA amendment to the Budget.”

** “This amendment will enable sufficient funding for lifesaving VAWA
programs.”

** “Please also sign on to the appropriations letter being circulated by
Senators Biden and Crapo requesting full funding for VAWA.”

If they would like more information about the letter, please inform them
that they can contact either Senator Biden’s office at (202) 224-9488 or
Senator Crapo’s office at (202) 224-7500.

** If you have time, tell them why your city or state needs funding for
VAWA programs. Talk about increased demand for services and unmet needs OR
share successes from VAWA-funded programs.

For contact information for your Senators, visit www.senate.gov or call the
Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.

Never called your Members of Congress before? Don’t worry, it’s easy!

When you call your Senators, your call will be answered by a receptionist.
Tell him or her that you want to leave a message for the Senator. The
receptionist will take down your message.

For more information, including detailed information about VAWA, visit
www.nnedv.org/funding

Filed under: Uncategorized, Action Alerts