Statement from EMILY's List President Stephanie Schriock On Senate Passage Of The Violence Against Women Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, despite Republican objections, the U.S. Senate passed the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) by a vote of 68 – 31. Senate Democratic women took to the floor in the hours preceding the vote to argue for its passage.

“Watching the strong Democratic women in the Senate stand up today in support of the Violence Against Women Act has been absolutely inspirational,” said EMILY’s List President Stephanie Schriock. “It’s so clear that having their voices in Washington is critical to advancing an agenda that protects and prioritizes women and families. Democratic women in Congress are on the front lines fighting back against the GOP war on women. I’m excited that 2012 is shaping up to be such an historical year for Democratic women candidates – because it’s time to send these champions some reinforcements.”

In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY’s List raised more than $38.5 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With a community of more than 1,000,000 members across the country, EMILY’s List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY’s List has worked to elect 87 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 16 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY’s List had the largest number of members and donors in our 27 year history.