Politics in Action: S. 1925 and S.J. Res. 36

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY

S. 1925 – Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2011

(Sen. Leahy, D-VT, and 60 cosponsors)

The Administration strongly supports Senate passage of S. 1925 to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, a landmark piece of bipartisan legislation that first passed the Congress in 1994 and has twice been reauthorized.  That Act transformed the Nation's response to violence against women and brought critically needed resources to States and local communities to address these crimes.

The Administration is pleased that S. 1925 continues that bipartisan progress and targets resources to address today’s most pressing issues.  Sexual assault remains one of the most underreported violent crimes in the country.  The bill provides funding through State grants to improve the criminal justice response to sexual assault and to better connect victims with services.  The bill also seeks to reduce domestic violence homicides and address the high rates of violence experienced by teens and young adults.  Reaching young people through early intervention can break the cycle of violence. 

The Administration strongly supports measures in S. 1925 that will bring justice to Native American victims.  Rates of domestic violence against Native American women are now among the highest in the United States.  The bill builds on the Tribal Law and Order Act – which President Obama signed on July 29, 2010 – to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of tribal justice systems and will provide additional tools to tribal and Federal prosecutors to address domestic violence in Indian country.  The Administration also supports the important leadership role of the Office on Violence Against Women and believes that all victims should have access to critically needed services and protections. 

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY

S.J. Res. 36 – Providing for Congressional Disapproval of the Rule Submitted by

the National Labor Relations Board Relating to Representation Election Procedures

(Sen. Enzi, R-WY, and 44 cosponsors)

The Administration strongly opposes passage of S.J. Res. 36, which would overturn recent commonsense measures adopted by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to streamline and modernize workplace elections and ensure that workers deciding if they wish to be represented by a union have a fair vote in a reasonable amount of time.  The Administration is committed to supporting the right of workers to join and participate in a union and bargain for fair wages, benefits and a safe workplace.  These rights are fundamental to better conditions for American workers and to an open, just, economically fair and prosperous society.  S.J. Res. 36 attacks these bedrock American values. 

If the President is presented with a Resolution of Disapproval that would reverse these measures adopted by the NLRB, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto the Resolution.