Like many of you, we are deeply concerned by reporting in The Hill indicating that the new administration’s budget proposal may call for the elimination of the Office on Violence Against Women and Violence Against Women Act grants. We take seriously any efforts to reduce or eliminate funding for domestic violence services. This is an important time for us all to channel those concerns into strong, coordinated, proactive steps to sustain this vital funding.

A few things to keep in mind as you prepare to act:

• This article reports on what is believed to be included in President-Elect Trump’s budget proposal. The actual budget proposal has not yet been released. When it is official, the Partnership will examine it closely with our national allies, share our analyses and offer more specific action steps.  
• As usual, a President’s budget proposal is just the first step in the budget process – Congress must still prepare its funding bills (when we will have multiple opportunities to weigh-in) — and VAWA programs have strong bipartisan support in Congress.

Now is the time for action, not panic! Join with the Partnership and our allied coalitions in taking action now.  

1. Please join us and take action: Call your Member of Congress and Senators today. 

Express your serious concern about any efforts to eliminate funding for VAWA programs.

You can find your Member of Congress and their contact information here.

State Senators:

• Senator Dianne Feinstein (D – CA) | Phone: (202) 224-3841 
• Senator Kamala Harris (D – CA) | Phone: (202) 224-3553 

Sample Phone Script:

Hello, my name is ________ and I’m with __(name of organization, if applicable)__ in __(city)__. I’m calling to express the critical, lifesaving importance of programs funded through the Office on Violence Against Women and the Violence Against Women Act. I am deeply concerned about reporting that President Trump’s budget proposal will call for the elimination of this funding. These grant dollars allow programs to provide survivors, their families, and communities with the services and support they need. For over 20 years, the Violence Against Women Act has been a cornerstone of our coordinated community response to domestic and sexual violence. These programs must be strengthened and funding increased – not cut. I urge you to stand with survivors and reject any cuts to the Violence Against Women Act funding as Congress develops its funding bills. Thank you.

2. Call your State Assemblymember and Senator

It is important that state officials know how threats to federal funding may impact domestic violence survivors and programs in their communities.

You can find your State Legislators here​.

Sample Phone Script:

Hello, my name is ________ and I’m with __(name of organization, if applicable)__ in __(city)__. I’m calling to express my concern at how federal funding cuts may impact the essential, lifesaving services for domestic violence survivors here in our community. I am deeply concerned that if federal funding for the Violence Against Women Act and other programs is cut or eliminated, that our ability to provide needed services for domestic violence survivors will be drastically reduced. We were pleased to see that the Governor’s Budget Proposal included level-funding in the amount of $20.6 million for domestic violence programs, and we hope you will stand with survivors throughout this year to sustain this state funding and guard against federal cuts. Thank you.

3. Follow-Up:

Please send us a quick email at policy@cpedv.org letting us know you’ve made calls and any feedback you received.

4. Schedule in-district meetings with your elected officials and their staff.

While Washington, DC may be a long plane ride away, your Members of Congress have offices in their home districts. Meeting with them in the district is a great way to build relationships and connect local concerns to federal policy. Email us at policy@cpedv.org when you have your meeting scheduled, and we can provide support and see how we may coordinate.

Once you schedule those in-district meetings, the Partnership can help you prepare. Sign up for our upcoming webinar, The Keys to Effective In-District Advocacy, to be held on February 7^th at 1pm. Click here to register. The webinar will provide information about the importance of in-district meetings and practical tips and tools for successful advocacy with your elected officials.

5. Sign-up for our webinar

Once you schedule those in-district meetings, the Partnership can help you prepare. Sign up for our upcoming webinar, The Keys to Effective In-District Advocacy, to be held on February 7^th at 1pm. Click here to register. The webinar will provide information about the importance of in-district meetings and practical tips and tools for successful advocacy with your elected officials.

6. Be prepared to taking action on future action alerts

We anticipate this will be one of many calls to action throughout the year, and your quick response will be essential. Keep an eye out for stand-alone calls to action like this one.