Impact of debt ceiling deal on DV/SA services

 
The Budget Control Act of 2011 (S. 365), is perhaps most notably known for its provisions that raise the debt ceiling by at least $2.1 trillion through 2013.  However, in order to offset the debt ceiling increase and reduce the federal deficit, the law contains massive cuts estimated at $2.4 trillion over 10 years that would affect key safety net programs starting in Fiscal Year (FY) 2012.
Analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities indicate that the law imposes roughly $1 trillion in discretionary spending cuts enforced by an estimated $1 trillion in discretionary spending caps over the next 10 years.  The spending caps would impact annual appropriations funding related to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), Victims of Crime Act (VOCA); as well as education, childcare, community services and low-income housing programs. 
In addition, the new law mandates Congress to form a bipartisan Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction or "super committee" to reduce projected deficits by $1.5 trillion and generate at least $1.2 trillion in savings over 10 years by November 23, 2011.  Otherwise, should Congress fail to meet the deadline, the law contains a "poison pill" that automatically triggers $1.2 trillion across-the-board spending cuts over 10 years effective January 2013.  This trigger also referred to as sequestration would impact both mandatory and discretionary spending for programs such as VAWA, FVPSA, VOCA, Medicare, defense, among other non exempt programs. Furthermore, the law requires Congress to approve a constitutional amendment that would mandate an annual balanced budget; which ultimately requires three-quarters approval of the states. 
What this means in plain English:
Domestic and Sexual Violence programs have never been a budgeting priority of the current congressional majority. The mandate to cut spending without raising additional revenue means that it is likely that programs that provide domestic violence and sexual assault services will take deep cuts. This is in addition to the deep cuts that were already imposed during the last renewal of the Violence Against Women Act, which had the effect of closing hundreds of rape crisis and shelter programs. It is anticipated that the impact of the cuts-only/no-revenue approach to economic reform will be that rape, sexual abuse, and domestic violence programs across the country will either cease many services, or close.
The House was working swiftly to approve appropriations for 2012, in the hopes that these services could be spared for at least one more year. However, funding for the Violence Against Women Act and the Victims of Crime Act will be about $7 BILLION less than requested by the President (and $3 BILLION less than the current level--which, as I pointed out above, is already a "cut" amount anyway).
Cuts will include:
Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies (-$4.88 million)
National Tribal Sex Offender Registry (-$1.0 million)
Stalker Reduction (-$2.99 million)
Protections and Services for Disabled Victims (-$.99 million)
Safe Havens Project /Supervised Visitation (-$2.31 million)


So here's the bottom line: under the guise of "balancing the budget," congress is poised to cut, or cancel funding, for domestic violence and sexual assault programs which hardly cost a hundredth of a percent of our budget anyway. Eliminating these programs does NOTHING to ease the debt or deficit, and eradicates rape and sexual abuse programs across the country. Votes DO have consequences.
Members of Congress are back home in districts from August 4th through September 5th. Over the next six months, Congress and the powerful bipartisan "Super Committee" will determine where to cut more than $2.4 trillion in spending cuts. Your representatives need to hear from you. As their constituents, your voices best emphasize the need to continue these critical funding streams. Please call or meet with your Congressional delegation and tell them the following:
 
"Hello, my name is _______ and I am from [City, State]. Please do not cut funding for the Violence Against Women Act, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act and the Victims of Crime Act. These life-saving programs are crucial investments that promote self-sufficiency. My family and I are counting on you, please do not let us down."
 
TARGET LIST: "SUPER COMMITTEE" MEMBERS
 
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)----(202) 224-3542
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)----(202) 224-2621
Senator John Kerry (D-MA)----(202) 224-2742
Senator Max Baucus (D-MT)----(202) 224-2651
Senator Minority Leader Mitchell McConnell (R-KY)----(202) 224-2541       
Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ)----(202) 224-4521                  
Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA)----(202) 224-4254
Senator Rob Portman (R-OH)----(202) 224-3353
House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH)----(202) 225-6205
Representative Jeb Hensarling (R-TX)----(202)225-3484
Representative Dave Camp (R-MI)----(202) 225-3561
Representative Fred Upton (R-MI)----(202) 225-3761
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)----(202) 225-4965