Press Releases

Representative Gwen Moore Joins Colleagues in Reintroducing Bipartisan Legislation to Support Survivors of Domestic Violence

Washington, DC— U.S. Representative Gwen Moore joined her colleagues in reintroducing the bipartisan Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2026 (FVPSA). The bill will reauthorize and expand funding for programs focused on supporting survivors and preventing family and domestic violence. These programs are the only federal funding sources under the Department of Health and Human Services dedicated to providing domestic violence prevention services.

The legislation is co-led in the House by Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), Lucy McBath (D-GA-06), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), and Young Kim (R-CA-40).Companion legislation is led by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE).

“In the face of danger and distress, many victims are left defenseless with no secure place to turn. This bipartisan bill would reauthorize several critical federal efforts to prevent domestic violence and support survivors, including to provide access to temporary shelter for those who need it the most. I will continue to be a champion for survivors, to work to end domestic violence, and call on policymakers from both sides of the aisle to support the Family Violence Prevention Services Improvement Act of 2026,” said Rep. Gwen Moore.

“The anguish of far too many survivors of domestic violence is a painful and unshakeable reminder of our fundamental need to put an end to it. We must do all we can to keep children and families safe, and we are long past due for a reauthorization of these vital programs,” said Rep. Lucy McBath. “This bill helps provide survivors a way up, a way out, and a way forward—answering the call of state, local, and tribal leadership for more resources and increased funding to help end domestic violence. I thank my colleagues for their continued support."

“This bill strengthens our response to domestic violence by increasing funding, updating outdated policies, and making sure more survivors can actually access help,” said Senator Lisa Murkowski.  “It supports Tribal communities and culturally specific organizations, and ensures hotlines and local programs have the tools they need to meet growing demand. Most importantly, it helps survivors find safety, stability, and a path forward—no matter where they live. I’m proud to reintroduce the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act to ensure victims and their children can access the help they need.”

“More than 10 million Americans experience domestic violence annually. It impacts every state, city, and community across our nation,” said Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. “I’m proud to stand with this bipartisan and bicameral coalition to reintroduce the Family Violence Prevention Services Improvement Act and support programs focused on prevention, protection, and support.”

The Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2026:

• Increases the funding authorization level to $270 million to respond to very low per-program funding levels and provide access to FVPSA funds for programs not currently funded.
• Expanding support for and access to culturally-specific programs.
• Culturally-specific organizations are better equipped to address the complex, multi-layered challenges facing victims from racial and ethnic minority populations as they seek services and protections from abuse.
• Culturally-specific programs often have challenges accessing FVPSA funding at the state and local levels due to the limited funding available and robust competition. This bill authorizes a new culturally-specific program to address these needs and incorporates related funding into the formula itself.
• Strengthening the capacity of Indian Tribes to exercise their sovereign authority to more fully respond to domestic violence in their communities and authorizes funding for tribal coalitions and the Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center.
• Meaningfully investing in prevention. Brings evidence-informed, community-based prevention initiatives to more communities.
• Strengthening and updating the National Domestic Violence Hotline and hotline services for underrepresented populations, including American Indians, Alaskan Natives and Deaf victims of domestic and dating violence.
• Creating a new underserved populations grant program.
• The lack of resources and severity of violence is often heightened for survivors living at the margins, such as those living in rural communities, individuals with disabilities, older adults, those identifying with faith-based communities, youth and others. These underserved populations are often reluctant to seek assistance, and when they do, they frequently look for services and support in their immediate communities. This bill creates a grant program for family centers, youth centers, senior centers, community-based organizations or vocational organizations to meet the needs of these survivors.
• Continuing to support national technical assistance (TA) centers, including the Alaskan Native Tribal Resource Center on Domestic Violence, and their work to develop effective policy, practice, research and cross-system collaborations.
• Updating provisions and definitions to ensure access to services for all survivors, better align with related programs and reflect evolving practices in order to provide uniform guidance to those working to end domestic violence.
• Updates language to reflect current practices and provide a reference to other statutes to ensure common understanding across different federal programs.