At a recent hearing on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget for the U.S. Department of Justice, Senator Susan Collins raised concerns with Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding proposed cuts to programs funded by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). These programs are essential for supporting survivors of domestic and sexual abuse.
Senator Collins highlighted her role as an original co-sponsor of the VAWA Reauthorization Act in 2022, which enhanced protections and services for victims and their children. She emphasized that “the programs authorized by this law are critical to reducing violence against women, ensuring that justice is administered, and strengthening services to victims and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.”
Despite the importance of these initiatives, the Department’s budget proposal suggests reducing funding for the Office on Violence Against Women from approximately $713 million in Fiscal Year 2025 to $505 million in Fiscal Year 2026—a decrease of nearly 30 percent. The cuts affect transitional housing assistance, sexual assault services programs, rural victims’ programs, among others.
In response to Senator Collins’ questions about these reductions, Attorney General Bondi acknowledged her commitment to combating domestic violence. She stated: “This budget includes $505 million to prevent and respond to violence against women,” adding that it is a compromise due to fiscal constraints. Bondi assured: “We can always do more with more, but we can do more with less,” pledging continued efforts to support victims.
Senator Collins expressed hope for collaboration with Bondi on improving budget allocations: “I hope we can work together to get to a better place on the budget because I am convinced from talking with advocacy groups and with survivors themselves that we need to do more.”
Bondi agreed on the importance of addressing issues in rural areas and committed: “I’m committed to working with you and every state on all of those issues.”
