Violence Against Women Policy Trends Report 18

June 19, 2001

David M. Heger
National Violence Against Women Prevention Research Center
University of Missouri - St. Louis
Political Analyst

Federal

Congress has passed spending guidelines to accommodate the resulting loss in federal revenue from the large tax cut approved last month, but the real appropriations process has only just begun. Lawmakers must pass 13 omnibus spending bills before October 1, 2001 — the beginning of the new fiscal year — and only one of these has made it through committee, to date. At the same point last year, the House Appropriations Committee had finalized work on eight of the budget bills. Further complicating the situation, Democrats, who now possess control of the Senate, are publicly vowing to fight for more federal spending than allowed by the budget resolution passed by Congress, while President Bush has promised to veto any measure that exceeds established targets. Analysts and lawmakers alike agree that Congress will likely be grounded in Washington well past October 1 to finish work on the budget and other matters.

Violence against women issues continue to receive scant attention on Capital Hill, as legislators proceed with President Bush's priorities. On the heels of a $1.35 trillion tax cut, the Senate recently gave the President his second major legislative victory by passing several of the education reforms on which Mr. Bush campaigned last fall. This week the Senate will take up what Democrats, led by new Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), have pegged as their top priority — a patients' bill of rights for dealing with HMO's. The House will be busy considering a $5.6 billion defense supplemental spending bill and an agricultural spending bill.

A panel of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted six to three to endorse the prescription sale of a common date-rape drug — gamma hydroxy butyrate (GHB) — under the brand name Xyrem. Along with approval of the drug, the panel urged the FDA to develop a strong risk management plan to ensure that GHB does not fall into the wrong hands. The drug has been found to be useful in treating a rare but dangerous complication of the sleep disorder narcolepsy. Although the FDA is not required to follow the recommendations of its appointed panels, it often does. Last year, President Clinton signed into law a bill that toughens federal laws for possession and distribution of GHB.

State

As July approaches, state legislative activity continues to grind its way to a halt. The few remaining part-time legislatures still engaged in regular session work — Delaware, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Tennessee — are all expected to adjourn by early July. With most state lawmakers back in their home districts, consideration of state-level violence against women bills has all but ceased.

The Wisconsin Assembly, which meets throughout the year, recently gave approval to a bill that repeals the statute of limitations for rape. If the state Senate follows suit, Wisconsin would join a growing number of state legislatures this year to eliminate time limits on the prosecution of sexual assaults. Before adjourning in mid-June, the Louisiana Legislature gave final approval to a tougher, new anti-stalking law that focuses on the reaction of the victim rather than the intent of the perpetrator.