Staff ReportsPresident Biden recently took a nostalgia trip down memory lane to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, a piece of legislation he has long touted as his own. Back in his Senate days, Biden was the man behind the curtain, crafting the bill that supposedly sent shockwaves of protection through the federal bureaucracy for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Fast forward three decades, and it appears he still wants to bask in the glory of his past accomplishments as if they were freshly baked cookies.
During his anniversary remarks, the President telegraphed some grand plans aimed at further easing housing burdens for victims. One might wonder, after 30 years of federal intervention, why the need for more assistance? It’s as if the past three decades were merely a warm-up act for the main event. Perhaps it’s a coincidence that these announcements come at a time when the administration is scrambling for policy wins, or maybe they just hope a few good headlines will draw attention away from the ongoing economic woes faced by a majority of Americans.
President Joe Biden has marked the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) into law with new funding of over $690 million in 2024 fiscal year grant funding to support survivors of gender-based violence. pic.twitter.com/GXZNUqLk0X
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) September 12, 2024
As if that wasn’t enough to stoke the flames of government intervention, Biden is also expected to address the issue of online harassment and abuse. Because, of course, nothing screams “I understand your struggles” quite like President Biden stepping in as the internet’s self-appointed sheriff. With the online wild west growing more chaotic by the minute, one can only imagine the iceberg-sized burden of new federal regulations lurking just around the corner. One question remains: will ‘Uncle Joe’ take his own advice and finally get on TikTok to know firsthand what the youth are facing?
While the sentiment behind the Violence Against Women Act may resonate with many, the underlying assumption that the government should be the first line of defense for victims raises eyebrows. After all, in a country that prides itself on individual freedom and personal responsibility, wouldn’t empowering communities and local organizations be a better approach rather than federal overreach with one-size-fits-all solutions?
The irony of it all is particularly rich: in an attempt to address the complexities of domestic violence, this administration may only be muddying the waters further. It’s hard to ignore the distinct possibility that this push is more about political optics than actual effective intervention. As the government dives deeper into these murky waters, the average American continues to wonder if the real victims here are those struggling under the weight of increased regulation and retribution from an ever-watchful state. In the end, there may be more questions than answers left in the wake of this commemorative speech.
