Former Vice President Joe Biden on Friday called for Congress to officially reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) after the measure’s funding was left out of a compromise spending bill to avert a second government shutdown.

In a series of tweets, Biden called on Congress to reauthorize the act rather than play “political football” with funding for the National Domestic Violence Hotline and other provisions.

{mosads}”When I wrote the Violence Against Women Act in 1994, I believed it would be a lifeline. But this Congress has turned it into a political football. It’s time to pass a strong reauthorization to the Violence Against Women Act. No more stalling. Lives are on the line,” Biden wrote Friday.

“VAWA’s power is that it gets stronger with each reauthorization. This year can be no different. Like was done in 2000 and 2005 and 2013, we must expand the reach of VAWA to respond to the needs of survivors at risk every day,” he continued.

When I wrote the Violence Against Women Act in 1994, I believed it would be a lifeline. But this Congress has turned it into a political football. It’s time to pass a strong reauthorization to the Violence Against Women Act. No more stalling. Lives are on the line.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) February 15, 2019

VAWA’s power is that it gets stronger with each reauthorization. This year can be no different. Like was done in 2000 and 2005 and 2013, we must expand the reach of VAWA to respond to the needs of survivors at risk every day.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) February 15, 2019

Biden’s remarks came after House and Senate negotiators this week decided to punt funding for VAWA in a spending package to avert another government shutdown.

Democrats left an extension for the act’s funding out of the broader funding package as they are reportedly planning to overhaul the legislation later this year, according to CNN.

Biden is considered to be a potential top contender for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination and commands the lead across a number of polls so far. Sources with knowledge of his plans told The Hill this week that the former vice president is almost certain to enter the race.