Salute! President Obama Will Sign Violence Against Women Act

Bill's renewal extends rights to others

President Obama will sign the renewed Violence Against Women Act into law Thursday. Having been passed by both the Democratic Senate and the Republican House, the Act offers assistance to victims of domestic and sexual violence. Its renewal extends the protections to gay, bisexual or transgender victims, and allows American Indian women who are assaulted on reservations by non-Indians to take their case to tribal courts. It authorizes $659 million a year over five years to fund programs that provide grants for transitional housing, legal assistance, law enforcement training and hotlines. Obama hopes for similar days ahead with an agenda that includes immigration, gun control, and a new debt reduction that includes higher taxes on the wealthy as well as budget cuts. (USA Today)

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