Violence Against Women Act Passed By House

Legislation heads to Obama now for signature

The Violence Against Women Act was renewed by The House on Thursday. The legislation passed on a vote of 286-138, with 199 Democrats and 87 Republicans joining in support of the reauthorization of the 1994 law, which assists victims of domestic and sexual violence. Last month, the bill passed the Senate with 78 votes — including those of every woman, every Democrat and just over half of Republicans. The newly passed legislation creates and expands federal programs to assist local communities with law enforcement and aiding victims of domestic and sexual abuse. It also offers protections for gay, bisexual or transgender victims of domestic abuse, and allows American Indian women who are assaulted on reservations by non-Indians to take their case to tribal courts. (NY Times)

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