Violence Against Women Act Renewed by Senate, Heads to House

Obama calls for House to follow suit

The Violence Against Women Act was renewed by Senate on Tuesday with a 78-22 vote. All "no" votes came from Republicans, while all female senators (regardless of their political party) supported the legislation. Reauthorizing the act extends services, such as funding for investigation and prosecution of violent crimes against women, through 2018. It also gives various protections and assistance to women facing domestic abuse. The act is now heading to the House, but last year when the Senate voted to extend the Act's protections to same-sex partners, undocumented immigrants and Native American women, it was met with resistance from the House. In a statement praising the effort for its bipartisanship, President Obama said, "It's now time for the House to follow suit and send this bill to my desk so that I can sign it into law." (LA Times)

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