The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is turning out to be a struggle to pass. The Senate has made some changes to it, as it’s renewal approaches, but the House doesn’t agree with the addendums made.
In the world of high profile politics, this battle has turned into an all out riot as we enter the throws of the election year. In order to come to some resolution on this point, congressional leaders are in need of appointing negotiators to hammer out the details and come up with a solid plan. The differences between the two factions will have to come to a final agreement in order for legislation to be passed.
That is easier said than done. Each side blames the other for the hold on the process, therefore nothing is being accomplished at all.
The version coming out of the Senate was approved with bipartisan support, with a vote of 68 to 31. Every Republican woman supported the measure fully, which would expand the coverage to illegal immigrants and Native Americans who are victims of abuse. There are also inclusions made on behalf of gay, lesbian, and transgender victims.
In the House, however; Republicans oppose those changes, passing their own measure with a much closer vote of 222 to 205. Their bill stripped the extended coverage for illegal immigrants, Native Americans, gay, lesbian, and transgender victims. The vote was largely split along party lines.
"We’re eager to resolve our differences…This is an important issue for our country and it needs to be resolved," said House Speaker John Boehner at his weekly news conference Thursday. "I think the bigger question is whether Senator Schumer and his Democrat allies in the Senate want to come to an agreement on this bill or whether they want to continue to attempt to use it as a political weapon in this year’s election cycle."