House Agrees To Vote On Expanded Version Of VAWA Tomorrow

The House has agreed to vote on an expanded version of the Violence Against Women Act Thursday, if the stripped-down version they introduced does not pass.

The legislation, which provides resources to aid victims and prosecute perpetrators of domestic violence and sexual assault, was federal law before expiring in 2011. Since then, Congress has failed to reauthorize the legislation because expansions added to ensure protection for LGBT individuals, undocumented immigrants, and Native Americans have faced opposition from Republicans in the House.

Earlier this month, the Senate passed a VAWA bill with those added provisions. Rep. Larson, a co-sponsor of the original 1994 act, said last week the Senate bill had “more than enough Democrat votes and enough Republican votes [to pass]“, but he feared House leadership would refuse to put it to a vote. Now they’ve agreed to do so–exhibiting bipartisanship the day before the sequester cuts are set to take effect.