{WOMENSENEWS}-- The U.S. Senate voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act Tuesday afternoon in a 78-to-22 vote, Think Progress reported Feb. 12.
The version passed by the Senate today will go to the House for a vote, where it is expected to encounter some difficulties House Republicans, particularly over the protections of tribal women included in the bill. Seventeen House Republicans wrote to House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) Monday night urging them to "immediately" pass a bipartisan VAWA bill. They didn't specifically endorse the Senate bill, however, The HuffPost reported Feb.11. The bill authorizes $659 million over five years for VAWA programs. It also expands VAWA to include new protections for LGBT and Native American victims of domestic violence, to give more attention to sexual assault prevention and to help reduce a backlog in processing rape kits. “We urge the House of Representatives to follow the Senate and pass an inclusive, bi-partisan VAWA bill, so that YWCAs across the country can continue to provide safe harbor for the many women who seek protection from violence,” Dr. Dara Richardson-Heron, CEO of YWCA USA, said in a press statement.