CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS – LEGAL AFFAIRS
April 20, 2012 – 8:49 p.m.
Despite Support in Senate, Uncertainty Lingers on Violence Against Women Act
By John Gramlich, CQ Staff
The Senate has enough votes to pass a bill to renew the Violence Against Women Act, but that doesn’t mean debate over the suddenly contentious legislation is close to being over.
Senate action could come as early as this week after the chamber completes consideration of an overhaul of the Postal Service (
Sixty-one senators, including eight Republicans, have signed on as cosponsors of the reauthorization of the law (PL 103-322), and the chief opponent —
Still, Grassley, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, is making clear he is not ready to accept the bill (
The amendment — which has not yet been released — is expected to strike provisions that have sparked an unexpected furor over the reauthorization.
Grassley wants to strip language that would grant more visas to illegal immigrants who are victims of domestic abuse, prevent shelters from discriminating against domestic violence victims who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender and expand the law’s reach to give American Indian authorities jurisdiction over non-Indians accused of abusing Indian women.
Leahy contends the language “will both strengthen important provisions and fix weaknesses in the committee-passed bill.” The Judiciary Committee approved the bill in February with no Republican support.
Grassley contends the provisions are unnecessary and distracting, saying the reauthorization “shouldn’t be an avenue to expand immigration law or to give additional benefits to people here unlawfully.” He also has raised concerns over the bill’s costs and its oversight provisions.
A key question is whether Majority Leader
Even so, it is unclear how many, if any, senators who have signed onto Leahy’s bill will support Grassley’s version. Advocates who back Leahy’s bill note that some Republicans have voiced strong support for the measure, despite concerns within their party.
Last week, Democrats and Republicans traded jabs over the normally bipartisan legislation — with Republicans accusing Democrats of pushing a controversial, costly expansion of the law and Democrats characterizing Republican opposition as part of a broader “war on women.”
Focus Shifts to House
Despite Support in Senate, Uncertainty Lingers on Violence Against Women Act
In the House, the debate over renewing the law is just beginning. Speaker
Terri Poore, vice president and policy chairwoman of the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, said the Senate bill’s expanded language was the result of years of research and discussions with professionals who work with domestic violence victims. “It would be a shame to lose all that work,” she said, adding that there were signs some House Republicans might be open to the expanded version.
Poore said House Judiciary Chairman
But other advocates vowed to work just as hard to defeat the Senate language should it reach the House. “We certainly will be working behind the scenes to get rid of the things we don’t like when it comes before the House,” said Janice Shaw Crouse of Concerned Women for America, a group that opposes expanding a law that it views as already too broad.
Broad Push for Reauthorization
The law, informally called VAWA, was created in 1994 under legislation sponsored by then-Sen.
“The idea we’re still fighting about this in Congress, that this is even a debatable issue, is truly sad,” Biden said April 18. “It’s not a reflection on the law. It is a reflection on our inability in this town to deal with something that by now should just be over in terms of debate about it.”
Despite the partisan accusations, both parties express confidence the law will be renewed. “Reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act isn’t partisan,” Grassley said last week. “Despite the rhetoric, Republicans are firmly committed to reauthorizing VAWA.”
Beyond Washington, the law has enjoyed bipartisan backing. In January, 52 state attorneys general urged Congress to reauthorize the law. “Reauthorizing VAWA will send a clear message that this country does not tolerate violence against women and show Congress’ commitment to reducing domestic violence, protecting women from sexual assault and securing justice for victims,” the attorneys general wrote.