House Republicans advance own version of Violence Against Women Act
WASHINGTON — House Republicans Tuesday advanced their own version of an election-year bill to protect women from violence.
The House Judiciary Committee voted 17-15 along party lines to renew the 1994 Violence Against Women Act that protects abused women and which expired last year. The Democratic-controlled Senate passed a conflicting version last month.
The law historically has enjoyed bipartisan support. This year, with the presidency and congressional majorities at stake and female voters a pivotal constituency, it has become the latest vehicle for gender politicking over an issue on which there has been little debate in less-polarized years.
Republicans say they want to tighten provisions in the Senate bill that would protect abused immigrants – as well as taxpayer money doled out under the law.
Democrats say any effort to change the Senate version is just the latest shot in what they say is the GOP’s “war against women.”
Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act in 1994 to provide legal assistance to abuse victims.
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