SAVE: Violence Against Women Act - Senate Judiciary vote

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Since its enactment in 1994, the Violence Against Women Act has been criticized by people as serving to expand the reach and size of government, to weaken the family, and to roll-back the Constitution. And because of its innocent-sounding name, few lawmakers have been willing to take on the VAWA juggernaut.

Late last week the Senate Judiciary Committee announced it was going to hold a mark-up of the VAWA reauthorization bill, S. 1925. And we knew GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley was unhappy with Sen. Patrick Leahy’s bill, for a variety of reasons.

So groups mounted telephone campaigns, did lobbying, and Concerned Women for America put together a group letter that was signed by 25 groups and individuals. This letter was circulated to GOP senators just minutes before yesterday’s mark-up.

And when the dust had settled, all 8 GOP senators voted ‘No’ on Sen. Leahy’s bill, instead preferring Sen. Grassley’s substitute amendment. All 10 Democratic senators voted ‘Aye,’ so Leahy’s bill carried through the committee. In a word, yesterday’s party line vote was unprecedented.

Now the VAWA bill goes to the full Senate, which may take up the bill as early as next week.

If you’d like to write an article about this historic vote, you may find the VAWA: Mandate for Change report helpful: http://www.saveservices.org/partner-violence-reduction-act/mandate-for-change/