Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison
The Violence Against Women Act passed the U.S. Senate Thursday in a 68-31 vote but marked the first time since its passage in 1994 that the renewal brought opposition.
This renewal featured the expansion of VAWA’s protections to LGBT victims of domestic abuse, as well as extending the amount of temporary visas for illegal immigrants of abuse and allowing tribal courts to handle cases of abuse against Native American women on reservations by non-Indian suspects.
Anti-gay Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, were working an alternative version that lowered the amount of temporary visas and removed the LGBT provisions.
Although Hutchison and 14 other Republicans voted for the LGBT-inclusive VAWA after the Senate rejected the alternative bill, she reportedly said that she “worked with many of my colleagues to have a substitute that has the same coverage but is better in other ways.”
The bill reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act for five years and lowers the funding by $136.5 million to $659.3 million a year from the last act. The money funds programs such as legal assistance for victims and transitional housing.
House Republicans are also working on an alternate bill, which is supposed to mirror Hutchison’s by leaving out LGBT victims of domestic abuse. The House is expected to vote on the bill in May.
The Human Rights Campaign issued a statement Friday about the anti-LGBT version of the bill that was introduced.
“The House Republican leadership’s version of VAWA reflects their political objectives, but not the needs of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault,” HRC President Joe Solmonese said. “We can’t afford to turn a blind eye to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking. LGBT victims of domestic violence face a number of challenges when it comes to receiving care. The Senate version of VAWA ensures no one ever will be turned away from critical services simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity; the House version leaves LGBT people out in the cold.
“Despite rhetorical claims that the Senate bill was political and partisan, the fact of the matter is that 15 Republican Senators voted for the bill and 63 Senators rejected an amendment similar to the House Republican bill,” Solmonese said. “The Senate bill is bipartisan and is the VAWA that is supported by law enforcement, court, prosecution, legal services, and victim services professionals.”
so vile-what is wrong with NE? Truly the armpit of the US…
The only thing I find “vile” is that “House Republicans are also working on an alternate bill, which is supposed to mirror Hutchison’s by leaving out LGBT victims of domestic abuse. The House is expected to vote on the bill in May.”
Seriously, this one is done. The vote is in. Every human deserves to be treated with respect. I can’t believe that is a surprise… on to infrastructure!
I will be so glad when this bitch is out of office for good. She doesn’t have the common sense to vote right on anything.
I am sick of people who comment here and the Dallas Voice bashing Kay Bailey. Do y’all know how fabulous she is? You say her alternative was gay bashing but did you realize she voted for the bill you promote? Serious. Look it up. Kay, you are so very fabulous! You look great and I would die to see your closet or work on your hair. Four years ago I got an honorable discharge from military service. Yes, I am gay. And I went to Kay’s Dallas office because my benefits were in question with my health plan. Her staff worked tirelessly to help me. When I went to Washington I got to thank her during a Thursday coffee. I said, Kay, thanks for all you do for us veterans and I am gay. She instead thanked me. Her staff (including some gorgeous guys) were so kind to me. Y’all quit trashing Kay. She is fabulous and whoever replaces her will hate our community more than any of you could ever dream.
@Jellen: Of course she thanked you. She’s a politician. Her “thank you” probably got her a vote (from you) so that she could keep her cushy job. And you don’t have a clue how her replacement is going to feel toward our community, because her replacement has not yet been elected. That statement destroys any credibility you may have had from anyone with at least an average or higher IQ.
@JackJellen,
Come on, Jack, get a clue even if you have to buy one!
KBH is nothing if not a glad-handing shark, smiling through a set of chompers that would make any gunhugging GCB proud. If ‘looking good’ is all you need to vote for Republican, then MItt Romney must be charming your britches off.
@ world. Thanks you for the flattery RE: IQ. I am proud to have served 30 years in the military with 5 recent tours in the Middle East before I retired with my honorable discharge. If looks were all I cared about I would vote in Josh Romney rather than Mitt. My defense and support of Kay Bailey has nothing to do with her high heels, great attire and gorgeous men on staff. It has more to do with her support for ALL Texans, regardless of whom we have in our bedroom, or any other room for that matter. Get a grip folks. You can be proud, gay and vote for Kay. As for her replacement, you are right. I have no clue. I like Leppert and cheered him on during gay pride parade. Cruz sickens me like a gay man in the closet. I am sure Craig got a peek at many in the locker room. This might be a Sadler year, though I am not sure he has much of chance. Maybe the Dew will impress us.