On the basis that it is ok to commit violence and rape on some women, but not others, 22 Senators felt justified in voting no on the Violence Against Women Act (the Act passed with 78 yea votes). With 25 of the GOP voting for the Act I would say this is bipartisan support. The ball is now in the house's court.
Marco Rubio is among the no voters. I would say that puts paid to any blather the GOP has to say to immigrants and those who are in need of documentation. One of the most contentious issues of the bill is that the updated version grants additional protections to immigrants which would encourage undocumented women to report assaults done to them.
Another issue some of the gang of 22 are hiding behind is that they object to the updated VAWA extending protections to LGBT and Native Americans.
The spending/grant provisions of the bill may have had something to do with the no votes.
The Senate bill also prohibits discrimination against LGBT victims in grant programs to help victims, and would let illegal immigrants stay in the country to receive help if they are victims of domestic violence or rape.The Senate hasn't updated Thomas yet, but the vote will show on this page soon.VAWA provides grants to victims of domestic violence in order to encourage victims to leave their abusive situations. Some feel they can’t get away from their abusers because they might not have another form of family income, so the grants can provide housing assistance and cellphones for victims. Under this reauthorization bill, these programs would continue for another five years.
I guess to sum it up these Senators believe some woman warrant more protections than others.
Reprehensible.