Violence Against Women Act takes center stage

[ProSense]

Violence Against Women Act takes center stage

By Steve Benen

We first began reporting two months ago on the legislative fight surrounding the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which has traditionally enjoyed bipartisan support. This year's effort has drawn Republican opposition, however, because the bill includes provisions to bolster LGBT protections, defenses for victims of domestic abuse who are undocumented immigrants, and expand the authority of Native American tribes to prosecute crimes.

In previous years, VAWA sailed through the Senate with nary a discouraging word. This year, when the Senate Judiciary Committee took up the bill, literally every Republican on the committee voted against the bipartisan bill.

To put it mildly, Democrats aren't backing down on this. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) held a press conference yesterday to condemn Republican efforts to delay the bill; Attorney General Eric Holder said yesterday he finds it "inconceivable" that the bill has been held up; and Vice President Biden, who helped write the bill in 1994, delivered impassioned remarks on the subject yesterday.

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And what does the presumptive Republican presidential nominee think of the bill? I'm glad you asked.

In 2004, reporters asked Mitt Romney during his first presidential campaign whether or not he supports the Violence Against Women Act. At the time, he said he wasn't "familiar" with the law and didn't have a position.

This year, Romney is familiar with it, but is afraid to take a firm stand.

Andrea Saul, a spokeswoman for Mr. Romney, said in an e-mail, "Gov. Romney supports the Violence Against Women Act and hopes it can be reauthorized without turning it into a political football." But she declined to specify which version he supported.

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http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/19/11285117-violence-against-women-act-takes-center-stage

[JustAnotherGen]

1. My heart will be broken

If this doesn't pass. I was an intern to a Congress woman in 1994 when this passed - and did leg work on it. It cannot go away. When I caught a 'bunny boiling man' after 3 dates in 2004 - this law gave the authorities the ability to stop him in his tracks. It cannot go away - and truthfully? Having a female friend whose GIRLfriend was abusive? It MUST be extended to all women.

[ProSense]

2. Everyone should listen to Biden's excellent speech. n/t

[HockeyMom]

3. They applied it in NY to my lesbian daughter's abusive partner

The police cited it and told her it made no difference that it was a gay situation. That is how it should be. I suppose these Repukes think it should only apply to married straight women??????

[SlimJimmy]

4. I think the sticking point is the part I excerpted. Although not widely reported, the

U Visa, which would be granted in these cases, would not only allow the victim to gain legal status for up to 4 years, but also most of their extended family. I'm wondering why this is being added at this time? Why not reauthorize this valuable law, but without the contentious additions?

The purpose of the U visa is give victims of certain crimes temporary legal status and work eligibility in the United States for up to 4 years. The U visa is a nonimmigrant visa and only 10,000 U visas may be issued every fiscal year. Family members may also be included on the petition including spouses, children, unmarried sisters and brothers under 18, mothers, fathers, as well as stepparents and adoptive parents. An approved U visa petition will automatically grant the applicant work eligibility in the United States. An Employment Authorization Document will be included with all approved petitions, which can be shown to any employer to obtain a Social Security Number to start work legally. Currently all U visa applications are filed at the Vermont Service Center.

http://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/visa-u.html