Senate Democrats tell Speaker Boehner to adopt their domestic violence bill

“I have a simply, straightforward message for House … stop the games and pass the Senate bill,” Murray said on the floor Tuesday. “The speaker needs to take it up. The women of this country are watching and waiting.”

{mosads}The Senate reauthorization of VAWA got 68 votes — 15 votes from Republicans — three months ago. The House passed their own version shortly after that, but with little support from Democrats.

Democrats’ main complaint about the House Republicans’ version is that it wouldn’t protect same-sex couples, Native American and undocumented immigrant women from domestic abuse. Both Murray and Boxer said that everyday the House doesn’t pass the Senate version, women are being left unprotected and being killed.

“Thirty million [people] are left out of the House Violence Against Women’s Act,” Boxer said. “Everyday three women are killed by their abusive partners.”

The Senate version, S. 1925, would protect undocumented immigrant women from being deported if they came forward and reported abuse. It also allowed tribal governments to violators accountable for their crimes. The Republican VAWA left out protections and benefits for same sex couples.

“Where a person lives, or their immigrations status, or who they love should not determine if they are protected from domestic violence,” Murray said.