Violence Against Women Act - Protection Should Not be a Political Game. And Isn't it Time We Recognize that Love is Not a Privilege Reserved Solely for Heterosexuals?

Great Britain -- On Tuesday, the House of Commons voted 400 to 175 to approve same sex marriage.  The bill now goes to the House of Lords, where there may be delaying tactics, but is still expected to pass.  Prime Minister David Cameron said he hopes to sign the bill into law by this Summer.

The Pentagon --  Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is planning to give same sex married couples access to military housing.  The non-military spouse will also get a military ID that can be used for access to the commissary and all base activities.  A same sex spouse and family will be given consideration when duty locations are assigned.

Congress -- In 2012, a renewal of the 1994 Violence Against Women Act failed when Republicans in the House refused to approve the addition of protection for same sex victims of abuse in the bill.  The Senate had already approved the renewal, but the House wrote their own version editing out any reference to same sex partners.  John Boehner refused to allow a vote on the Senate version because it looked as though it would pass, but not with a Republican majority supporting it. 

On Monday, the Senate once again voted to renew the VAWA and again included the same sex provision.  The vote was 85-8, indicating overwhelming bipartisan support.  Last year's provision to allow more visas for illegals who are victims of domestic abuse was pulled because, even though its cost would have been small, Republicans balked, sighting that the Constitution states all tax measures must originate in the House. (Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) said he will include that provision in his immigration bill later this year.)  Another provision that would allow Native American courts to prosecute non-Indians who are charged with rape or domestic violence while on reservation land was also included in the 2013 Senate bill.

what eye thynk:   Once again, Congress is treating this issue like a game where winning is everything.  The ball is currently in the House's court where Republicans are still balking over the inclusion of protection for same sex partners and the Native American court provision.
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First, the Native American provision -- House Republicans are now hiding behind the excuse that they question the legality of expanding the reach of Native American courts.  Well, here's an easy answer to that...if its not legal, make it legal.  You're in Washington to help write laws, so write one that covers this question.  Problem solved.

As for the same sex abuse question, it should be a no-brainer for anyone with a modicum of common sense or compassion--which lately seems to exclude a large number of Republicans.  Senate Republicans gave overwhelming support to the renewal of this bill.  Why can’t the House reach a like agreement?  Do they drink different Kool-Aid on the other side of Congress?  Or is it just another case of John Boehner refusing to allow a vote to be taken on any issue that doesn’t have the support of the majority of Republicans?  His fear of appearing weak in the eyes of the far right is creating a leadership vacuum at the top of the House pyramid.  Is it a similar fear that is keeping moderate House Republicans from questioning Mr. Boehner’s obedience to the far right‘s our-way-or-no-way method of governing? 

As Senator Patty Murray (D-Washington) said earlier this week, “The ultimate fate of the VAWA…lays squarely on the shoulders of Eric Cantor and John Boehner.  They can either give in to the extreme voices of their caucus or they can stand with Democrats, moderate Republicans, and the many millions of Americans who believe there is no reason this critical bill should be put on the back burner.”  

Yes, there are those who argue against same sex protection or any protection at all for that matter, just as there was and is in the Senate.  The Koch brothers funded Independent Women's Forum has spoken out against the VAWA calling it a "waste of money".  And Doug Heye, spokesman for Eric Cantor, is still insisting that Democrats are "more interested in using this as a political issue against Republicans than in finding a solution to the issues".  

But Senate Republicans were able to look beyond those arguments to the core of the question which is simple and equal fairness.  Mr Heye and his handlers remain blind to the fact that the Senate, with overwhelming bipartisan support has already found the solution--every victim of domestic violence should be protected, not just the ones conservative members of the House deem worthy.

Senator Susan Collins (R- Maine) all but begged her fellow Republicans in the House to move forward on the VAWA. "This is not and never should be a partisan political issue.  This is an equal-opportunity crime that harms people regardless of their political affiliation, their profession or their status in life.  It's an issue that deserves bipartisan support.”

Your serve, Mr. Speaker.