The U. S. Senate Judiciary Committee last week approved the reauthorization of an anti-violence law that for the first time includes protections for LGBT victims.
The committee approved the Violence Against Women Act in a party-line vote Feb. 2. A vote by the full Senate has not yet been scheduled.
The measure was first adopted in 1994 to provide funding to support the investigation and prosecution of violent crimes against women.
This year, the reauthorization bill includes a statement that programs funded cannot discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity, the first federal grant program to do so.
The measure additionally stipulates that funding be directed to programs that particularly work with LGBT victims of domestic violence.
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), who is spearheading the reauthorization of VAWA, said some lawmakers have criticized the bill because it seeks to “protect too many victims.”
“One thing I know from my time as a prosecutor, and I would hope it is something we can all agree on, is that all victims count,” he said. “All victims deserve protection. That is a message we have heard loud and clear from our states and something I hope is common ground.”
Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said the bill is an important step in protecting LGBT victims.
“Victims of domestic violence need assistance, not irrational barriers based on their sexual orientation or gender identity,” he said. “We thank the members of the Judiciary Committee that have recognized the discrimination LGBT domestic-violence victims face when seeking assistance. Specifically, Chairman Leahy has shown great leadership in reauthorizing VAWA and ensuring that the bill would explicitly make grants available to service providers doing innovative work with LGBT victims.”
Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey is one of the 38 cosponsors of the bill.
Sen. Pat Toomey’s office did not return a request for comment by presstime.
While the VAWA has been reauthorized twice in the past with bipartisan support, last week marked the first Judiciary Committee vote on the measure that saw no backing from Republicans.
Jen Colletta can be reached at [email protected].