Controversy over the Violence Against Women Act

As Democrats push to reinstate the 1994 Violence Against Women Act, Republicans argue that the introduction of the measure comes at a very convenient time.  As the New York Times reports, “The legislation would continue existing grant programs to local law enforcement and battered women shelters, but would expand efforts to reach Indian tribes and rural areas. It would increase the availability of free legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, extend the definition of violence against women to include stalking, and provide training for civil and criminal court personnel to deal with families with a history of violence. It would also allow more battered illegal immigrants to claim temporary visas, and would include same-sex couples in programs for domestic violence. ” Republicans, however, argue that the expansion of whom the measure protects weakens the protection of the originally intended beneficiaries. Moreover, contend conservatives, Democrats have chosen a politically charged moment to push the Violence Against Women Agenda -having just suffered in the contraception debate.