The U.S. House of Representatives just passed VAWA also known as the Violence Against Women Act.
The bill will now go directly to President Obama for signature.
Senate Republicans drug their feet holding up the bill. The Senate GOPers had a problem with protecting native American Women, Undocumented Immigrant Women and Same Sex partners. Although it passed the House, 138 House Republicans voted against it.
In the Senate 22 Republicans voted against it with an overwhelming 78 Senators in favor.
Are Republicans really comfortable with being labeled as anti-Immigrant, anti-Woman, anti-Native American, anti-Children, anti-Seniors, anti-Gay and anti-Middle Class? The real problem is that they aren't just being labeled as such, but, by and through their actions they're firmly confirming that the aforementioned labels fit.
Unfortunately the amount allotted for VAWA was 17 percent less than the last time it was reauthorized in 2005. That means less programs to help women who are victims of domestic violence, less shelters, less victims advocates, less educational programs, less resources in general for these women who are victims of abusive partners.
All I can say is shame on the Republicans. They've shown us that they truly don't care about women affected by violence. It hurts deep down to know that we live in an America that is so embroiled in politics that we are willing to let women go unprotected and without resources just to make a political point.
Can you imagine how much it must hurt the actual battered women who have been in dire need of these resources?
Carlos E. Galindo is a radio talk show host & political analyst conducting radio shows in both English and Spanish on four radio stations in Arizona. Mr. Galindo is a weekly contributor to KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles and has appeared on CNN, Univision and Telemundo as a political analyst. Mr. Galindo is also an Op-Ed columnist on Prensa Hispana Arizona. Carlos Galindo is a founding member and President of the Immigrant Advocacy Foundation, Inc.
http://www.carlosgalindo.com