The Violence Against Women Act; Is the Wellbeing of Thousands of Women No More Than A Political “Cheap Shot”?

             The U.S. Senate passed a revised version of the Violence Against Women Act Thursday, April 26, commencing the latest stage of a Congressional battle between Democrats and Republicans that is sure to be a factor of this year’s election season.  Although Republicans have introduced their own versions of the bill, which are largely the same as the original, the Democrat’s version would expand protections to cover illegal immigrant, lesbian, transgender, and Native American women.  Although the Democrat’s version passed the Senate by 68 votes, 31 Republicans voted against it, and one Republican chose not to vote.  This impasse between the two parties is now expected to persist to the House, where this bill may have a rough time making it through.

Many Republicans have argued that the Democrat’s version is merely a political ploy, designed to feed the growing accusations of a war on women.  By putting in provisions that they know no Republican will vote for, Conservatives say that Democrats are trying to corner them into making a politically disastrous move.  This is part of the reason that Republicans proposed their own versions of the bill, so as to try and diffuse this effect.

            In the words of Rep. Kristi Noem: “Unfortunately in Congress, there are some who’d like to make this a political play. They’d like to make cheap shots and try to politicize it in an election year.”

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers also said that “House Republicans are committed to protecting the true victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.”

            However, the question must be asked as to why they would not want to protect these women too.  Are their lives and wellbeing less valuable, and is their pain any less real?  Do they not count as “true” victims?  Is their wellbeing no more than a political “cheap shot”?  Although there are other differences between the various versions of the bill, this seems to be the leading point of contention.

            I would like to think that there is a grand justification behind the opposition, yet it seems that some may be against this bill for no other reason than because it would help people that they do not like.  However, why should we discriminate?  If someone was hurt, and there is a program out there that could help them, who has the right to pick and choose which “kinds of people” are eligible?  It is disgusting enough that some people would think it morally permissible to deny service to a woman based on her sexual orientation, but so too is it wrong to suppose that we can deny care to Native Americans or illegal immigrants.  Either way, if an injustice has taken place on our soil, it is our job to avenge it, and to help those who have suffered.

            The same argument exists for medical care.  Some say that illegal immigrants should not be able to use our healthcare system.  Yet, would we as a nation be prepared to stand by and watch people die just because they don’t happen to be a legal citizen?  Would any of us be proud to say that we are a citizen of such a country?  Most likely, no.  We can proudly say that we live in a country where anyone, even if they are illegal or unable to pay, has the ability to enter an emergency room and receive care.  In this country, we don’t allow people to die on the hospital floor just because they don’t happen to meet some predetermined “criteria”.  We are better than that.

Extending the protections and services granted by the VAWA to all women, no matter their sexual orientation or legal status, will help thousands.  Also, in addition to the aid given to women who have been abused, resources would be used to fund investigations and ensure that there are fewer criminals on the street who are able to go on and hurt other women and, possibly, their children.  Overall, the more women that can be helped, the better our country will be.

It is time to look past hatred and to step around the roadblocks of partisan politics.  Some issues are too important for us to neglect them based on fringe political ideals.  Reform needs to happen, and this is but one example of a place where our government can make a difference in the lives of thousands, many of them already disadvantaged.

I would like to congratulate the fifteen Republican Senators who sided with Democrats on this most important issue.  Their ability to make the right decision, regardless of arbitrary party lines, is commendable.  Let us hope that more people will be able to do the same as this bill makes its way to the House.

Please take time to contact your local representative and tell them why you think they should vote to pass this bill.  Show them why you believe that America can, and should, protect all women from abuse.

Perhaps, together, we can work to make a difference.