Violence Against Women Renewal Act – At An Impasse In Senate

Senator Dianne Feinstein’s attempt to bring renewal of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to a vote before the end of the year hit a GOP roadblock in the form of Sen. Joni Ernst.  After months of negotiations, Sen. Ernst ended discussions on the bill.  Undaunted, Sen. Feinstein introduced S.2843,[1] https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/2843 the companion bill to HR1585,[2]https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/2843 that passed the House in November with bipartisan support, 263-158.

Not to be outdone, Sen. Ernst introduced her own bill which falls far short of meaningful protection for victims of domestic violence.  The following is an excerpt from her email:   “Senator Joni K. Ernst” <Senator@Ernst.senate.gov>; November 22, 2019 3:59 PM:  “ As a survivor of sexual assault and domestic violence, reauthorizing and modernizing VAWA is not only urgent and critical to me, but it’s personal.”  Really?  How can she profess to be a domestic violence/sexual assault survivor and still propose a bill that keeps guns in the hands of  people who have been convicted of domestic violence, and prevents women, children, and domestic partners with few or no resources from finding sanctuary when their safety, and often their lives, are at stake?

The GOP’s primary objections to Sen. Feinstein’s bill, S.2843, were gun ownership restrictions for those convicted (not just accused) of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, as well as provisions that expand rights for Native and transgender individuals.   Accusing Democrats of playing politics, Sen. Ernst ended discussions, saying she saw no reason to “…introduce a piece of legislation that would not make it through this body?” [3]https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/471386-gop-senator-blocks-vote-on-house-passed-violence-against-women-act?amp&fbclid=IwAR2kjDOCbVmi6PefFt_zo0YcPJb5CYchSJPgevi8oSNAjLqaXWTUppd4uHM   

Following the NRA’s dictates, Sen. Ernst, without input from abuse survivors, introduced her own bill, S. 2920. Although her bill is missing a number of key provisions for providing very real protection for victims of domestic violence, Joni has protected her good standing with the NRA, and by extension their continued financial support.  To give credit where credit is due, it is worth noting that Sen. Ernst’s bill doesn’t seem to have wide-spread support from her Republican colleagues.

Senate Bill – S.2920 significantly reduces access to safety and protection provisions against domestic violence.  Ignoring statistics [4]https://ncadv.org/statistics, Sen. Ernst demonstrates a total disregard for the danger and life-threatening consequences of firearms in the hands of domestic abusers.  There is a glaring absence any recognition that our nation’s gun violence epidemic threatens the safety of survivors, their families, and the community at large.  In addition, she has turned her back on Native Americans and LGBTQ individuals.  [5]https://www.huffpost.com/entry/violence-against-women-act-senate-republicans-tribes_n_5de9572be4b0d50f32b0a139  Other obvious omissions that undermine the Violence Against Women Renewal Act ( S2843, introduced by Sen. Feinstein) are, at this writing, the reduction or elimination of: 

  • Emergency transfer protections; [6]https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/mfh/violence_against_women_act
  • Vouchers to facilitate immediate relocations of survivors in danger;
  • Current LGBTQ nondiscrimination provisions;
  • Protections for Native Survivors, including reauthorization of provisions added in the 2013 renewal, giving Native tribes jurisdiction to prosecute non-Native men who abuse Native women on tribal lands;
  • Protections for LGBTQ survivors, including expanded rights for trans individuals;
  • Federal response to nuisance ordinances;
  • Assistance in addressing under-served populations in:

Although Sen. Ernst’s bill would increase investments in some support services grant programs, they are made by eliminating protections that promote access to justice and safety for survivors and their families. Unfortunately, as so often happens, the full force of the proposed rollbacks and omissions would fall hardest on those who have the least and need help the most.

First passed in 1994 and reauthorized in 2000, 2005 and 2013, the Violence Against Women Act has changed the lives of victims who once suffered in silence.  Things do not look good for any Senate action on VAWA.  Now is the time for anti-violence advocates to tell Senators Ernst and Grassley to support  S.2843.

Sources for further reading.

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