In one of his first major actions as a new member of the 113th Congress, Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, voted against S.47, a bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, on Thursday.

Mullin was one of 138 Republicans who voted against VAWA. He hasn't explained his position but many Republicans have expressed concerns about provisions to recognize tribal jurisdiction over non-Indians who commit domestic violence offenses on reservations.

On the other hand, Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma), a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, voted for VAWA. He supported the tribal jurisdiction provisions.

"Tribal authorities will finally have the same ability to police and protect their land that all other local jurisdictions already enjoy," Cole said in a press release.

Cole also bucked his party and voted against the GOP version of the bill. He was one of 60 Republicans who helped clear the way for the Senate version of VAWA, the more favorable one for tribal interests.

Mullin and Cole are the only enrolled tribal members in the House.

Get the Story:
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