"The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), created to protect women from domestic and sexual violence, has flown through periodic reauthorizations in both houses with bi-partisan support since its creation in 1994.

Sadly, not this year -- yet.

Before recessing in August, and largely off the public's radar, the Republican-controlled House passed a watered-down version that rejects protections for undocumented immigrants, American Indians, LGBT individuals and college students. These groups experience disproportionately high rates of violence.

Suzanne Koepplinger, executive director of the Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center, is understandably offended by the implication that only certain women "deserve" protections.

One in three American Indian women will be raped in her lifetime, according to Amnesty International, the highest rate for any group. "It is an epidemic of violence," Koepplinger said, "which makes Congress' inaction all the more inexcusable.""

Get the Story:
Gail Rosenblum: Minnesota agencies rely on anti-violence act that's in limbo (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 9/11)

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Editorial: Prosecute non-Indian offenders in federal system (8/21)
Sen. Murray still pushing for tribal jurisdiction provision in VAWA (8/15)
Impasse continues on renewal of Violence Against Women Act (07/31)
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