President Barack Obama is once again backing provisions to recognize tribal jurisdiction over non-Indians who commit domestic violence crimes on reservations.

The White House Office of Management and Budget sent out a statement of administration policy on Monday in favor of S.47, a bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.

"Rates of domestic violence against Native American women are now among the highest in the United States. The bill builds on the Tribal Law and Order Act – which President Obama signed on July 29, 2010 – to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of tribal justice systems and also recognizes tribal authorities with respect to domestic violence in Indian country," the SAP read.

A bill with similar provisions cleared the Senate last year. S.47 is poised to pass once again, possibly by the end of this week.

But Republican leaders in the House do not support tribal jurisdiction over non-Indians.

Get the Story:
Senate ready for new attempt to extend and expand the scope of Violence Against Women Act (AP 2/4)
Violence Act Returns in Test of Republicans’ Appeal to Women (The New York Times 2/5)

Related Stories:
Opinion: The Violence Against Women Act is on life support (01/28)
Matt Remle: Violence against women, violence against earth (1/25)
Haley Elkins: Media goes silent on the failure to pass VAWA (1/24)
NCAI calls on Congress to pass Violence Against Women Act (01/24)