Opinion

Levi Rickert: Calling out 3 Republicans for voting against VAWA





Levi Rickert, the editor-in-chief of the Native News Network, calls out three Republicans who voted against S.47, a bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act -- Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa):
With the passage of Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, S.47, more commonly known as VAWA. that contained added tribal provisions that are critical in Indian country for justice for Native women - who are our grandmothers, mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts and cousins - those in Congress who voted in favor should be congratulated on their votes to right a wrong that has existed far too long.

After much hard work, the bill was passed in the US Senate by a vote of 78 to 22. It passed the US House by a 286 to 138 vote. President Obama has said he will sign the legislation into law upon receiving it.

While those in Congress who voted in favor of VAWA should be congratulated, on the other hand, those in Congress who voted against the Violence Against Women Act deserve to be called out for their votes that make them appear insensitive to women across America - and especially Native women.

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Levi Rickert: Calling Out Three in Congress for their NO Votes on VAWA: Mullins, Barrasso and Grassley (Native News Network 3/2)

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