Senate Reauthorizes Violence Against Women Act

With broad bipartisan support, the Senate reauthorized the long-delayed Violence Against Women Act this week.

The 78-to-22 vote moves forward legislation to revamp domestic violence programs, as well as extend the law's protections to the LGBT community and Native Americans.

Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.), who delivered the Republican response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address, voted against the bill. He was joined by his fellow Republicans John Barrasso (Wyo.), Roy Blunt (Mo.), John Boozman (Ark.), Tom Coburn (Okla.), John Cornyn (Texas), Ted Cruz (Texas), Mike Enzi (Wyo.), Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Chuck Grassley (Iowa), Orrin Hatch (Utah), James Inhofe (Okla.), Mike Johanns (Neb.), Ron Johnson (Wisc.), Mike Lee (Utah), Mitch McConnell (Ky.), Rand Paul (Ky.), Jim Risch (Idaho), Pat Roberts (Kansas), Jeff Sessions (Ala.), John Thune (S.D.) and Tim Scott (S.C.).

The bill's future in the GOP-dominated House remains uncertain. Last year, the House passed its own version of the legislation and refused to consider the Senate's bill.