Call to Action

Work Still to be Done before Monday Vote on Violence Against Women Act

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Challenges. Discussion »

WASHINGTON – The US Senate is set to vote on the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization, known as S.47, on Monday early evening or Tuesday morning.

US Senate Reauthorization Vote – Monday

S. 47, the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization, is a strong, bipartisan bill sponsored by Senators Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, and Michael Crapo, R-Idaho. S. 47 is very similar to the bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Leahy and Crapo last Congress and would improve VAWA programs and strengthen protections for all victims of violence.

The bill includes historically important tribal provisions that would enable tribes to address domestic violence in Indian country. Votes on the bill were started yesterday, and are expected to be completed early next week, probably Monday early evening and Tuesday.

Currently, S. 47 contains key provisions that would restore tribal jurisdiction over non-Indians for certain acts of domestic violence and dating violence, as well as for violations of protection orders, in Indian country.

Some version of S. 47 is expected to pass. However, Senator Tom Corburn, R-Oklahoma, has proposed an amendment that would strip the tribal provisions from the legislation, and this amendment is scheduled for a vote.

This is a critical vote that will show the strength of support for tribes.

In anticipation of the impending votes, the National Congress of American Indians urges you to take action this weekend and first thing Monday by contacting your United States senators to vote against any further harmful amendments and vote for the overall bill!

Action to be Taken: Email or Call Your Senators

Email - Find you Senator on this list and contact them by email. Send them a simple message.

“Dear Senator, Monday is an important day, you'll have a chance to protect all women, including Native women. It's time to be a hero and pass a comprehensive VAWA - S.47 - including the tribal provisions and I urge you to vote NO on the Coburn Amendment. I urge you to support the Murkowski and Leahy Amendments.”

Call On Monday, call the Capitol switchboard at 202.224.3121 and ask the operator to connect you to your Senators. When you're connected to their offices, ask to speak to the staff person who handles VAWA. Tell them the same thing you wrote in your email over the weekend.

“Today is an important day, the Senator has the chance to protect all women, including Native women. It's time to be a hero and pass a comprehensive VAWA - S.47 - including the tribal provisions and I urge the Senator to vote NO on the Coburn Amendment. I urge you to support the Murkowski and Leahy Amendments.”

posted February 9, 2013 10:40 am est