National News

U.S. House passes Violence Against Women Act

Posted: Feb 28, 2013 3:13 PM by MTN News

WASHINGTON D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill today that reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act.

The bill, passed by the Senate earlier, also secures tribal jurisdiction over non-Indians for prosecutorial powers in cases of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Montana Congressman Steve Daines voted in favor of the bill. He announced his support of the legislation this morning during a meeting of the Coalition of Large Tribes, which he attended as a guest of Crow Tribe Chief Darrin Old Coyote.

"I will be voting in support of the Senate's version of the Violence Against Women Act," Daines said. "I understand as a dad the importance of protecting those who are most vulnerable."

"I stand with you on principle that we must protect and be a voice for the most vulnerable members of our society. We must fight for all of the victims of domestic violence," said Daines.

Montana is home to seven federally recognized Indian reservations and the state-recognized Little Shell Tribe.

Daines serves as a member of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian Affairs.

President Obama says he will sign the law that expands protection to gays, lesbians and transgender people, Native Americans and immigrants.

Eighty seven House Republicans joined with 199 Democrats to pass the bill.

Previously, the measure easily passed the Senate but had stalled in the House.