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The Senate approved two bipartisan amendments to the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) that would help protect victims of human trafficking.

Sen. Patrick Leahy’s (D-Vt.) amendment passed on a 93-5 vote and would reauthorize appropriations for fiscal years 2014 through 2017 for the Trafficking Victims Protection Act to combat human trafficking. Leahy and the amendment’s co-sponsor, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), said the bill includes accountability measures to make sure the funds are being spent wisely and also streamlines programs to help victims.

The Senate rejected an amendment Monday that would have removed a provision in the reauthorization to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to give Native American tribes jurisdiction over non-tribal members that commit assaults against Native Americans.

The amendment offered by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) failed on a 31-59 vote. It would have removed a controversial section of the reauthorization bill, which gives tribal courts jurisdiction over non-Native Americans who commit a domestic violence crime or rape on tribal land or against a Native American. 

The Senate rejected a GOP substitute to the Violence Against Women Act on Thursday.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) proposed an amendment to S. 47 that would have addressed his concerns about violations to constitutional rights and wasteful spending. His substitute failed on a 34-65 vote.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has introduced a Republican substitute to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization that is currently being considered by the Senate.

Grassley said Thursday that his alternative was needed because S. 47 could violate constitutional rights.

Vice President Biden swore in William Cowan (D-Mass.), to replace former Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) in the Senate on Thursday.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Thursday that he would hold House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) to his word that the House will take up the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization.

“I say to Leader Cantor, it’s time for Republican leaders to stop talking about how much they care about women and show that they care about women,” Reid said on the floor Thursday. “I won’t be the only one holding him to his promise to swiftly reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. One hundred sixty million American women are also watching and waiting to see if he turns words into action."

Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) said President Obama is shutting out the American people by holding “secret” meetings with special interest groups on immigration reform.

“Once again, our leaders are meeting in secret with narrow special interests to decide the fate of our immigration system while everyday working Americans are shut out,” Sessions said Tuesday.

Four Senate Democrats called on their colleagues Tuesday to help them seek due process and human rights guarantees during debate on immigration reform.

Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) sent a letter to members of their chamber Tuesday saying the immigration legislation the Senate will likely consider during the 113th Congress should reflect American values by addressing human rights and ensure due process.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) introduced a bill Monday that would require colleges and universities to have anti-harassment policies.

“The tragic impact of bullying on college campuses has damaged too many young adults, and it is time for our colleges to put policies on the books that would protect students from harassment,” Lautenberg said Monday. “While there is no way to eliminate the cruelty that some students choose to inflict on their peers, there should be a clear code of conduct that prohibits harassment.”

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) requested Monday that the Department of Interior (DOI) release a timeline of when repairs will be made to the Statue of Liberty after it was damaged more than three months ago during Hurricane Sandy.

Schumer wants to know when the monument, located in New York, would reopen, because it is a major tourist destination for his state.

“The Statue of Liberty is still shuttered more than three months after Sandy struck the city and tourists, businesses and all New Yorkers need to know that the end is in sight," Schumer said Monday. "As an enduring symbol of our nation and our city, Lady Liberty cannot be allowed to languish any longer than necessary.”