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Grassley offers GOP alternative to VAWA, striking tribal jurisdiction language
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.
“I will offer a substitute that is much more likely to be considered by the other body [the House] and sent on to the president for his signature,” Grassley said.
“That provision raises serious constitutional questions,” Grassley said.
Grassley expressed concern that U.S. citizens living or working on tribal land would be subject to tribal courts if accused of domestic violence or rape and would have no way to appeal the tribal court decisions in the federal court system.
“I cannot in good conscience vote for a bill that violates the Constitution,” Sen. John Cornyn said Thursday. “I will however vote for the alternative from Sen. Grassley.”
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) said Grassely's alternative is not needed because all Native American tribes have adopted the Indian Civil Rights Act, which provides all those under tribal jurisdiction the same rights provided by the Constitution.
The Senate bill also prohibits discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) citizens in grant programs to help victims, and would let some illegal immigrants stay in the country to receive help if they are victims of domestic violence or rape.
Democrats have argued that lawmakers should not pick and chose who gets protections under the law.
“Tribal provisions in this bill need to become law, yet some of my colleagues on the other side are trying to strip that out,” Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) said. “Some members want to debate the rights of their abusers.”
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) said Grassley’s substitute would do more than just change the language on tribal jurisdiction. She said his bill would also add unnecessary provisions to reduce fraud when visas are granted to immigrant women who are abused. Klobuchar said law enforcement officers already have to certify if the immigrant is eligible for the visa.
Democrats removed language that increased the number of visas for abused immigrants in order to make House passage more likely.
Both the House and Senate passed their own versions during the 112th Congress, but neither chamber took up the other's version. The House version didn't include provisions extending protections for victims of domestic violence to Native Americans, LGBT victims and immigrants.
VAWA provides grants to victims of domestic violence in order to encourage victims to leave their abusive situations. Some feel they can’t get away from their abusers because they might not have another form of income, so the grants can provide housing assistance and cellphones for victims. Under this reauthorization bill, these programs would continue for another five years.
Grassley said that his bill would ensure that more money goes to "victims and not bureaucrats" by requiring strict oversight into how the money is spent.
This article was updated at 3:12 p.m.
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