Monday: Senate takes up VAWA, may finish Tuesday

The Senate meets at 2 p.m. and will resume work on the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, S. 47.

Senators reached an agreement last week to consider up to seven amendments to this bill. They have already rejected one amendment from Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), which would have rewritten language giving Indian tribes jurisdiction over non-Indians in certain domestic abuse cases.

Six amendments remain, some of which should get a vote today, although Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) hinted that some may get votes Tuesday. The amendments are from:

— Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), authorizing spending to broaden efforts to stop human trafficking under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act through 2017;

— Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), clarifying that child victims of sex trafficking can receive services under the bill;

— Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), giving Indian courts the authority to enforce civil restraining orders against abusers; and

— Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), who has three amendments. They would remove language allowing tribal courts to have jurisdiction over non-Indians who commit a domestic violence crime, eliminate duplicative programs in the Department of Justice, and allow for the testing of assailants for sexually transmitted diseases.

The House is not in Monday, but returns Tuesday for work on suspension bills and to attend President Obama's State of the Union address.

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