Violence Against Women Act expires, House GOP takes the blame

http://twitter.com/#!/Kirsten_ish/status/286618923581980672

If you were feeling nostalgic for the good old days of 2012 and the never-ending cries of the GOP’s “War on Women,” good news! While Congress managed to put together an abomination of a fiscal cliff deal and avert the “milk cliff” with a temporary farm bill extension, legislators let 1994’s Violence Against Women Act expire. Since the House GOP is being blamed for everything else, why not take the fall here as well? Obviously, Republican representatives hate women and are pro-rape, right?

GOP stops Violence Against Women Act because they don’t want Native Americans #Immigrants or #LGBT protected? WHAT? #VAWA

— Pauley Perrette (@PauleyP) January 2, 2013

#Outrageous >> House GOP obstruction kills 18-year-old Violence Against Women Act. #VAWA #WarOnWomen

— Lara (@lawalker13) January 3, 2013

I am sincerely losing faith in the US government. Unbelievable news about #VAWA. I cannot for one moment comprehend why this law is partisan

— Angelica G. (@AGDitta) January 3, 2013

The only logical conclusion to draw is that there are several mentally ill reps in DC. How else to explain lack of common decency? #VAWA

— Ndelible (@Ndelible) January 3, 2013

Maybe it’s time for President Obama to just start ignoring the regressive radical rightwing Congress altogether. Re: #VAWA #p2 #tcot

— Mason Becker (@Mason3K) January 3, 2013

#VAWA shot down, but women matter so little that this doesn’t make breaking news on Google or the NY Times.

— Sara Paretsky (@Sara1982P) January 3, 2013

Dear GOP: If you are against #VAWA we can assume you are for #VAW. That simple.

— Herman Cain’s Hat (@HermanCainsHat) January 3, 2013

@morningmika @joenbc today #vawa gop let go by waist side women in pa killed by boyfriend ovr abuse – gop has blood on hands shame

— lovelyladypa (@lovelyladypa) January 3, 2013

Blocking the funding for #VAWA is a disgrace. We need MORE funding. And now we have an expired bill and a GOP that is bat****. Jesus.

— Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) January 3, 2013

Maybe we’re all asking to be raped some more, eh, ladies? Once wasn’t enough. #VAWA #americafail

— Elizabeth Amber (@elizabethamber) January 2, 2013

and they are not going to put #VAWA to a vote either!#HouseGOPlosers

— Jennifer Marie (@jennifermdavis) January 2, 2013

#USA: House Republicans’ objection to Violence Against Women Act? It covered all women…you know…even the brown and gay kind. #VAWA

— Ms. Entropy (@MsEntropy) January 2, 2013

If feminists & progressives cave & agree not to include #VAWA protections for Native, LGBT, & undocumented folks, we’re just as bad as GOP.

— ShelbyKnox (@ShelbyKnox) January 2, 2013

I think Patty Murray should be allowed to punch GOP House members in the junk at random until the #VAWA gets passed. #p2

— Jason Karsh (@jkarsh) January 2, 2013

#Boehner & #GOP negligence allowed the critical #VAWA expire, this is immoral & should be criminal #WaronWomen

— Marshall (@MarshallSbar) January 3, 2013

#VAWA has expired. @speakerboehner, this affects me directly. From where I sit in the cross hairs, this sure looks like a #WarOnWomen

— Catherine (@Birdmischief) January 3, 2013

Many consider the VAWA to be “bipartisan” legislation that should have no problem being renewed. So while many blame the House GOP for suddenly blocking legislation that the Senate passed in April, they fail to note that the House passed its own version of the bill in May. Among the points of contention between the bills were expanded protections for green card holders, which some feared could be abused by immigrants to obtain visas. The Senate version would also expand the jurisdiction of Native American courts, allowing tribal courts to prosecute non-Native Americans.

Just curious, @stevebenen: Why not mention in your whole post on VAWA that R’s passed a 5 year extension in MAY? maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/01/…

— AG (@AG_Conservative) January 2, 2013

@ag_conservativeAnswer 1: because @stevebenen is a hack. Answer 2: he might not have even known that because see Answer 1.

— Gabriel Malor (@gabrielmalor) January 2, 2013

@ag_conservative That’s simply not convenient to the agenda, AG.You’re asking quite a lot – like integrity and honesty.Shame on you.

— GoldenEagle (@GoldenEagle) January 2, 2013

@ag_conservative @stevebenen Because it doesn’t fit narrative that evil white GOP like to rape and beat women.Lie enough & people retweet.

— TheRealMG (@Shaqfuey) January 2, 2013

With Congress managing to leave so much undone in 2012, it doesn’t take a war on women to explain how the VAWA fell through the cracks. Congress will almost certainly take up the bill in the next session, and programs that receive money from the VAWA will continue to be funded through March. That doesn’t keep the House GOP from shouldering the blame for keeping the war on women going into the new year, though. Will Republicans manage to get a handle on the “war on women” meme before 2016? Could they start now?

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2013/01/02/violence-against-women-act-expires-house-gop-takes-the-blame/