Biden thumps GOP over Violence Against Women Act
Washington (CNN) - Vice President Joe Biden targeted House Republicans on Friday in the fight to renew the normally-bipartisan Violence Against Woman Act.
Speaking at the Young Women's Christian Association conference in Washington, Biden accused the GOP of "scheming" in its opposition to the bill, trying to find a way to cut down the law without losing points with women voters.
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"The other team, the other boy, other folks in Congress. This is not your father's Republican Party," Biden said to about 400 women in the audience. "The other team is taking on virtually every one of the initiatives you and I fought so hard to establish."
Biden initially co-authored the bill as a senator before it became law in 1994. The most recent version up for reauthorization expands the law's funding and protections for same-sex couples, immigrants and tribal communities.
Congressional Republicans, however, argue the new additions have been injected by Democrats hoping to pass legislation under the cloak of domestic violence issues.
"I regret there are competing versions," Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Arizona, said in late April. "Especially since I believe all of us support (the) current law."
Given the title of the act and the political risk associated with opposing it, Senate Republicans reluctantly backed down in their fight against the bill. It passed the Senate by a 68-31 vote last week and now heads to the House Judiciary Committee for a vote on Tuesday.
But House Republicans have said they're drafting a version that excludes some of the Democratic-backed provisions in the Senate version, a move likely to stir more controversy.
While Biden applauded the Senate for renewing the law, he pleaded with House Republicans to do the same.
"We shouldn't even be having the debate," the vice president said, arguing that VAWA typically passes re-authorization with ease. "If it's based on results, why are we even talking about this?"
The VAWA uproar represents the latest marker in what's become an ugly battle over the women's' vote this election year.
While Democrats have been eager to paint the GOP as anti-women," Republicans, notably its presumptive presidential nominee Mitt Romney, have repeatedly faulted President Barack Obama for major job losses among women since he took office.
- CNN Senior Congressional Producer Ted Barrett contributed to this report.
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GE's CEO Immelt is an Obama supporter and advisor and they have sent tens of thousands of high paying jobs (IT, etc.) to India and elesewhere. Then there is Apple, Microsoft, and who knows how many of Warren Buffet's companies.
Yes, even liberals will do what they have to do to make money and survive. I guess that makes them evil capitalists too right? But do you want to pay $3,000 for an iPhone completely manufacturered and assembled in the USA by union labor?
I think the GOP would have been a bit more okay with this bill had it not tried to include gay couples and possible illegals. We all know that women should not be living with women and those that choose that lifestyle DESERVE to be beatup as do illegals that should not be here anyway. THIS America is your NEW Republican Party at work. Love GOD....Loathe Gays....and above all tote them Guns!
Only the republicans bums think their going to win in Nov . Guess what, you don't have enough billions to buy. This election. Republicans and the transfer are the most hated people in America, freedom works and file Armstrong and daley should be thrown in prison like the crooks and bums they are.!!!!!!!!
@Russ in Md "Joyce: it's not true". Umm, yes it is. You're obviously one of those folks who don't let the facts get in the way when figuring stuff out. Pathetic.
Dick armey and tom delay have been tryin to rig elections Denver the bush years, hiss what, your through,and freedomworks and the teaparty are out of business in Nov, den landslide coming in Nov , thanks teaparty bafoons and republican. Morons !!!!!!!
Biden looks mumified and retarded, hybridized. The barry regime is undoubtedly THE most corrupt in history, EVERY word deceptive. If you hooked barry to a polygraph machine it'd blow up. Evidently some would rather be decieved than love the truth. Fistfight or election ROMNEY will STOMP barry. Ha ha
Let's all hope that the delusion and stupidity of the right-wingers commenting on the Ticker isn't infectious, and that their self-loathing cries for help will silence as they and their ilk perish over time.
Dems are anti american, anti human, anti life, anti liberty, anti christian. You can bet the farm on that one
Don't worry about the women...We are well aware of what the repubs are trying to do to us and every other part of the Democratic party.... We not only know what they are up to but we women will fight them with our votes..... No self respecting woman is going to vote for a party trying to mess up our lives by taking away our health benefits . This time WE are calling the shots....WE WON"T VOTE REPUBlLICAN.....!!! !!
Errgh....
Two words: DON'T DO IT!
Old Bite Me is showing his age. quite senile also.
In the picture biden seem to look quite ill. Just old age I suppose.
Biden – the ultimate partisan hack – perfect for the Obama team!
Russ in Md,
You may be aware there are loopholes in tax structure that create incentives for corporations to send jobs overseas, such as Romney's Bain Capital.
The difference is Romney & his affiliates in Congress refuse to close these loopholes. President Obama & his congressional colleagues support closing the loopholes to help bring jobs back to America.
Regarding the article, it's wrong for GOP politicians to oppose the Violence Against Women Act, regardless of origin or orientation.
@llya, honey, you better get educated. Don't this world know that 2 unfunded wars, and Reagan trickle down nonsense created this mess. Long term effect is being experienced now. Mittens want to ban SS, Medicare etc, go to war with Iran. Do you realize?
REPUBLICANS CLASS WARFARE , destroying our country,economy, against all WOMEN, GAYS and a BLACK man in the White House. " OBAMA / BIDEN 2012" who we trust and will be with you all the way.
Biden looks he's ready to kick the bucket. I doubt he'll survive a second term.
For goodness sakes Russ in Md, learn to spell and use correct syntax. brake instead of break; manufactorer instead of manufacturer; profet instead of profit; quite instead of quit.
I am amazed that you can use a computer. You must be a product of No Child Left Behind.
No one with any smarts would listen to this nimrod.