“I encourage my Senate colleagues to listen to these advocates and help us pass a bipartisan VAWA reauthorization that includes important enhancements that these organizations are asking for,” she added.
However, GOP Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa objected giving consent to vote on the VAWA reauthorization citing the reason that it will not pass in the Senate.
Sen. Ernst said, “Why on earth would we introduce a piece of legislation that will not make it through this body? Shouldn’t we be working together to find a path forward? We should continue to work on that, and I sincerely hope that by the end of this year, we can come together.” She introduced her own bill to reauthorize VAWA.
Although Sen. Ernst blocked a vote on the House-passed VAWA reauthorization, she expressed optimism to reach a bipartisan agreement by the end of 2019.
“I think that by the end of the year, we should find something that will work to reauthorize this very, very important piece of legislation, and I appreciate your leadership on this very much and truly have enjoyed working with you,” said Sen. Ernst.
