Biden: 'Neanderthal' GOP Slowed VAWA Passage

Biden: 'Neanderthal' GOP Slowed VAWA Passage

At an event celebrating the 19th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Vice President Joe Biden blamed the “neanderthal” crowd in the House of Representatives for holding up the VAWA’s renewal. The VAWA was reauthorized in March, having expired in December of the previous year. 

“I’m going to say something outrageous,” Biden said, warning his audience but surprising no one.

The Vice President went on to brag that he “understand[s] the Senate better than any man or woman who’s ever served in there, and I think I understand the House …” He registered alarm that there was a ‘fight’ to reauthorize the Act in the first place, singling out the “neanderthal crowd” for holding up the passage. 

“Well, you know what? The thing they didn’t like, they said we like it the way it is,” he said, referencing additions of “Native Americans living on tribal lands and LGBT people” to the Act.

The re-authorization of VAWA was prepared to go forward without issue but the Democrats added new provisions to the bill. It was  broadened to include services for men and prisoners, to spend money on areas that are already fully funded, and empower tribal courts. It also attempted to expand access to visas for non-citizens.

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