Chris Smith Voted No on Violence Against Women Act

The Violence Against Women Act is due to expire in September. Chris Smith’s website displays a speech indicating his support for the 2013 renewal of the VAWA, but there is some trickery afoot.

Smith voted to renew the VAWA for years, until the Senate added protections for LGBT Americans in 2012. Smith and Republicans objected and proposed their own alternative. That alternative bill failed the same day the Senate version passed the House.

Smith voted against the Senate bill. It is the GOP alternative, without LGBT protections, which Smith praises on his website.

Even Cathy McMorris Rogers, sponsor of the GOP stunt, voted for the Senate bill. But Smith couldn’t, because it acknowledged LGBT people as human beings with human rights.

Smith can’t hide behind his vote for the GOP alternative. When he voted against the VAWA, he was unequivocally stating that the bill should not become law. Smith had no guarantee the other party would bail him out and pass the VAWA. He irresponsibly put the VAWA at risk, further displaying his failure as a leader.

The VAWA improves services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. It prevents states from charging victims for rape kits. It allows women who flee domestic violence to obtain protection orders across state lines without having to return home to danger.

Smith loves to tout his human rights work, so why was he willing to sacrifice the VAWA? Because he couldn’t vote for a VAWA that included LGBT Americans, because his definition of human falls short again and again.

On November 6th, vote for Josh Welle, who believes everyone is entitled to equal protection under the law. Who supports women’s rights and LGBT rights. Who would advance the aims of the VAWA by keeping firearms away from domestic abusers.

If Smith can’t accept all of his contstituents as equal citizens, he’s not entitled to them. It’s time for change.