House Republicans clear path to renew the Violence Against Women Act

Republicans in the House of Representatives appear to be clearing a path to renew the controversial Violence Against Women Act, the New York Times reported.

The House is due to vote Thursday on a Republican version of the landmark 1994 law, according to the Times.

Rachel Maddow on her MSNBC blog said the House GOP version would make it more difficult for Native American courts to prosecute non-Indians charged with violence against women on tribal lands.

It also does not provide program support for victims of domestic violence in same-sex relationships.

More from GlobalPost: Violence Against Women Act: US Senate approves, expands measure

As GlobalPost reported, the Senate voted to reauthorize an expanded version of VAWA earlier this month in a 78 to 22 vote.

If the GOP version fails in the House, it will take up the version passed by the Senate, the Times said.

This is the third time Congress will try to pass the bill.

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