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[Page S3038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Violence Against Women Act
Mr. President, I want to take an additional moment to talk about a
second issue that is about saving lives.
For almost 25 years, the Violence Against Women Act has helped
prevent domestic violence and provide survivors with the things they
need to build a better life for themselves and their families. This
important piece of legislation is now expired.
The House passed a VAWA--Violence Against Women's Reauthorization
bill 48 days ago and sent it to us. It contained important updates to
protect people from violent dating partners and stalkers, and it helps
restore Tribal jurisdiction over certain crimes committed on Tribal
lands.
Unfortunately, just as in the case of junk insurance plans, we have
seen no action on this floor--no action--by the majority leader. I
think, in fact, it has been over 2 months since we have had actual
legislation and votes on legislation that would solve problems and
address concerns of the American people. It has been 48 days since the
House of Representatives sent us a bill to continue support and funding
for domestic violence shelters and other important support.
Well, people with preexisting conditions have waited long enough.
Survivors of domestic violence have waited long enough. People whose
lives are being threatened by violent dating partners or stalkers have
waited long enough.
Here is my question for the Senate majority leader: What are you
waiting for?
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Cruz). The clerk will call the roll.
The assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Carolina.
Mr. BURR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. BURR. I ask unanimous consent that we start the 4:30 votes now.
I ask for the yeas and nays.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The question is, Will the Senate advise and consent to the Nielson
nomination?
Is there a sufficient second?
There appears to be a sufficient second.
The clerk will call the roll.
The assistant bill clerk called the roll.
Mr. THUNE. The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator
from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis).
Further, if present and voting, the Senator from North Carolina (Mr.
Tillis) would have voted ``yea.''
Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Senator from California (Ms. Harris)
is necessarily absent.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there any other Senators in the Chamber
desiring to vote?
The result was announced--yeas 51, nays 47, as follows:
[Rollcall Vote No. 123 Ex.]
YEAS--51
Alexander
Barrasso
Blackburn
Blunt
Boozman
Braun
Burr
Capito
Cassidy
Cornyn
Cotton
Cramer
Crapo
Cruz
Daines
Enzi
Ernst
Fischer
Gardner
Graham
Grassley
Hawley
Hoeven
Hyde-Smith
Inhofe
Isakson
Johnson
Kennedy
Lankford
Lee
McConnell
McSally
Moran
Murkowski
Paul
Perdue
Portman
Risch
Roberts
Romney
Rounds
Rubio
Sasse
Scott (FL)
Scott (SC)
Shelby
Sullivan
Thune
Toomey
Wicker
Young
NAYS--47
Baldwin
Bennet
Blumenthal
Booker
Brown
Cantwell
Cardin
Carper
Casey
Collins
Coons
Cortez Masto
Duckworth
Durbin
Feinstein
Gillibrand
Hassan
Heinrich
Hirono
Jones
Kaine
King
Klobuchar
Leahy
Manchin
Markey
Menendez
Merkley
Murphy
Murray
Peters
Reed
Rosen
Sanders
Schatz
Schumer
Shaheen
Sinema
Smith
Stabenow
Tester
Udall
Van Hollen
Warner
Warren
Whitehouse
Wyden
NOT VOTING--2
Harris
Tillis
The nomination was confirmed.