The U.S. Senate voted unanimously to repeal Section 910 of the Violence Against Women Act known as the “Alaska Exemption”.
Senator Lisa Murkowski spoke to the vote which strikes the provision of the bipartisan bill which passed in 2013.
Sen. Murkowski: “So it is exceptionally good news that not only have we seen final passage in the Senate again, this Congress with its 78 senators in support but today the House has voted on a vote of 286 ayes to 138 nays to advance Violence Against Women reauthorization.”
The “Alaska Exemption to the Act exclusively prohibited Alaska tribes from issuing and enforcing domestic violence protective orders against non-member Alaska Natives and non-Natives.
Senator Mark Begich cosponsored the repeal and said the measure will improve safety in Alaskan villages and provide more tools to reduce violence and crime.
