The Senate voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act today after fending off Republican attempts to remove protections for immigrants, Native American women, and LGBT individuals who are victims of domestic abuse or sexual violence. 

Senate Democrats were able to pass S. 1925 with the support of 15 Republicans; 31 GOP Senators voted against VAWA.

Republican lawmakers who voted no “effectively [turned] their backs on women who need this life-saving legislation,” said Terry O’Neill, President of the National Organization of Women.

VAWA is credited for drastically reducing domestic abuse and homicide rates since 1994. Despite the progress made, the Center for Disease Control estimated that 12 million American women are raped, beaten, or stalked by their domestic partners each year. VAWA’s reauthorization is required to continue funding for domestic abuse prosecution efforts and victim support programs.

Read more: GOP lawmakers oppose reauthorization of Violence Against Women Act

The Senate version will  be sent to the House for consideration, but Republican lawmakers will likely introduce amendments to cut funding for underserved populations, such as LGBT, Native American, and immigrant victims of domestic and sexual violence.

31 Republican Senators who voted against VAWA’s reauthorization

• John Barrasso (R-WY)*
• Roy Blunt (R-MO)
• John Boozman (R-AR)
• Richard Burr (R-NC)
• Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)
• Tom Coburn (R-OK)
• Thad Cochran (R-MS)
• John Cornyn (R-TX)
• Jim DeMint (R-SC)
• Mike Enzi (R-WY)
• Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
• Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
• Orrin Hatch (R-UT)*
• James Inhofe (R-OK)
• Johnny Isakson (R-GA)
• Mike Johanns (R-NE)
• Ron Johnson (R-WI)
• Jon Kyl (R-AZ)
• Mike Lee (R-UT)
• Dick Lugar (R-IN)*
• Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
• Jerry Moran (R-KS)
• Rand Paul (R-KY)
• James Risch (R-ID)
• Pat Roberts (R-KS)
• Marco Rubio (R-FL)
• Jeff Sessions (R-AL)
• Richard Shelby (R-AL)
• John Thune (R-SD)
• Pat Toomey (R-PA)*
• Roger Wicker (R-MS)

* Up for re-election in 2012

Learn More:

• WhatTheFolly.com: Democrats pressure Congress to pass VAWA
• WhatTheFolly.com: GOP lawmakers oppose reauthorization of Violence Against Women Act
• WhatTheFolly.com: Transcript: Sen. Patrick Leahy on why Congress should pass VAWA
• WhatTheFolly.com: Transcript: AG Eric Holder supports the Violence Against Women Act
• Senate.gov: Senate vote on S. 1925 “Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2011″
• Thomas.LOC.gov: Bill summary of S. 1925 “Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2011″
• Justice.gov: Statement of the Attorney General on the Passage of the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act
• Center for Disease Control: 2011 survey on sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence in the United States
• Leahy.Senate.gov: Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Senate Passage Of S.1925, The Leahy-Crapo Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, In A Bipartisan Vote Of 68 To 31
• WhiteHouse.gov: 1 is 2 many initiative
• WhiteHouse.gov: Statement from Vice President Biden on the Violence Against Women Act
• WhiteHouse.gov: Strengthening Violence Against Women Act