White House Issues Veto Threat on Domestic Violence Bill Lacking LGBT Protections
The White House on Tuesday threatened to veto the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) should protections for LGBT victims remain absent from the bill's language.
The House version of the bills reauthorization fails to include language that would prohibit discrimination against LGBT victims in VAWA grant programs, according to a White House Statement of Administration Policy (SAP) that lists other perceived major flaws, including the removal of certain protections for immigrants and individuals living in subsidized housing.
No sexual assault or domestic violence victim should be beaten, hurt, or killed because they could not access needed support, assistance, and protection, the statement released by the Office of Management and Budget read.
Late last month, the Senate passed its version of the bill with specific LGBT provisions. Should that language not be adopted in the final version of the bill, White House advisors would recommend that President Obama veto the bill, according to the Tuesday statement.
http://www.advocate.com/politics/2012/05/16/white-house-issues-veto-threat-domestic-violence-bill-lacking-lgbt-protections