U.S. Sen. Scott Brown took to the floor of the Senate Tuesday to urge Congress to put aside partisan differences to pass an extension of the Violence Against Women Act.
Brown, R-Mass., said there are relatively small differences between House and Senate versions of the bill that are holding up its final approval.
“The vast majority of the bill is broadly supported on both sides of the aisle,” he said in a short speech.
“It is beyond frustrating that the House has become distracted by a tiny percentage of the bill that has caused gridlock,” he said. “Even worse, it seems, some are willing to allow procedural technicalities to block the way forward.
“That makes no sense to me. This bill should be done already. Women in Massachusetts, and victims of violence, deserve better.”
Brown’s floor statement comes at a time when he is stepping up his re-election campaign outreach to women.
He is airing radio and TV advertisements featuring his wife Gail Huff and has been speaking on more women’s issues as polls show a gender gap that has women favoring Democratic candidates.
The Senate passed its version of the bill by a wide margin, with Democrats and Republicans supporting it.
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This story first ran in the The Sun Chronicle on June 12, 2012.
