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In A Stunning Rebuke to the NRA, 33 House Republicans Vote to Pass VAWA

4.5.2019

Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 263-158 in favor of H.R. 1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, bipartisan legislation that includes life-saving provisions to disarm domestic abusers and provide law enforcement important tools to intervene when domestic abusers try to illegally obtain guns.

Despite the NRA coming out in opposition to H.R. 1585 and launching a full-scale lobbying campaign focusing on a provision that would close the “boyfriend loophole,” 33 Republicans voted in support of the life-saving legislation.

According to NPR, “The NRA called for a ‘no’ vote and notified Capitol Hill offices this week that the organization was ‘scoring’ how lawmakers vote on the bill to measure future ratings and endorsements in elections. Congressional Republicans rarely run afoul of NRA positions on legislation.”

But it’s clear that’s changing. Just take a look at some of the coverage:

New York Times: “House Expands Domestic Violence Gun Controls in Rebuke to N.R.A.”

Politico: “Defying NRA, Democrats vote to expand domestic violence law

NPR: “33 Republicans Split With NRA In House Vote To Renew Violence Against Women Act”

NPR: “House Passes Bill Protecting Domestic Abuse Victims; GOP Split Over Gun Restrictions”Vox: “The NRA tried to block an updated Violence Against Women Act in the House — and failed”

Vox: “The NRA tried to block an updated Violence Against Women Act in the House — and failed”

Rolling Stone: “The House Rebukes the NRA in Advancing Domestic Violence Legislation”

The Root: “The House Opposes the NRA to Renew the Violence Against Women Act—with Powerful Provisions to Protect All Women”

This isn’t the first loss the NRA has suffered this year. In February, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 and the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019, which would address the “Charleston loophole,” which allows licensed dealers to sell a gun after three business days even if a background check has not been completed.