Week in Washington: Lankford pushes for Senate efficiency, Republicans advocate anti-abortion bill - News - The Shawnee News-Star

WASHINGTON — Oklahoma’s delegation tackled issues of abortion, violence against women and a complex yet important Senate rule change this week. Here’s what congressional members have been up to in the district lately. Violence Against Women Act reauthorization The House voted Thursday to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. The bill passed 263-158 with Reps. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) and Kendra Horn (D-Okla.) voting for it and Reps. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) voting against it. This is the fourth time the Violence Against Women Act has been reauthorized in its 25 year history. This bill includes new provisions that the National Rifle Association objected to, including measures to prevent those convicted of misdemeanor domestic abuse or stalking charges from buying a gun. Cole, who broke ranks with his fellow Republicans by voting “yes,” said in a speech on the House floor that when considering legislation, including this bill, he looks at the overall benefit and context. “Certainly, there are provisions in this version of the reauthorization with which I profoundly disagree — those are particularly related to the Second Amendment,” Cole said. “However, there are compelling things about this legislation that I believe particularly are consistent with my own views and my own voting record on tribal sovereignty and protection of Native women.” Horn spoke on the House floor to advocate for awareness of the impact of trauma and adverse childhood experiences. “I’m proud our country is working to help women and families recover from abuse by reauthorizing #VAWA, but we also need to consider the long-term effects of trauma,” Horn tweeted.   Lankford pushes Senate rules change Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) spent the week fighting for a Senate rule change that Republicans ultimately forced through after it failed to gain bipartisan support. The change will cut the amount of time required for the Senate

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