On May 16, the House passed its version of the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization bill. Although some last-minute changes were made in a manager’s amendment, the bill would still weaken protections for immigrant victims of domestic violence.

The bill, H.R. 4970, is opposed by domestic violence groups, immigrant rights groups, and law enforcement. It was perhaps the opposition of faith-based groups that moved 23 Republicans to join 182 Democrats in voting against the bill. On May 14, a letter signed by leaders of 30 faith-based groups, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the American Jewish Committee, and the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, urged