U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann was the lone member of Minnesota's congressional delegation to vote against the Violence Against Women Act, a law credited with raising awareness about abuse of women.
The House vote was 286 to 138, with 87 Republicans, including Minnesota U.S. Reps. John Kline and Erik Paulsen, joining Democrats to pass the bill.
The legislation authorizes funding for programs that aid domestic violence and sexual assault victims, including shelters and support hotlines. It also covers funding for programs to prosecute people charged with committing the crimes.
The renewal approved Thursday renewed the law, which was first passed in 1994, and broadened its reach to include Native American and immigrant women and gay and transgender people.
While Republicans supported renewing the Violence Against Women Act, some conservatives members of Congress objected to the added specific protections, including provisions giving tribal courts jurisdiction to prosecute cases on Indian reservations.
On Wednesday, House members rejected a Republican version that did not include the extra protections.
"Rep. Bachmann recognizes the importance of giving local law enforcement and nonprofit programs the resources they need to fight against domestic violence and sexual assault, which is why she supported the stronger House version of the Violence Against Women Act," said Bachmann spokesman Dan Kotman.
Before voting for the expanded legislation, Kline and Paulsen joined Bachmann in supporting the failed Republican version.
