[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 59 (Tuesday, April 24, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S2614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, before the majority leader leaves the 
floor, with regard to the Violence Against Women Act, we would be very 
happy to enter into a short time agreement. He is entirely correct; 
this law has passed in the Senate on an overwhelming bipartisan basis, 
and there is very strong bipartisan support for it again this year. We 
are happy to work with him to expeditiously approve that bill in short 
order. Those discussions over some kind of a very short time agreement 
could begin as soon as now. We are happy to work with him to facilitate 
passage of that.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I think that is a positive statement, as 
long as there are not efforts made to weaken this legislation. But if 
this moves forward quickly with a short time agreement, but in an 
effort to weaken the bill, we want no part of that.
  I look forward to conversations to begin with staff and to bring in 
Senator Leahy and others, and Senator McConnell and I can work on this.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, there is no reason to fight over 
something that nobody wants to have a fight over. We are happy to work 
on a reasonable time agreement and pass that in short order.

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