A US House vote could be held soon, on the re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

Democrats in the Senate added provisions making it easier for women in the country illegally, to remain, if they are victims of domestic violence.  But Republicans in the house oppose that provision, another part of the bill that specifically extends domestic violence protections to same-sex couples, and a provision giving native American tribes more say in how to deal with men accused of abusing native women.

Democratic Eastern Connecticut Congressman Joe Courtney said it should be made easier for abused immigrants to come forward.

“Public policy should be that  if you are a victim of a crime, that should be paramount to us as a nation,” Courtney said. “As opposed to allowing intimidation and fear from those who prey on immigrants to keep them from reporting crime.”

Courtney took part in a press conference at the state capitol today, along with fellow Connecticut Democratic Representatives Chris Murphy and Rosa DeLauro.

“This is not the place for a partisan game,” DeLauro said. “Encoding the majority’s radical biases into the Violence Against Women Act, would roll back essential protections that have made such a difference in the lives of so many women.”

“What they are doing is putting their personal ideology above the lives and health of women in this country,” DeLauro said.

The Senate has already approved the bill, with the Democratic provisions.

Some house Republicans accuse Democrats of playing politics, because the Democrats are fighting for provisions they knew Republicans would oppose.