Senate tries again to move anti-violence bill

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate took up the Violence Against Women Act Monday, seeking to remedy Congress’ failure last year to extend and expand a law protecting women from domestic abuse while broadening its coverage to include Native Americans, gays and lesbians.

Both the Democratic-led Senate and the GOP House attempted last year to pass the new version of the 1994 law which expired in 2011. But leaders of the two chambers were unable to span the partisan divide and reach a compromise. With Republican losses among women voters in the November election still a fresh memory, Senate advocates are hoping that it will be easier to find common ground with House Republicans.