Legislation to renew the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is currently at an impasse, following House passage of a bill substantially different from the Senate-approved version. Although Congress has renewed the Act in the past with overwhelming bipartisan support, this year’s effort has been marred by political divisions and controversy over whom the law should cover. (See the June 2012 issue of Congressional Digest, Violence Against Women.) On May 16, the Republican-led House of Representatives passed H.R. 4970 by a vote of 225 to 205. The bill represents a stark contrast to the Senate bill (S. 1925), which expands coverage…