Toomey, Casey support VAWA

Both Pa US Senators Pat Toomey and Bob Casey voted in favor of reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act today, which provides new domestic abuse protections for gays, lesbians, immigrants and Native American women.

All Democrats voted in favor of the reauthorization -- which must now go to the Republican-controlled House -- while 22 GOP Senators (or half GOP caucus) voted against it. Some, such as Florida's Marco Rubio, said they supported much of VAMA but said the new version took funding decisions away from the states and conferred too much power over U.S. citizens to Indian tribal governments. Toomey joined other Republicans in voting in favor of amendments to the bill that were shot down.

Conservative groups such as Heritage Action had urged a "no" vote and said they would be keeping score on the tallies.

The reauthorization now goes back to the House, which approved a different version than the Senate's last year.