U.S. Representative Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) explained on Wednesday that changes made by members of the Democratic Party are the reason he doesn’t support an altered version of the Violence Against Women Act.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed what is being called the “Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021” on Wednesday. It contains changes from the original law, which passed in 1994. Moore believes those changes are in line with what he sees as the “radical agenda” of the Democratic Party.

Moore maintained that he would have voted for a clean reauthorization of the act, noting he voted for an amendment that would have “fully reauthorized the Violence Against Woman Act’s essential programs.”

Democrats, who control both chambers of Congress, voted down the amendment for a “‘clean reauthorization” that Moore supported.

The new version of the Violence Against Women Act — which Moore’s office called “a politicized and expanded reauthorization” — passed the House of Representatives on a vote of 244-172, meaning 29 Republicans joined the entirety of the Democratic caucus in supporting the bill.

In explaining the negative effects of the reauthorization, Moore’s office cited that the bill becoming law would mean government services designed for women would be provided to men who identify as female.

His office also took exception to the bill denying faith-based exemptions for religious organizations seeking grants.

“This bill jeopardizes the safety and well-being of women by eliminating key protections for victims of domestic violence and promotes unproven methods that could re-traumatize women by forcing them to confront their abusers. I will not support Democrats’ efforts to erode critical protections for women for their own political gain,” said Moore in a statement.

Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95.