House lawmakers have approved the Senate’s version of the Violence Against Women Act, reauthorizing the landmark bill after it was held up for months by Republican objections. House Republicans sought to exclude new protections for LGBT victims and Native American women from their version of the bill. But a Senate version that includes those provisions ultimately passed the House Thursday with 138 Republicans opposing the bill and 87 siding with Democrats in favor of it. The bill now awaiting Obama’s signature will allow tribal courts to try non-Native men who assault Native American women on reservations. Arizona Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, a Democrat who represents many Native Americans, spoke in favor of the expanded protections before the vote.

Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick: “Our Native American women, who need resources and protection, face great hardships. They often live in very remote areas. Unfortunately, Native American women are two-and-a-half times more likely to be assaulted in their lifetimes than other women. This legislation strengthens protections for Native American women and so many others.”