The Violence Against Women Act, which Congress had failed to reauthorize in 2012, has finally passed in the House by a vote of 286 to 138. House Republicans had not been thrilled with the bill's provisions for Native Americans and immigrants, as well as for LGBT people. The bill had passed in the Senate two weeks ago with bipartisan support.

The bill "will grant more than $650 million over five years to states and local governments to provide services such as transitional housing and legal advice to victims," according to ABC News.

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland) said that this was "probably the first positive act we've taken this Congress." President Obama is expected to sign the law. He stated that “renewing this bill is an important step towards making sure no one in America is forced to live in fear” and that he would sign the bill “as soon as it hits my desk.”

Read more of Neon Tommy's coverage of women's rights here.

Reach Executive Producer Cara Palmer here; follow her here.