After losing women in midterms -- Republicans will let Violence Against Women Act expire as their final act of Congress

One of the final acts of the Republicans in the House and Senate will be to allow the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to expire in two weeks before their recess.

Roll Call noted the expiration date that would necessitate a Congressional reauthorization. It was already given an extension until Dec. 7 when it was up Sept. 30. It's now been extended until the 21st. Republicans decided not to use the opportunity to reauthorize it ahead of the 2018 midterm election.

There was a massive fight in 2013 over the reauthorization with many Republicans voting against it. The 2018 election proved to be a bloodbath for Republicans when it came to female voters. A recent New York Times report revealed Republicans aren't taking heed from the decision by voters, and "have no sign of course correction."

Indeed, the party's resistance to support VAWA is another in the long line of policy decisions that illustrate the GOP's position on women and families.

The law gives funding to social service agencies that help survivors of sexual violence, Roll Call explained. It includes funding for "rape crisis centers, shelters and legal-assistance programs."

According to the CDC, one in three women and one in six men encounter sexual violence in their lifetimes. Fifteen million children each year are abused.

Democrats take over Congress in January, and will likely consider the reauthorization of VAWA a priority.