JUNEAU -- The U.S. Senate has passed legislation that would allow Alaska tribes to issue and enforce protective orders against non-Natives.
Sen. Mark Begich's office said the provision passed as a pared-down version of a safe families' bill, through a legislative maneuver known as unanimous consent.
There was no floor vote, but Democrats and Republicans agreed to let it pass.
The provision would repeal what has been referred to as the Alaska exemption to the Violence Against Women Act.
It wasn't immediately clear whether the measure would be taken up by the House before the holiday recess.
A spokesman for Rep. Don Young said the House also has the ability to move fast and that the hope was to get the bill passed.