WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama on Thursday signed into law the Violence Against Women Act, formally ending a battle fought in Congress in the last year over controversial changes to the act.

In a public ceremony in Washington, Obama said this year’s legislation expands an act that has altered the culture surrounding domestic violence in America. The bill extends federal aid to gay, immigrant and tribal victims, while adding services for its original beneficiaries and a large voting bloc: women.

Accompanied by Vice President Joe Biden, who first introduced the act as a senator 19 years ago, Obama emphasized the bill’s new services.