These thirty-one men voted against the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2011 tonight, ostensibly because the bill includes protections for people in same gender relationships, visas for undocumented workers, and gives more authority to Native American tribes to address domestic violence. These are apparently bad things.
Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY), Roy Blunt (R-MO), John Boozman (R-AR), Richard Burr (R-NC), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Tom Coburn (R-OK), Thad Cochran (R-MS), John Cornyn (R-TX), Jim DeMint (R-SC), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Mike Johanns (R-NE), Rob Johnson (R-WI), Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Mike Lee (R-UT), Dick Lugar (R-IN), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Rand Paul (R-KY), Jim Risch (R-ID), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Richard Shelby (R-AL), Jim Thune (R-SD), Pat Toomey (R-PA), Roger Wicker (R-MS)
You know the Republican base opposes protecting woman and gays from acts of violence because members in tough primaries like Orrin Hatch and Dick Lugar voted against protecting women and gays. As for Marco Rubio, he decided it wouldn’t hurt his chances of being Romney’s running mate if he voted against protecting women and gays from violence. Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio wasn’t that stupid. Maybe that’s why Rubio immediately made frantic attempts to explain himself. He actually said he voted against the bill because it diverts money earmarked for domestic violence to a fund devoted to dealing with sexual assault. So, he voted ‘no’ because he hates beatings more than rape?
I swear I might go crazy if I don’t stop reading about Republican rhetoric.
