A list of dudes who oppose the Violence Against Women Act

**Trigger warning**

Welcome to the new Washington, where it’s now perfectly acceptable to take a basic sentiment, like “I think we should make life easier for women who’ve been beaten, assaulted, or raped,” and declare yourself publicly in opposition to it.

Or at least, there are some Republicans who consider it acceptable. These Senators, all of them men, have set themselves against the renewal of the Violence Against Women Act. Yesterday, they all voted not to consider reauthorizing it: they don’t even want to allow it to come to a vote. Because hey, women are only the majority of voters in this country, and they’re only incredibly likely to be beaten, assaulted, or raped over the course of their lifetimes. So you know what? Fuck ‘em!

Would you like to know who these brave lawmakers are, these bold men willing to stand up against the sheep of the status quo as they bleat that violence against women is bad? Of course you would!

Ted Cruz (R-TX)

This guy just got elected and he’s getting off on the worst fucking foot ever.

If you live in  Texas, this guy is your Senator (his website says he’s just been elected “the 3th Senator from Texas” which I’m fairly sure is both innumerate and illegal)

Think the 3th Senator from Texas is wrong? You should contact him and tell him so.

Mike Lee (R-UT)

Lee is from Utah, home of sweeping snowy mountains and gorgeous national parks and, according to him, constituents who don’t give a fuck about violence against women.

If you live in Utah, this guy is your Senator, and you know that he’s wrong about his constituents. You should contact him and tell him so.

James Risch (R-ID)

Oh, James. James, James, James. Jimmy. Can I call you Jimmy? I can’t, because I’m not one of your constituents, and we’re not on those terms. But James, WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU THINKING?! That’s a good question, one you should ask him (more politely than that, I would ask) if he is your Senator.

Tim Scott (R-SC)

This guy was appointed by a woman. Like, five minutes ago. Governor Nikki Haley appointed Scott to the Senate, and I really, really want to be a fly on the wall when he explains to her that he isn’t interested in even letting his colleagues vote on funding organizations that would help people like her mother and her sister and her daughter and HER, if god forbid someone should do something awful to them. If you’re inSouth Carolina, Scott is your Senator. Call him and tell him why the VAWA matters.

BUT WAIT, there’s more! There are more men who oppose the Violence Against Women Act below the jump!

Pat Roberts (R-KS)

What’s the matter with Kansas? Well, having a Senator who opposes the Violence Against Women Act should certainly be on the list. Kansans of Feministing, call your Senator. Tell him what’s the matter with his stance on this issue.

Mike Johanns (R-NE)

Good god, this list is disgustingly long. And Mike Johanns is just the next guy on this list. This list of guys who don’t think that violence against women is that big a deal. If you’re from Nebraska, this guy is your Senator. Call him. Now.

Marco Rubio (R-FL)

New face of the GOP? Sure, but the new face has a pretty old school stance on violence against women. If you’re a Floridian Feministing reader, this guy is your Senator. Once you’re done soaking up the year-round sun and… insert other stereotypes about Florida here… Please call your Senator.

Rand Paul (R-KY)

I hate having to put those initials right after Paul’s name because – and yeah, this is how my mind works – I think about lube. And I do not want to think about Rand Paul and lube, or really Rand Paul in the same breath as anything that is even tangentially related to sex. Rand Paul, last but not least on this List of Ignominy, is the senior Senator for Kentucky. If he’s your Senator, once you’re done cleansing your brain of the horrific mental images I just planted in it (I’m so, so sorry, you guys), contact him and tell him how wrong he is about VAWA.