As GOP Attempts to Soften Image, Will Mike Fitzpatrick Stand In Way Of Critical Protections For Women?

Washington, D.C. – With Republicans working overtime to rebrand their party in light of the GOP’s abysmal standing with women, the question remains: will Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick stand in the way of long-delayed renewal of the Violence Against Women Act?

Although the Violence Against Women Act expired in September 2011, Tea Party House leaders chose not to renew this critical domestic violence prevention funding. Yet just today the Senate passed the bill with an overwhelmingly bipartisan margin, 78 to 22.

It’s now up to the House to act in order to, as the Seattle Times wrote, ‘not squander a second chance to save lives’ because ‘the abused and battered have no time for political games.’

“Rather than renew this critically important domestic violence prevention funding that provides assistance to victims and helps prosecute their abusers, Tea Party House Republicans chose to stand in the way,” said Alixandria Lapp, Executive Director of House Majority PAC. “The question now remains: Will Mike Fitzpatrick and the Tea Party House continue the war on women and ‘squander a second chance to save lives’?”