Bipartisan Violence Against Women Act Passed Senate Last Week With Support From Rob Portman, John McCain

COLUMBUS, OHIO – A group of nine Ohio state legislators have sent a letter to Josh Mandel criticizing him for his refusal to support S. 1925, the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization of 2011 (VAWA), that passed the Senate on a bipartisan basis last week.

In the letter, the legislators thank Senator Sherrod Brown for his unequivocal support of VAWA throughout his time in Congress and underscore their need for strong allies in the U.S. Senate.

“As state legislators in Ohio, we are working tirelessly to improve responses to domestic violence and ultimately prevent it entirely. We need a strong partner in the U.S. Senate, and we are proud to thank U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown for his support of the Violence Against Women Act last week and throughout his time in Congress.

“It is troubling and upsetting to know that had you been in the Senate last week, you would have put extreme partisan politics ahead of Ohio’s women and families and voted NO on S. 1925, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization.

“Whether it is the police officer funded by VAWA, the counselor or clinic that receives training through VAWA, or the shelter that can open its doors tonight to just one more woman because of VAWA, the point is unmistakably clear – Ohio women and families need the Violence Against Women Act. What we certainly do not need is the type of partisan pandering you have demonstrated that threatens our health, safety and well-being.”

To read the entire letter, please click here.

“These state legislators, like so many other individuals in Ohio, are disturbed to know that Josh Mandel chose to put partisan politics before Ohio women and families,” said Sadie Weiner, Friends of Sherrod Brown spokesperson. “Josh Mandel’s insistence on appealing to the fringe elements of the Republican Party, including those who voted against the Violence Against Women Act that passed last week, shows that he is just another politician who is wrong for Ohio and can’t be trusted.”

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Paid for by Friends of Sherrod Brown