Tell Rep. Johnson: We are not fooled by your vote for the fake Violence Against Women Act that guts protections for millions of women

House Republicans have voted for shameful bills to redefine rape, defund Planned Parenthood, and to let women die. Still, despite their appalling record on women's issues, you might think that Republicans in Congress would have some concern for domestic violence survivors. You'd be wrong.

Just over a month ago, Rep. Timothy Johnson and House Republicans voted to block the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

But then, yesterday, Rep. Johnson joined fellow extremist Tea Party Republicans in voting for a bill which they misleadingly called the "Violence Against Women Act," but which actually guts current protections for victims of domestic abuse.

Tell Rep. Johnson: Shame on you for gutting protections for victims of domestic abuse and for continuing to play politics with women's lives. Click here to automatically sign the petition.

The purpose of this charade was to muddy the waters on the substance of their position, and by confusing people, to appear to care about women.

It was reprehensible that Rep. Johnson joined with the Tea Party majority in Congress and voted against considering renewal of the real Violence Against Women Act, an incredibly popular, successful, and (until now) bipartisan bill that has reduced domestic violence rates by 58% since it was first passed in 1994.

In fact the last time the program was reauthorized, it passed nearly unanimously through both the House and the Senate.

But the political climate in Washington, DC is much different now than it was just a few years ago, and Republicans are voting in lockstep with the Tea Party instead of standing up for their constituents on key bills like the Violence Against Women Act.

Still it's astonishing that after an incredible backlash from appalled constituents, Rep. Johnson and other Republicans thought they could hoodwink people by voting for a sham version of the bill.

Rep. Johnson needs to know we will not be fooled by his vote for the fake VAWA. At a moment like this, we need to make sure our elected representatives, no matter how hostile to women's health and women's rights, know we are going to hold them accountable for their shameful votes.

Tell Rep. Johnson: Shame on you for gutting protections for victims of domestic abuse and for continuing to play politics with women's lives. Click here to automatically sign the petition.

Thank you for standing up for women.

Becky Bond, Political Director
CREDO Action from Working Assets