On Tuesday, the Senate renewed the Violence Against Women Act by an overwhelming 78-22 vote.
Parts of the renewal include domestic violence protection for gays, lesbians, immigrants and Native American women.
Bill Nelson voted "yes" to renew the act.
Marco Rubio voted "no."
Banner day for that guy.
The act, which was signed into law by then-President Bill Clinton on September 13, 1994, has helped reduce national rates of domestic violence with programs and services, including the federal rape shield law, community violence prevention programs, funding for victim assistance services -- such as rape crisis centers and hotlines -- as well as providing legal aid for victims of violence.
Rubio has yet to explain why he voted no. But we're willing to bet it has something to do with spending and whatnot.
Rubio is not alone in objecting to the renewal. It still has to get past the House, where it has drawn objections and harrumph noises from Republicans.
Because, of course they don't approve.
Republican leaders, realizing that women didn't vote for them in November and won't be voting for them in the future, have pulled the ole Hey We're Working on Own Version of the Act.
But, of course, they have yet to present this erudite piece of legislation for everyone to see.
To be fair, VAWA is co-sponsored by Republican Mike Crapo of Idaho, and the renewal did get 23 votes from Republicans on Tuesday.
So they're not all complete jackasses about it.
Except, of course, the Savior.
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