The Ms. Foundation for Women today, Feb. 27, has just released a “Taylor Swift - 22” parody video in an effort to expose the 22 male senators who voted against the reauthorization of The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA).
VAWA was first enacted on September 13, 1994 and has continuously been reauthorized since that time, but the Act was allowed to expire in 2011 because of objections to expanded protections for immigrant, Native American and LGBTQ women. On Feb. 22, House Republican leaders unveiled a “watered-down” version of the Act that excludes LGBTQ protections and alters language related to Native American victims of domestic violence.
In the video, a Taylor Swift look-alike calls out all 22 male senators by name, which is a play on Swift's song “22.” The singer and her friends interact with a Marco Rubio impersonator, in a scene referencing the water-sipping moment during Rubio's response to President Obama's State of the Union address. Visit here to watch the video.
Earlier this month, the Senate passed an inclusive version of the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization bill with the support of all senators except:
- John Barrasso (Wyo.)
- Roy Blunt (Mo.)
- John Boozman (Ark.)
- Tom Coburn (Okla.)
- John Cornyn (Texas)
- Ted Cruz (Texas)
- Mike Enzi (Wyo.)
- Lindsey Graham (S.C.)
- Chuck Grassley (Iowa)
- Orrin Hatch (Utah)
- James Inhofe (Okla.)
- Mike Johanns (Neb.)
- Ron Johnson (Wisc.)
- Mike Lee (Utah)
- Mitch McConnell (Ky.)
- Rand Paul (Ky.)
- Jim Risch (Idaho)
- Pat Roberts (Kansas)
- Marco Rubio (Fla.)
- Jeff Sessions (Ala.)
- John Thune (S.D.)
- Tim Scott (S.C.).
According to the Ms. Foundation for Women, one in four women have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner. Between 1993 and 2010, the Violence Against Women Act helped decrease intimate partner violence by 67 percent. The House is expected to vote on the bill later this week. For more information or to get involved, visit http://chn.ge/YzAHCG.
For business inquiries or questions email Yvonne. Check out Yvonne’s other columns on Pop Culture, Dating, Makeup, Self-Awareness, Sports and News. Connect with Yvonne on Twitter, Facebook and Google Plus.
©Yvonne P. Mazzulo, All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced without prior permissions from the author.
Comments