172 Republicans voted to oppose the Violence Against Women Act and people are furious

People online are expressing their anger after 172 Republicans voted against anti-domestic violence laws in the immediate aftermath of a series of deadly attacks on women.

This act passed after 29 Republicans joined forces with the Democrats, who control Congress, leading the final vote to be 224 to 194.

The Violence Against Women Act “creates and supports comprehensive, cost-effective responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking”, according to the National Network to End Domestic Violence.

In a statement, they said the group “applauds the bill’s lead sponsors Sheila Jackson (D-TX), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Jerry Nadler (D-NY), and all those who voted for the VAWA’s passage”.

The group’s president Deborah Vagins said it was a vote “to support survivors... that both maintains established protections and resources and expands VAWA to address ongoing gaps in the law.”

“The pandemic continues to reveal deep racial and gender inequalities that impact survivors’ lives and jeopardise their safety”.

Much has been said about Covid-19 exacerbating already existing societal injustices, such as domestic violence.

However, people were quick to point out the high number of Republicans who did not support the legislation, which many said felt particularly outrageous in light of a mass shooting that killed eight women in Atlanta.

The bill was authored by President Joe Biden back when we serving as the vice president under President Barack Obama, but its protection expired two years ago during President Donald Trump’s term.