The good news is that the U.S. House has passed legislation reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) over objections from the National Rifle Association. Democrats were joined by 33 Republicans to reauthorize this critical law.

But despite clear bi-partisan support, this 25-year-old law to protect victims of domestic and sexual violence was opposed by all four of Arkansas’s U.S. Representatives.

Rep. Rick Crawford in the First District, Rep. French Hill in the Second District, Rep. Steve Womack in the Third District, and Rep. Bruce Westerman in the Fourth District all voted against this landmark law, which provides critical legal protections for women.

The Republican Congressmen from Arkansas – who failed in their effort to roll back protections for women – were more interested in following the orders of the National Rifle Association in Washington D.C. than looking out for their constituents back in Arkansas.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette notes the Violence Against Women Act, “closes the so-called boyfriend loophole by barring those convicted of abusing, assaulting or stalking a current or former dating partner from buying or owning a firearm.”

Arkansans want a Congressional delegation that protects women, not one that protects abusive ex-boyfriends and stalkers.

Elections are in 2020.