Happy Valentine's Day, John:

While many of us celebrate love and relationships on this holiday, for
many women it is painful and scary because of the hurt and abuse they have
experienced. It’s a pain I know too well. A sexual assault and dating
violence survivor, for years this day was more about fear and pain than
about love and support. We can, and should, change that for so many women
across the country.

Recently, the House voted to pass the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA),
which ensures basic protections for sexual assault survivors and prevents
convicted abusers from being able to purchase firearms.

Even in this divisive moment in our politics, 33 House Republicans
understood that passing this bill is the right thing to do.

But when the bill arrived in the Senate, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst failed to
do the same. It’s clear that the $3.3 million Ernst received from the NRA
last year was on her mind when she blocked the Violence Against Women Act
from going to a vote — allowing stalkers & abusers to keep their guns.

We need to make it clear to Joni that this bill can mean life or death for
thousands of women, and that she must stand up to the NRA. That’s why DFA
is teaming up with Be A Hero to deliver a giant Valentine's Day card to
Joni's office demanding she vote to close the Boyfriend Loophole and pass
the Violence Against Women Act.

[ [link removed] ]Will you join us in calling on Ernst to do the right thing by adding
your name to the card now?

[ [link removed] ]ADD YOUR NAME

This is how broken our political system is — our Senators can’t even do
the right thing when it comes to protecting sexual assault survivors.

But with all the work we’re doing to target vulnerable Republican Senators
— they’re scared of being the next target and facing our fury.

If Ernst receives a card on Valentine’s Day with thousands of signatures
telling her to vote for the Violence Against Women Act, she’ll know that a
massive wave of grassroots resistance is waiting if she fails to act.

[ [link removed] ]Please add your name and help make this card a powerful message to Sen.
Joni Ernst that we refuse to sit by as she chooses special interests over
survivors.

Thanks,

-Yvette

Yvette Simpson, CEO
Democracy for America



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