More On Keith Rothfus And The Violence Against Women Act

Remember this blog post?

That's the one where I list the Pennsylvania members of the House of Representatives who voted NO! on reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act.

Well, take a look at this from today's P-G:

The headline on U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus' press release couldn't have been more clear: It said "Rothfus Votes to Reauthorize Violence Against Women Act." Ditto the statement from U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy's office: "Murphy Votes To Reauthorize Violence Against Women Act."

Except they didn't.

Both Western Pennsylvania Republicans voted against the version of the bill that passed the House by a vote of 286-138 last week. Just to be clear, they were among the 138 voting "No."

They weren't lying in their statements. Technically. Both congressmen had voted "Aye" on an earlier version of the bill, one introduced in the House that failed by a vote of 166-257. Their news releases explained that, but under the misleading headline.

My friends at the P-G are being perhaps a bit too nice with Mr. Rothfus.

This is his press release:

Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] released the following statement after voting for the House language reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act.

“It is important to prevent and prosecute violence against women,” said Rothfus. “The bill that I voted for today increases oversight and ensures that funds actually go to prosecuting perpetrators and providing much-needed services to victims.”

“Unfortunately, the Senate bill raises constitutional questions and could deprive certain Americans of Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights. Without the opportunity for the House Judiciary Committee to conduct hearings on the Senate bill, I could not support it.”

The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (S. 47) passed the House by a vote of 286-138. The House version of the bill failed by a vote of 166-257. S.47 now goes to the President for his signature.

If you didn't know the details only a very careful reading of this blurrying press release would lead you to a faithful representation of reality (something Rothfus is counting on, I suppose) .  Rothfus, as clearly explained by the P-G and as only vaguely hinted at in this otherwise obfuscating press release, voted AGAINST the bill headed to the President for his signature.

AGAINST.

The bill he voted FOR - failed in the House.

And yet the man has the audacity to headline his press release with:

Rothfus Votes to Reauthorize Violence Against Women Act

Yea - He voted for the one that failed.

This is beyond misleading.  This is a lie of omission plain and simple.

Tea Party Keith Rothfus - doesn't trust his constituents enough to tell them the truth.