Franken proposed the amendment after learning of the case of former KBR employee Jamie Leigh Jones, who claimed she was drugged, beaten and gang-raped while working in Baghdad. Because of a clause in her contract, Jones was limited to taking her case to an arbitrator until she filed suit in court and eventually won a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, which allowed her to proceed with her case. KBR is fighting the ruling.

 

Franken’s amendment won a vote in the Senate, 68-30, with 10 Republicans voting yes and 30 voting no. Those opposing it have come under attack, and ridicule, from commentators and organizations saying the Republicans’ votes are tantamount to sympathizing with rapists.

 

What seems to really upset the 30 Republicans currently on the defense is that Franken, normally one of their favorite targets, has not himself criticized them publically for their votes. Some of them are now almost begging Franken to say something. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who voted against the anti-rape amendment, said, “I think it would be helpful for Sen. Franken to come forward and say, ‘I’m not suggesting that anybody who votes [against] my amendment is indifferent to crimes against women or anybody else.’”

 

Meanwhile, in addition to trying to fend off arguments that their votes showed they care more about the profits of defense contractors than about the rights of rape victims, the 30 Republicans have had to endure satirical attacks such as the web site Republicans for Rape.

-Noel Brinkerhoff, David Wallechinsky

 

Franken Fallout has GOP Fuming (by Manu Raju, Politico)

Rape-Nuts (The Daily Show)

Republicans for Rape (satire)