{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.heller.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=0ed91157-eb4b-43a7-9e08-3fb3db57d813", "Heller Stands Up to NFL to Protect Survivors of Domestic Abuse", "2014-09-10", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "NV", "Dean Heller", "H001041", "www.heller.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV), ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance, sent the following letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell prompted by recent events surrounding the NFL\u2019s actions in response to the acts of domestic violence conducted by members of the NFL:\r\n\u201cAs a father of two daughters, ending domestic violence has always been a top priority of mine. I\u2019ve supported legislation against domestic abuse, held roundtables combating sexual assault on college campuses, and served as a staunch supporter in protecting women from violent acts by their loved ones. Addressing these issues transcends politics and is the main reason I\u2019ve worked in a bipartisan manner to combat them. The prevalence of domestic abuse must not be tolerated in our society. \r\n\u201cAs one of the most watched enterprises in the world, the actions of the NFL and its members touch the lives of many people around the world. Because of this, I believe the NFL has a duty to serve as a steward in combating domestic violence. Furthermore, the head of the NFL, Commissioner Goodell must understand the scope and severity of domestic abuse acts. Judging from his actions, it\u2019s time for the NFL to step its game up on this important matter.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nA copy of the letter may be found below: \r\nSeptember 10, 2014\r\nMr. Roger Goodell\r\nCommissioner\r\nNational Football League\r\n280 Park Avenue, 15th Floor\r\nNew York, NY 10017\r\n\r\nDear Commissioner Goodell:\r\nAs Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety and Insurance with jurisdiction over the National Football League (NFL), I write to you today in regard to the NFL\u2019s actions in response to the acts of domestic violence conducted by former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice.\r\nAs a father of two daughters, protecting women from domestic violence has been, and will always be, one of my top priorities in Congress. The prevalence of abuse of women, whether physical, sexual, or psychological, is something that simply cannot be tolerated in our society. It is why I was proud to cosponsor and support the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, which was signed into law in 2013 to provide critical support and services for survivors of domestic violence and to hold abusers accountable. It is also why I have worked with members on both sides of the aisle to introduce the Campus Accountability and Safety Act to address the problem of sexual assaults on our nation\u2019s college campuses.\r\nAccording to the Department of Justice, it is estimated that there are 960,000 reported cases of domestic violence each year. Eighty-five percent of the victims are female and twenty-five percent of women experience domestic violence during their life.\u00a0 It is a social epidemic that lives in the worst corners of society and public leaders in positions such as yours as Commissioner of the NFL must be vigilant when situations arise within your organization to be a leader to stop crimes against women.\r\nAfter viewing both the shocking video and your interview on broadcast television, I am extremely concerned given the resources of the NFL that not one person within your organization knew anything about the existence of the elevator video before it surfaced on September 8th.\u00a0 The security of the NFL is first rate and your qualified security professionals hold those positions due in part to their ability to obtain facts quickly and accurately through their expansive network.\u00a0\u00a0\r\nI fear the failure of the NFL to understand the scope and severity of this act of domestic violence has already led to significant damage for vulnerable members of society.\u00a0 Moreover, I am highly disappointed the NFL\u2019s reaction was only heightened once the public witnessed the elevator video.\u00a0 By waiting to act until it was made public you effectively condoned the action of the perpetrator himself.\u00a0 I cannot and will not tolerate that position by anybody let alone the National Football League.\r\nThis incident of domestic violence is not limited to just Ray Rice, rather I believe it is indicative of a larger pattern within the NFL. Currently, Greg Hardy, a defensive end for the Carolina Panthers is eligible to play for the team while his appeal on the conviction for assaulting his former girlfriend and threatening to kill her is pending.\r\nIn addition, according to press reports, since 2000, 85 of the 713 arrest of NFL players have been domestic violence accounts.\u00a0 Until last month, the punishments typically were a suspension for one or two games, lacking consistency for the violation committed.\u00a0 While the NFL did adopt new standards of punishment for domestic assault, I am now uncertain whether your role as the sole decider on punishment by the League provides the necessary transparency to properly hold those associated with the NFL accountable for acts of domestic violence.\r\nThat is why I am requesting that you provide a detailed response to the following:\r\n1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Please provide me a detailed explanation regarding your actions in response to the acts of domestic violence conducted by former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice.\r\n2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Please provide all information regarding whether anyone in the NFL knew about the elevator video, if so, when did they know, who did they tell and why did it not get to you.\u00a0\r\n3)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Please provide your process for determining whether a player has violated NFL rules and is subject to suspension when arrested for domestic violence.\r\n4)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Please outline your plans to address the harm your league has inflicted on survivors of domestic violence going forward.\r\nThe answers to these questions will be of great assistance as I continue to follow the actions of the NFL and your stewardship to hold your league to a standard that the American public expects.\r\nThank you and I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.\u00a0\r\nSincerely,\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 DEAN HELLER\r\n\u00a0 U.S. Senator\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.heller.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=0ed91157-eb4b-43a7-9e08-3fb3db57d813"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5583992935717106, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}