A bipartisan group of women senators waded into the ongoing drama over the NFL, Ray Rice and domestic violence. 

They sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell calling on the football league to institute a "real zero-tolerance policy" in such cases. 

The 16 signatories wrote that they were "shocked and disgusted" by the in-elevator video that surfaced of Ray Rice punching his then-fianceé in an elevator, and they pointed to the allegation that the NFL had possession of the video, which became public Monday, when it handed down its original lenient two-game suspension. 

"The NFL's current policy sends a terrible message to players, fans and all Americans that even after committing a horrific act of violence, you can quickly be back on the field," the senators wrote. 

The NFL recently changed its domestic violence punishment to a minimum suspension of six games for a first offense and a lifetime time ban for a second offense. 

"If you violently assault a woman, you shouldn't get a second chance to play football in the NFL," the senators wrote. 

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, recently told CNN that he would not "rule out" congressional action to force the NFL's hand on domestic abuse. 

Key events in the Ray Rice episode 

Ex-FBI director to investigate Ray Rice case 


Who had possession of the Price video?
allegation that the NFL had possession