( CNN ) -- For Sen. Richard Blumenthal , the Ravens ' firing of running back Ray Rice on Monday does n't come close to addressing how the NFL deals with domestic violence . He said the league `` deserves special scrutiny '' for such matters . Blumenthal said he wo n't `` rule out '' Congressional involvement to pressure the NFL to alter its `` deep-seated fundamental far-reaching problem '' involving domestic abuse . The Connecticut Democrat , who has been a sharp critic of the NFL 's handling of domestic violence issues , said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell 's leadership has been `` completely lacking , '' adding that it should not require recorded evidence to punish someone for abuse . As football season finished its opening weekend , Congress pounced on a variety of issues in addition to domestic abuse . Members of Congress are up in arms over NFL-imposed media blackouts of games and the league 's tax-exempt status . While Congress has n't done anything about it , it holds the league 's antitrust exemption over its head to ensure the league stays in line . The NFL works to keep Congress at bay , too . Its political donations favor incumbents and are divided mostly equally between Republicans and Democrats . The NFL 's lobbying activity spiked after 2006 to more than $ 1 million per year , according to the Center for Responsive Politics . `` There 's only one NFL , so by definition it gets special treatment , '' Blumenthal said . Reactions pour in . Lesson of Ray Rice case : Stop blaming victim .
Sen. Richard Blumenthal says the NFL needs to do more to combat domestic abuse . The league has been criticized for not doing enough in recent years on issues of violence against women and children. Video shows Rice punching future wife , who lunges at him ; he hits back , she falls to floor . Blumenthal wo n't `` rule out '' Congressional involvement in NFL .