Maine Republicans Censured For Linking Mass Shooting To God’s Anger With Abortion Law | EUROtoday

Two Republican lawmakers in Maine have been censured on Thursday after the pair stated the state’s deadliest mass capturing was linked to God’s anger with a invoice that expanded entry to abortion.

Republican state Rep. Michael Lemelin spoke Wednesday a few proposal for a brand new “shield bill” that might defend out-of-state sufferers who search abortion or gender-affirming care in Maine. In his remarks, Lemelin stated abortion was “murder” and pointed to the implementation of one other abortion entry invoice on Oct. 25, the identical day a gunman killed 18 folks after he opened fireplace at a bowling alley and restaurant.

“[God] draws a line in the sand, and when we crossed that line there’s consequences,” the lawmaker stated on the chamber ground. “When [the law] passed and went into law on Oct. 25, you told God life doesn’t matter.”

“Keep in mind that the law came into effect on Oct. 25,” Lemelin continued. “God heard you and the horrible events on Oct. 25 happened.”

Another Republican lawmaker, state Rep. Shelley Rudnicki, rose and stated she agreed together with her colleague.

The two have been formally censured by the House on Thursday. They each apologized on the chamber ground.

The feedback initially prompted an instantaneous, bipartisan rebuke from others in Maine’s Democrat-led House of Representatives. State Rep. Rachel Henderson (R) stated she didn’t agree with the invoice, however known as Lemelin’s feedback “reprehensible.”

“Although it’s not my place, I apologize to every member who was here and heard that and took offense,” Henderson stated on the chamber ground. “I’m proud of where I stand. I’m proud of the positions that I take, but tonight I am not proud to be a Republican.”

State House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross despatched letters to each lawmakers, calling the feedback “extremely offensive and intentionally harmful to the victims and families” of the mass capturing in Lewiston, Maine.

“To make satisfaction, you must issue a formal apology, which you will read on the House floor,” Talbot Ross wrote in every letter. “You must accept sole and full responsibility for the incident and publicly apologize to your constituents, the victims, and families of the Lewiston tragedy, the greater Lewiston community, and the people of Maine.”

She added the House would vote on a censure movement on Thursday, and stated they might each be barred from talking on the chamber ground or voting till they apologized.

“Your actions are deserving of the most serious consequences this body can deliver,” Talbot Ross wrote.

A censure — which is uncommon within the Maine House, in accordance with The Bangor Daily News — requires a two-thirds vote of the chamber. Democrats maintain an 80-68 majority.