Current:Home > InvestFiery debate over proposed shield law leads to rare censure in Maine House-LoTradeCoin
Fiery debate over proposed shield law leads to rare censure in Maine House
View Date:2024-12-24 00:04:23
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Fiery debate over a bill to protect health care workers who provide abortion and gender-affirming care from out-of-state lawsuits crossed a line in the Maine House, leading lawmakers to formally censure a pair of colleagues on Thursday.
Rep. Michael Lemelin, R-Chelsea, said the mass shooting last October in Lewiston, Maine, that claimed 18 lives and recent storms were God’s revenge for “immoral” laws adopted by legislators, and he described the shield bill as “inspired by Lucifer himself.” Another lawmaker, Rep. Shelley Rudnicki, of Fairfield, announced that she agreed with Lemelin’s remarks.
House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross told Lemelin in a letter that the remarks were “extremely offensive and intentionally harmful to the victims and the families of the Lewiston tragedy, the House of Representatives, and the people of Maine.”
Both Lemelin and Rudnicki both delivered brief, identical apologies on the House floor, allowing them to resume their ability speak and vote.
The Democratic-led chamber advanced the legislation on an 80—70 vote Wednesday evening in the House in which several Republicans focused on the underlying law that allows minors to receive abortions and gender-affirming care under certain circumstances. Critics said the bill could lead to kidnapping and trafficking of out-of-state teens.
But Democratic Rep. Sam Zager, D-Portland, said the standards of care laid out for medical providers require a robust process for whether someone has gender dysphoria and is eligible for gender-affirming care.
“This is not somebody whisked away for a weekend making a declaration and having surgery. It is very deliberate and very meticulous and is not done expediently,” said Zager, who is a physician.
The sponsor of the bill suggested lawmakers were getting sidetracked by emotional topics of abortion and gender-affirming care instead of focusing on Maine from out-of-state interference in its affairs. “This bill is about our state’s sovereign ability to set and enforce our laws without interference from Texas, Tennessee or Kentucky,” said Rep. Amy Kuhn, D-Falmouth.
Abortion is legal in Maine at all stages of pregnancy with a doctor’s approval. And lawmakers last year approved a bill to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to receive limited gender-affirming care, which does not include surgery, without parental consent.
veryGood! (5)
Related
- Anti-abortion advocates press Trump for more restrictions as abortion pill sales spike
- Fumes from Petroleum Tanks in this City Never Seem to Go Away. What Are the Kids Here Breathing?
- Get a $39 Deal on $118 Worth of Peter Thomas Roth Skincare Products
- Allison Holker Shares How Her 3 Kids Are Coping After Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ Death
- 4 charged in Detroit street shooting that left 2 dead, 5 wounded
- Congress Launches Legislative Assault on Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan
- Vanderpump Rules Alum Kristen Doute Weighs In on Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss’ Affair
- You'll Flip a Table Over These Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 13 Reunion Looks
- Prominent conservative lawyer Ted Olson, who argued Bush recount and same-sex marriage cases, dies
- Is Climate Change Ruining the Remaining Wild Places?
Ranking
- Kim Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian Team Up for SKIMS Collab With Dolce & Gabbana After Feud
- Martin Hoffert
- Not Sure What to Wear Under Low Cut, Backless Looks? Kim Kardashian's SKIMS Drops New Shapewear Solutions
- James F. Black
- A pregnant woman sues for the right to an abortion in challenge to Kentucky’s near-total ban
- EPA Finding on Fracking’s Water Pollution Disputed by Its Own Scientists
- Not Sure What to Wear Under Low Cut, Backless Looks? Kim Kardashian's SKIMS Drops New Shapewear Solutions
- Kim Kardashian Defends Her American Horror Story Acting Role Amid Criticism
Recommendation
-
Engines on 1.4 million Honda vehicles might fail, so US regulators open an investigation
-
Trendsetting Manhattan Leads in Methane Leaks, Too
-
Selling Sunset Turns Up the Heat With New Competition in Explosive Season 6 Trailer
-
Gwyneth Paltrow Reveals How Chris Martin Compares to Her Other Exes
-
Joel Embiid injury, suspension update: When is 76ers star's NBA season debut?
-
Why keeping girls in school is a good strategy to cope with climate change
-
Trendsetting Manhattan Leads in Methane Leaks, Too
-
Apple event: What to know about its Vision Pro virtual reality headset release