LANSING, Mich. (USA TODAY) — Two state lawmakers were not allowed to speak on the Michigan House floor in its final day before summer break after comments they made the previous day during an emotional abortion-rights debate.
The two Democrats — Rep. Lisa Brown of West Bloomfield, Mich., and Barb Byrum of Onondaga, Mich. — were silenced Thursday when Brown tried to speak on an unrelated bill and Byrum wanted to introduce a group of visitors from her district.
By Friday, pundits, bloggers and cable TV analysts were weighing in.
What did Brown and Byrum do to warrant the silent treatment?
Brown, who voted against the abortion regulations, told supporters of the bill: "I'm flattered you're all so interested in my vagina. But no means no," referencing the proposal.
Byrum was gaveled out of order after she protested when she wasn't allowed to speak on her amendment, which would have required proof of a medical emergency or that a man's life was in danger before a doctor could perform a vasectomy.
The House bill, ****** on a 70-39 vote, mandates sweeping new regulations and insurance requirements for abortion providers; makes it a crime to ****** a woman into having an abortion, and regulates the disposal of ***** remains. Republicans hold the majority in the 110-member state House, 64-46.
The legislation won't be taken up in the state Senate until at least September.
Ari Adler, spokesman for Speaker of the House Jase Bolger, a Republican from Marshall, Mich., said it was the prerogative of Majority Floor Leader Jim Stamas, a Midland, Mich., Republican to keep order and decorum.
"House Republicans often go beyond simply allowing debate by welcoming open and passionate discussion," Adler said Thursday. "The only way we can continue doing so, however, is to ensure that the proper level of maturity and civility are maintained on the House floor."
Republican state Rep. Lisa Lyons of Alto, Mich., said she was offended by Brown's language and that the speaking ban was appropriate.
"There have been many occasions of inappropriate behavior by men on the floor, and they haven't lost their voice," Brown said. "I was speaking to the bill at hand, I didn't use any curse words and I was using anatomically correct language."
Inside Michigan Politics editor and former legislator Bill Ballenger said he was surprised by comments during the debate, including a suggestion from Democratic state Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Detroit that women withhold sex from their partners until such abortion-limiting bills stopped being considered.
(Tlaib, for the record, was not hushed.)
"Those comments were really over the top," he said. "But the idea of muzzling an elected official is not only counterintuitive but outrageous."
