Yesterday, Michigan House Republican Speaker Jase Bolger BANNED two female House Democratic members from speaking on the House floor – disenfranchising more than 180,000 Michiganders from having their voices represented.
Why?
Because they dared to speak up for women.
Please sign our “STOP SILENCING WOMEN” petition TODAY to demand that Republican Speaker Jase Bolger allow Rep. Barb Byrum and Rep. Lisa Brown to speak on the House floor.
House Bill 5711, one of the most sweeping and restrictive anti-choice pieces of legislation offered in state legislatures across the country, was rammed through the Michigan House on Wednesday.
Rep. Barb Byrum (D-Onondaga) tried to offer an amendment and was gaveled down without even being recognized.
Rep. Lisa Brown (D–West Bloomfield) dared say the word “vagina” when talking about a bill that severely limits women’s rights to basic health care and reproductive health centers.
Both Democratic members were banned from speaking on the House floor because the Republicans were too offended.
The Republicans’ backwards position was summed up by their member Rep. Mike Callton (R-Nashville) who was referring to Rep. Brown when he said, “What she said was offensive. It was so offensive, I don’t even want to say it in front of women. I would not say that in mixed company.” This wouldn’t be so ridiculous if this Republican Representative wasn’t a trained health care professional.
Thank you for standing up for women.
Sincerely,
Kate Segal
House Democratic Floor Leader
