A controversy is born after 2 Michigan lawmakers' comments in abortion debate
June 15, 2012
State Reps. Lisa Brown, D-West Bloomfield, left, and Barb Byrum, D-Onondaga, were scolded over their remarks related to abortion. / File photos
The debate over proposed new abortion regulations in the state
House this week was heated, loud, even graphic, with words like
"vagina," "vasectomy" and "stirrups" being mentioned.
The words didn't stop passage of the legislation, but they did get two Democratic lawmakers -- state Reps. Lisa Brown of West Bloomfield and Barb Byrum of Onondaga -- silenced Thursday from speaking about any issue before the House on its final day of session before the Legislature's summer break.
Brown and Byrum were told they wouldn't be recognized to speak because of comments they made Wednesday during the emotional abortion-rights debate.
Brown found out when she tried to speak on a bill that would change retirement benefits on teachers. Byrum wanted to introduce a group of visitors from her district who were watching the session. She was told she couldn't speak.
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, passed on a 70-39 vote, mandates sweeping new regulations and insurance requirements for abortion providers; makes it a crime to coerce a woman into having an abortion, and regulates the disposal of fetal remains. It won't be taken up in the state Senate until at least September.
Ari Adler, spokesman for Speaker of the House Jase Bolger, R-Marshall, said it was the prerogative of Majority Floor Leader Jim Stamas, R-Midland, to keep order and decorum.
They "will not be recognized to speak on the House floor today after being gaveled down for their comments and actions yesterday that failed to maintain the decorum of the House of Representatives," Adler said.
"House Republicans often go beyond simply allowing debate by welcoming open and passionate discussion," he added. "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."
State Rep. Lisa Lyons, R-Alto, said the speaking ban was appropriate.
"I was personally offended by Rep. Lisa Brown's disgraceful actions during Wednesday floor debate," she said. "I fully support Majority Floor Leader Jim Stamas' decision to maintain professionalism and order on the House floor."
Brown and Byrum said they were dumbfounded.
"I don't have a history of being violent or out of line," Byrum said. "But I do speak my mind. I have given them no reason except that I disagreed with them and offered an amendment that they did not like."
Brown said the ban was unprofessional and outrageous.
"There have been many occasions of inappropriate behavior by men on the floor, and they haven't lost their voice," she 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 the comments during the debate, including a suggestion from state Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-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."
The words didn't stop passage of the legislation, but they did get two Democratic lawmakers -- state Reps. Lisa Brown of West Bloomfield and Barb Byrum of Onondaga -- silenced Thursday from speaking about any issue before the House on its final day of session before the Legislature's summer break.
Brown and Byrum were told they wouldn't be recognized to speak because of comments they made Wednesday during the emotional abortion-rights debate.
Brown found out when she tried to speak on a bill that would change retirement benefits on teachers. Byrum wanted to introduce a group of visitors from her district who were watching the session. She was told she couldn't speak.
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, passed on a 70-39 vote, mandates sweeping new regulations and insurance requirements for abortion providers; makes it a crime to coerce a woman into having an abortion, and regulates the disposal of fetal remains. It won't be taken up in the state Senate until at least September.
Ari Adler, spokesman for Speaker of the House Jase Bolger, R-Marshall, said it was the prerogative of Majority Floor Leader Jim Stamas, R-Midland, to keep order and decorum.
They "will not be recognized to speak on the House floor today after being gaveled down for their comments and actions yesterday that failed to maintain the decorum of the House of Representatives," Adler said.
"House Republicans often go beyond simply allowing debate by welcoming open and passionate discussion," he added. "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."
State Rep. Lisa Lyons, R-Alto, said the speaking ban was appropriate.
"I was personally offended by Rep. Lisa Brown's disgraceful actions during Wednesday floor debate," she said. "I fully support Majority Floor Leader Jim Stamas' decision to maintain professionalism and order on the House floor."
Brown and Byrum said they were dumbfounded.
"I don't have a history of being violent or out of line," Byrum said. "But I do speak my mind. I have given them no reason except that I disagreed with them and offered an amendment that they did not like."
Brown said the ban was unprofessional and outrageous.
"There have been many occasions of inappropriate behavior by men on the floor, and they haven't lost their voice," she 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 the comments during the debate, including a suggestion from state Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-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."
Vagina remarks, silencing of Michigan lawmakers draws firestorm online
11:00 AM, June 15, 2012
'Vaginas aren't dirty, even in Michigan'
Naomi McAuliffe writes for The Guardian“Apparently, when discussing a medical procedure, it's not really appropriate to use medical words. Well not about lady bits anyway. It makes me wonder what euphemisms would be acceptable. "Will the representative get his hand out of the otter's pocket?" "Can the honourable gentleman refrain from trespassing in the lady cave?"”
'Lawmaker banned from speaking after referring to her vagina in abortion debate'
Allison Yarrow from the Daily Beast writes:“Brown said that the Republican leadership did not tell her why she was banned. In her brief floor remarks Wednesday, she also explained that as a Jewish woman, she chooses to keep kosher in her home, and that she also abided by the Jewish tenet dating back to the biblical era that “abortions performed in order to preserve the life of the mother are not only permissible, but mandatory.” ”
'Say it with me: 'Vagina! Vagina! Vagina!' '
New Statesman's Sarah Ditum adds:"But whether you've got a foof or a fandando, a growler or a ladygarden (or even an Iron Ladygarden), the important thing is that you're on first-name terms with it. As the Michigan incident tells us, those who want to control women's bodies also want to treat that body as an obscenity. The best answer to people like Mike Callton is simply to say the word: vagina, vagina, vagina."
' 'Vagina' Is Too Lewd for Michigan State Republicans'
Connor Simpson from The Atlantic wire:"Someone uttered the horribly offensive, borderline criminal V-word during a Michigan House of Representatives debate over an abortion bill. Which is to say, a woman said "vagina," and now Republicans are mad about it."
'Female legislator who dared Say 'vagina' during abortion debate banned from speaking on House floor'
Jezebel.com's Erin Gloria Ryan writes:"Rather than be a manly man and tell the women to their face that they had upset the Speaker, Bolger acted like a mincing, spineless ninny and relayed the women's speaking ban through their party's House leader. He gave no explanation as to why the women were banned, so both are left guessing (and fuming) today. ...
Women have been absent from the debate around a bill that seeks to govern their bodies from Day 1. During committee, no pro-choice women were allowed to speak. Planned Parenthood was barred from testifying. And now this — two pro-choice female legislators all-out banned from voicing an opinion on the state's role in their anatomy. … Let this be a lesson to you, women: shut up and let men do all the deciding about your bodies."
'Michigan GOP Bans Lawmaker for Using the V-Word'
Noreen Malone from nymag.com adds:"An excellent question! What term do Callton & Co. prefer, if not the clinical one? Hoo-ha? Vajajay? Ladybits? The Cave of Forgotten Dreams? Literally, these are the only less-explicit ways of referring to female genitalia in polite company, and frankly, they are not exactly dignified. (Except vajajay, because Oprah uses it, so American medical textbooks might be updating any minute now.)"
' #VaginaMovieLines: Using the v word to tackle anti-abortion laws'
Nicky Clark from The Independent says:"So the overreaction to Rep Lisa Brown and member Barb Byrum’s intelligent and articulate attempts to offer amendments and voice freely their objections to the state interference in women’s rights, drew a disappointing yet predictable response. The were silenced."
' 'Vagina' is the New 'Voldemort' '
Sarah Mirk from The Portland Mercury quips:"From now on, people in Michigan must refer to 'v—————' as 'one's squiggly bits.' That is all."
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