Michigan lawmaker ban from speaking on house floor after saying the word ‘vagina’

The Michigan House of Representatives banned Rep. Lisa Brown (D) from speaking after she opposed anti-abortion bill and using the word ‘vagina’.  The bill still passed 70-39, which is allegedly the most restrictive bill any state passed thus far.  HB 5711 bans all abortions after 20 weeks, even if it would save the mother’s life.

"I'm flattered that you're all so interested my vagina," Rep. Lisa Brown said, addressing the Speaker of the House, "but 'no' means 'no.'"

While speaking on MSNBC Rachel Maddow show, she said, “I think the government has no business being in my private business.”

After protesting and saying the word ‘vagina’, declaring she is Jewish, keeps Kosher, and telling everyone, "I have not asked you to adopt and adhere to my religious beliefs. Why are you asking me to adopt yours?” Republican lawmakers banned her from speaking.

Brown, a West Bloomfield Democrat and mother of three, said a package of abortion regulation bills would violate her Jewish religious beliefs and that abortions be allowed in cases where it is required to save the life of the mother.

Rep. Mike Callton (R) declared what she said offensive and added, "It was so offensive, I don't even want to say it in front of women. I would not say that in mixed company."

Brown replied, “If I can't say the word vagina, why are we legislating vaginas?  What language should I use?”  She even noted the word is a proper medical term.

The House also banned Rep. Barb Byrum from speaking after she introduced an amendment to the bill that would ban vasectomies and said, “If we truly want to make sure children are born, we would regulate vasectomies.”

The House did not state how long either congress woman was banned from speaking.

Brown believes that the House is banning the word ‘vagina’.

"Frankly, using the word vagina—that is what this legislation is regulating," Brown told guest host Ezra Klein, adding she was not told why or how long she was barred from speaking.

House Speaker James Bolger told MSNBC that Brown was not banned for the use of the word ‘vagina’, but rather for the context, she used the word.

According to the bill, doctors would need to make funeral arrangements for the remains of the fetus aborted before 20 weeks, despite a doctor pointing out that the fetus looks like a tadpole at the point in gestation.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D) recommended all women stop having sex with men if the bill passed, but was not ban from speaking.

Brown is receiving support from Democrats, constituents, and people all across the country.

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Mriana

Mriana is a humanist and the author of "A Source of Misery". She has two grown sons and raises cats. She enjoys writing, reading, science, philosophy, psychology, and other subjects. Mriana is also an animal lover, who cares for their welfare as living beings, who are part of the earth. She is a huge Star Trek fan in a little body.

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