Rep. Jim Olsen said when asked to clarify his comments, according to KOCO-TV. "If I had my choice, I guess I'd be a slave. At least a slave has his life. Once your life is gone, it's gone.''
It was a busy and contentious deadline week at the Oklahoma State Capitol.
Most bills that do not deal with the state budget had to advance out of their final committee by Thursday. Several controversial bills did make the cut, while a tax cut project of the House speaker did not.
A bill to ban state agencies from mandating vaccines narrowly cleared committee with several exceptions for schools, hospitals and local governments.
A measure that would put doctors who perform abortions behind bars moved one step away from the governor s desk. During debate Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, said eliminating abortion is more important than the historical fight to irradicate slavery. He said he stands by that analogy.
When South Dakota lawmakers head back to the Capitol for a special session later this spring, it won t be to take up the topic of transgender sports participation. After a conference call between South Dakota legislative leaders and Republican Gov. Kristi Noem, a decision was made not to include a ban on transgender women and girls from playing women’s and girls sports on the list of potential bills.
Ex-Oklahoma lawmaker who asked Muslims if they beat their wives now running for GOP chairman msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Dems blast Oklahoma lawmaker who compared slavery, abortion
by Sean Murphy, The Associated Press
Posted Apr 8, 2021 11:43 am EDT
Last Updated Apr 8, 2021 at 11:44 am EDT
OKLAHOMA CITY A white Republican lawmaker from southeast Oklahoma is facing criticism for comparing lawmakers’ efforts to end abortion to the fight against slavery.
Rep. Jim Olsen, of Roland, made the comments Wednesday during a meeting of the House Public Health Committee that was considering several anti-abortion bills.
“None of us would like to be a slave,” Olsen said when asked to clarify his comments, according to KOCO-TV. “If I had my choice, I guess I’d be a slave. At least a slave has his life. Once your life is gone, it’s gone.”