House Republicans abruptly end debate as Democrats offer amendments to help poor women, children

The Home Republican majority flexed its muscle Tuesday and abruptly minimize off Democrats’ efforts to supply amendments that aimed to enhance the well being of poor Mississippi ladies and youngsters.

The controversy got here on Republican-authored Home Invoice 1671, which gives a number of tax credit for companies and people for making contributions to being pregnant disaster facilities that have been created to attempt to curb abortion within the state and for contributions to varied adoptions providers.

The invoice, Republican supporters mentioned, was designed to offer extra assist for girls and youngsters after the 2022 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court docket ending a nationwide proper to an abortion and leading to a close to whole abortion ban in Mississippi.

Democrats had deliberate to supply a number of extra amendments that they mentioned would offer extra assist for girls and youngsters, together with:

• Extending postpartum Medicaid protection for brand spanking new moms from 60 days to at least one yr as not less than 35 different states had finished.
• Rising welfare advantages for poor moms and youngsters.
• Putting extra oversight over the Mississippi Division of Human Companies on account of the continued scandal the place not less than $77 million in welfare funds have been misspent, ensuing within the prison conviction of some public officers and personal contractors.

“We let wealthy Mississippians steal welfare funds. This modification merely says we’ll increase the allotment for (poor) ladies and youngsters,” mentioned Rep. Robert Johnson, D-Natchez. “In case you don’t need to care for them within the hospital, not less than vote to feed them.”

However Democrats didn’t get the possibility to supply and debate most of their amendments. On motions by Rep. Steve Massengill, a New Albany Republican, the GOP majority voted to chop off debate on two Democratic amendments, although a handful of Republican members voted with Democrats to debate these points.

Then Rep. Jody Steverson, a Republican from Ripley, voted to cease the modification course of and to finish debate on the invoice. Steverson’s movement to finish debate prevailed 68-46, although 4 Republicans voted with the Democrats.

Earlier than the vote, numerous Democrats pleaded with their Republican colleagues that debate be allowed to proceed.

“These amendments are in help of ladies, households and youngsters within the state of Mississippi,” mentioned Zakiya Summers, a Democrat from Jackson. “…Let’s vote them up or down. That’s the course of.”

Johnson mentioned, “When a movement is made to desk an modification, which means they (Republicans) don’t need to hear what it’s important to say. Meaning they don’t they need anyone to know what we’re up right here doing. Meaning a difficulty as essential as moms, youngsters and the delivery and the life and the flexibility to outlive, no person desires to speak about it …The general public will know that not solely are you in opposition to ladies and youngsters, however in opposition to the democratic course of.”

READ MORE: How Home Republicans are avoiding powerful votes on well being care options

As Democrats made their case to Republican colleagues to permit debate on the amendments to proceed, a number of Home Republicans sitting within the chamber have been noticeably ignoring their Democratic colleagues. Republican Rep. Nick Bain, pictured above, tossed a ball and laughed loudly with a number of GOP colleagues as Summers spoke about the necessity to proceed debate and assist poor ladies.

The Republicans’ movement to chop off debate got here after Rep. Omeria Scott, a Democrat from Laurel, had opted to gradual the legislative course of down earlier Tuesday by requiring a handful of payments to be learn earlier than closing passage. Scott demanded the studying of payments after Speaker of the Home Philip Gunn prevented her from asking questions on a invoice. Gunn had dominated the time to ask questions had handed.

“The chairman requested me to do it,” Steverson mentioned when requested why he selected to make the movement to finish debate. “I used to be glad to do it. In the event that they (Democrats) need to lengthen the day, we will shorten the day. It’s a two-way road.”

Rep. Trey Lamar, the Republican from Senatobia and highly effective chairman of the Home Methods and Means Committee, mentioned the choice was made to chop off debate due to the invoice studying.

“It seemed prefer it was going to go on for some time,” Lamar mentioned.

Rep. Tommy Reynolds, a Democrat from Water Valley and one of many longest serving legislators within the Home, mentioned of the chopping off of the controversy: “The factor is, all of the cartilage that was there in years previous is now gone. It’s bone on bone … I miss moderation. However it’s not in style anymore lately.”