Click here to subscribe today or Login.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — An unexpected turn of phrase upended a debate over abortion in the Missouri House on Tuesday.
While attempting to criticize the extent of federal authority exercised in the so-called Freedom of Choice Act suggested by some congressional Democrats, state Rep. Bryan Stevenson, a Webb City Republican, referred to the Civil War as the “War of Northern Aggression.”
“What we are dealing with today is the greatest power grab by the federal government since the War of Northern Aggression,” Stevenson said.
The statement drew an audible gasp from the chamber. State Rep. Don Calloway, a St. Louis Democrat, demanded an apology.
Stevenson immediately retracted his statement, assuring he meant no ill will toward anyone and raising his own Cherokee Indian heritage as proof of his sensitivity to slavery.
“I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize for any offense that my earlier comment made,” he said.