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AUGUSTA, Maine — A Republican lawmaker used a floor speech late Wednesday to blame an abortion-rights expansion passed by Democrats last year for a reaction from God that caused the Lewiston mass shooting.
Rep. Michael Lemelin, R-Chelsea, was speaking on the House floor against a “shield bill” backed by Democrats that aims to protect out-of-state patients who get abortions or gender-affirming care here from legal action in conservative-led states. His comments centered on a controversial bill passed last year that allowed doctors to perform abortions after viability.
In a floor speech, Lemelin called abortion “murder” and said “transgender is a slap in God’s face.” He then noted that last year’s abortion law took effect on Oct. 25, the same day of the shooting that killed 18 people and injured another 13 at a Lewiston bowling alley and bar.
“God heard you, and the horrible events on Oct. 25 happened,” Lemelin said.
The lawmaker was ruled out of order by House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, after Rep. Marc Malon, D-Biddeford, rose to raise a point of order that Lemelin’s remarks were violating House rules against impugning members and asked him to “stand down.”
Rep. Shelley Rudnicki, R-Fairfield, then rose to say she agreed with everything Lemelin had said. The Democratic-led chamber then voted 80-70 for the so-called shield bill sponsored by Rep. Anne Perry, D-Calais.