South Dakota Democrats call for Republican behavior accountability

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) – Democrats are outnumbered by Republicans 94-11 in the South Dakota Legislature.

While admitting they know they need to work across the aisle to pass any legislation, two Democrats who serve in the state House of Representatives said they’d like to see some accountability for behavior viewed as inappropriate towards issues regarding women.

Democrat Rep. Kaydn Wittman and Democrat Rep. Erin Healy said they were disappointed with behavior regarding House Bill 1204 , which would establish a civil action for nonconsensual condom removal.

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The bill passed out of committee 8-4 but after being introduced on the House floor, a rarely-used procedure moved by Republican Rep. Phil Jensen ended all debate on the bill before it could start on Monday.

“I believe that Representative Wittman as well as those victims deserve an apology for how terribly they were treated,” Healy said during a leadership news conference Thursday . “No one was expecting that (procedure move) and if you go back and watch the video, you will see surprised faces.”

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