February 25, 2009 10:08 AM

HIV comments upset some Democrats

A Republican lawmaker voted "no" against a bill that requires pregnant women be tested for HIV. His remarks outraged some Democrats.
"We do things continually to remove the consequences of poor behavior," said Sen. Dave Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs, who also talked about "sexual promiscuity."
Sen. Lois Tochtrop, D-Adams County, a nurse, pointed out that people get AIDS from blood transfusions, also. The tests are to help prevent the transfer of HIV from an infected mother to her baby, she said, and mothers have the option to refuse to take the test.
Afterward, Sen. Jennifer Veiga, D-Denver, said she was upset that Republicans - particularly those in leadership - didn't protest his comments. She said Schultheis' comments are "a thing of the 70s."
She complained to the Senate minority leader Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, who later pointed out he co-sponsored the bill. He said he wasn't going to start censuring his members.

Posted by Lynn Bartels at 10:08 AM | Comments (0)