Lawmaker accuses GOP of trying to 'oppress' Indians in Montana

Monday, January 31, 2011  

An Indian lawmaker in Montana apologized after accusing Republicans of "hatred" and of trying to "oppress" American Indians.

Rep. Carolyn Pease-Lopez (D) was upset that Republicans stripped a vote-by-mail bill of provisions to address Indian voters. "I feel so much hatred from your caucus," she said at a meeting last Thursday, according to news reports.

"I feel like if it was up to you, we'd all be dead!" Pease-Lopez, a member of the Crow Tribe, continued. "But we're going to keep having babies and continue to live and thrive ... no matter how much you try to oppress us."

Lawmakers killed the bill later that but Republicans weren't too happy with Pease-Lopez's comments. She offered a formal apology on the House floor on Saturday.

Get the Story:
Lawmaker apologizes for comment to Republicans over bill amendment (Montana Watchdog 1/29)
Racial tensions boil over on vote-by-mail bill (The Billings Gazette 1/29)
Mont mail ballot bill fails amid racism allegation (AP 1/28)