Poll: Should Lawmaker be Barred from Speaking after 'Vagina' Remark?

A day after state House Rep. Lisa Brown used the word "vagina" while arguing against new abortion legislation, she was prohibited from speaking on the floor about an education bill.

While Brown (D-West Bloomfield), a Jewish mother of three, said she was not given a reason why Majority Floor Leader Jim Stamas (R-Midland) barred her from speaking on the education matter Thursday, she assumed it had to do with her earlier remarks that claimed House Bill 5711 forces contradictory religious beliefs upon her and others.

"Regardless of their reasoning, this is a violation of my First Amendment rights and directly impedes my ability to serve the people who elected me into office," Brown said in a release.

What got Brown in hot water? Here's what she said:

"Wherever there is a question of the life of the mother or that of the unborn child, Jewish law rules in favor of preserving the life of the mother," Brown said Wednesday. "I have not asked you to adopt and adhere to my religious beliefs. Why are you asking me to adopt yours?"

"Finally, Mr. Speaker, I'm flattered that you're all so interested in my vagina, but 'no' means 'no.'"

Majority Floor Leader Jim Stamas (R-Midland) determined Brown's comments violated the decorum of the House, said Ari Adler, spokesman for the Republican majority, The Detroit News reported.

What do you think?

Was Brown's use of the word "vagina" offensive? Did it warrant her being prohibited to speak Thursday? Vote in our poll below and leave your comments, too.