"Maine House Considers Censuring Republican for Linking Mass Shooting to Abortion Law"

Maine Republican lawmaker Michael Lemelin drew bipartisan criticism after blaming a mass shooting in Lewiston on God's reaction to an abortion law, calling it "Lucifer himself." His remarks were ruled out of order by House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, and fellow Republican Rep. Shelley Rudnicki expressed agreement. The Democratic-led chamber voted 80-70 for a bill protecting out-of-state patients who get abortions or gender-affirming care in Maine, despite strong Republican opposition. Other lawmakers, including Republican Rep. Rachel Henderson, condemned Lemelin's comments as "reprehensible," and Assistant House Majority Leader Kristen Cloutier called them "asinine" and lacking empathy.