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A Republican legislator's remarks about sexuality sparked a bitter volley Wednesday at the state Capitol, the second time in three days such comments have created controversy.

Though unwilling to publicly discuss the issue, a number of Republicans privately expressed dismay at the brouhaha, fearing the comments may hurt their party's image.

Sen. Dave Schultheis, of Colorado Springs, on Wednesday opposed a bill requiring all pregnant women to be tested for HIV, so that if they are infected their babies can be treated to prevent the transfer of the virus.

"This stems from sexual promiscuity for the most part, and I just can't go there," he said.

"We do things continually to remove the consequences of poor behavior, unacceptable behavior, quite frankly. I'm not convinced that part of the role of government should be to protect individuals from the negative consequences of their actions."

Two days earlier, Sen. Scott Renfroe, of Greeley, used biblical references when he linked murder and homosexuality during a debate on a bill to extend health care benefits to the partners of gay and lesbian state workers.

The back-to-back comments were too much for Sen. Jennifer Veiga, D-Denver.

"Where is the Republican leadership on all this?" she demanded.

Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry responded he is not going to muzzle his caucus, although he has reminded his colleagues "we should never lose sight of the humanity of people on the other side of an issue."

"People are entitled to their opinions," the Grand Junction Republican said. "It's not my job to go around and censor people and tell them what to say."

He added that he thought Democrats were trying to "gin up the outrage machine" and said their hands aren't clean when it comes to questionable comments.

But the Capitol was abuzz Wednesday about Schultheis' remarks on a bill that had the support of every other Senate Republican, including Penry, who signed on as a co-sponsor.

Rep. Marsha Looper, of Calhan, was one of the few Republicans willing to publicly take her party members to task.

"What are they doing over there?" she asked, referring to the Senate. "I find their comments inappropriate and offensive, and I question their motives."

Schultheis later accused Democrats of "speaking out of two sides of their mouths."

"They go to extreme lengths to try to protect the fetus," he said. "On the other hand they're willing to pass laws that allow abortions or will not reduce abortions."

Former Gov. Bill Owens was puzzled over Schultheis' "no" vote.

"It's extremely inconsistent for any person who is pro life to oppose this effort to potentially save the life of a child," he said.

Owens, a Republican who served in the legislature before becoming governor in 1999, said the GOP tried to run a similar bill in the 1990s but was thwarted by the AIDS lobby, which feared profiling. He said he is thrilled it might become law.

Schultheis' remarks came during debate on Senate Bill 179, which makes several changes to state law concerning communicable diseases, including the requirement of the HIV test. Pregnant women can opt out, which goes in their medical records.

The sponsor, Sen. Lois Tochtrop, D-Thornton, pointed out that not everyone who is HIV positive got the virus through sexual contact.

Tochtrop, who is a nurse, said the risk of transferring the virus from mother to baby during the pregnancy or delivery can be reduced from 25 percent to 2 percent with medication and preventive care.

Former Gov. Bill Owens was puzzled over Schultheis' "no" vote.

"It's extremely inconsistent for any person who is pro life to oppose this effort to potentially save the life of a child," he said.

Mayabird wrote:

Former Gov. Bill Owens was puzzled over Schultheis' "no" vote.

"It's extremely inconsistent for any person who is pro life to oppose this effort to potentially save the life of a child," he said.

Quoted for truth. This is something I've been saying for a while. Fetuses are the most precious thing in the entire universe to people who call themselves "pro life" but once they're born, fuck 'em. The states that have the most restrictive abortion laws also do the least to support children once they're born. I'm glad someone in the political establishment (even if retired) at least gets some of this.

SirNitram wrote:'Pro-Life' followed the same process as 'We hate negros being near our kids' evolving into 'busing programs', and 'We hate fags' evolved into 'Sanctity of marriage'. You pick up alot of rubes if you PCize, focus-group, re-label, and market your idea right.