Wisconsin Capitol (PHOTO: Jackie Johnson)
Republicans in the Assembly refused to take up an “apology” resolution from Democrats Thursday morning before right-to-work debate.
Democrats want Governor Scott Walker to apologize to those who protested Act 10 four years ago at the Capitol, suggesting he recently compared them to terrorists. Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) said Democrats have what he called, “Walker derangement syndrome.”
“He never compared public workers to terrorists. All he did was to say he has a backbone of steel, and I am telling you he does.”
Representative John Jagler (R-Watertown) said it’s not the time to “chase the dragon,” because lawmakers should be debating the right-to-work legislation. He said Democrats are fixated with Governor Walker. “The other boogiemen that I’m sure we’re going to be hearing about later … ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council). It’s almost noon; we haven’t heard about ALEC yet. We haven’t heard about the Koch brothers. That’ll be coming. We’ve got 24 hours.”
Democrats said Walker’s comments in Washington DC last week were outrageous and offensive. Assembly minority leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) offered to “soften the language” in the resolution. “We say that these citizens should never be brought up when there’s a reference to radical Islamic terrorists.”
Wisconsin Democrats were offended by Walker’s comments last week. The likely presidential candidate was asked how he would confront terrorist groups. He said, “If I can take on 100,000 protesters, I can do the same across the world.”
The Assembly rejected the motion along party lines.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report :41