Two El Paso County Republicans exchanged words today over a civil unions bill, with Rep. Amy Stephens arguing that Rep. Mark Waller, as the minority leader, should have taken a role in fighting it.
“I wasn’t happy with her getting in my face,” Waller said.
He also was miffed she had talked to the Denver Post about their exchange, saying it didn’t need to go public, but he continued to discuss it, finally saying, “I don’t understand why she got so worked up.”
Waller, who didn’t speak on Senate Bill 11, said he doesn’t see why Stephens expected him to. He said he was largely silent on civil unions when he heard it in committee the last two years because other Republicans, specifically Rep. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, do a such a good job arguing against the measure. But, Stephens said, Waller now is in leadership and has a different role.
“Plus, he represents a very conservative district, which would have wanted him to say something on behalf of religious liberties,” Stephens said.
During the civil unions debate today on the House floor, Gardner and Stephens were among the Republicans offering amendments to try to change the measure.