California State Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (D) criticized her party after they attempted to lessen penalties for pedophiles.
The proposed law would enact harsher penalties for pedophiles, making it a felony to purchase or seek a minor for sex.
“I’d like to say as a progressive proud member of this body for the last 12 years, I’m done,” Eggman began. “I’m done with us protecting people who would buy and abuse our children.
“I’m done,” she reiterated.
“I don’t want to send more black and brown men to prison. I don’t want more people in prison, but I don’t want people buying girls. I don’t want people buying little girls anymore,” Eggman said. “I’m tired of saying it’s okay and that we have to protect the men who do it.”
“I’m not arguing that we open the gates to flood our prisons with people,” she added. “But I am arguing that we have a moral responsibility to say enough.”
“Prior to the floor vote, the Senate Public Safety Committee forced amendments into the bill that weakened protections for children ages 16 and 17,” a press release from California State Senator Shannon Grove (R), who introduced the bill, says.
The bill ultimately passed in a 36-0 vote. It will now have a hearing by the Assembly Public Safety Committee.
