Senator Daisy Lawler said today she is pleased a bill aimed at strengthening families in Oklahoma cleared another legislative hurdle as it passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee with bi-partisan support. She said however, she is puzzled that four Republican members of the Senate, who so often talk about the importance of ‘family values’, voted against a bill aimed at protecting those family values in Oklahoma through character education curriculum for Oklahoma school children.

“It just does not make sense to me why a group of Republican senators who often talk about the importance of family values all voted against a bill that provides Oklahoma school children an opportunity to learn the importance of character.” Lawler said

Lawler (D-Comanche) said Republicans have often called themselves the party of ‘family values’ but today’s vote in the Senate Appropriations Committee by the four GOP members is a direct contradiction to the pro-family banter they so loftily tout during the campaign season.

“It’s one thing to talk family values on the stump, but to truly be a champion for Oklahoma families you have to vote pro-family,” the senator said. “I am shocked these four members of the Republican Party in the Oklahoma State Senate, who all have in the past campaigned on valuing Oklahoma families, all voted against my pro-family bill.”

Lawler explained House Bill 1704 now advances to a full vote of the Senate.

“Senate Democrats are working hard to enact meaningful legislation that will make tomorrow better for our children and I am pleased my bill to strengthen family values through character education in our public schools passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee.” Lawler said. “But I am disappointed that four Republican senators all turned their noses up to the importance of character education by voting no on this important piece of legislation.”

For more information contact:
Senate Communications Office- (405) 521-5774