394: Anthony Kern
Anthony Kern was the Republican chair of the House Rules Committee that was deciding what to do with legislation that would affect abuse survivors’ ability to sue their abusers. There were three bills floating around addressing legal issues about child sex abuse such as changing the statute of limitations and the ability of people to sue. This was a bill child sexual abuse survivors opposed and they were present to share their perspective.
Kern refused to allow testimony because he said they heard testimony on a similar bill. The thing is, though, both bills might address the same issue, but one protected abusers. There was a vote, 5-3, along party lines, the Republicans prevailing and denying survivors of child sexual abuse a chance to testify.
