The Missouri House Voted Against Funding for Sue Shear Institute Today

 

The House Minority Caucus releases the following statement: 

 

House GOP votes to eliminate educational program for women

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Republican-controlled House of Representatives today voted 93-59 to make it illegal for any public college or university in Missouri to offer educational programs that encourage women to run for public office.

“This is about keeping women barefoot, pregnant, in the kitchen and as far away from politics as possible,” said Assistant House Minority Leader Tishaura Jones, D-St. Louis. “The Sue Shear Institute trains all women for all sorts of careers in public life without regard to political party. This is yet another strike against women and an attempt to silence our voices in the political process.”

The vote came on an amendment to a larger bill related to higher education, Senate Bill 455. The amendment specifically seeks the elimination of the Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. However, the legislation is broadly written to prohibit any other public college or university from operating any program that promotes the participation of women in public affairs.

The amendment passed on a largely party-line vote with most Republicans in support. Seven Republicans joined unanimous Democrats in opposition.

The House approved the overall bill 95-56, and it now returns to the Senate. If the Senate accepts the House version, SB 455 would then go to the governor to be signed into law or vetoed.

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