Thus far, 12 House members have debated against HB 248, and 11 have debated in favor. Here are some of the latest:

Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Nampa, said, “We’ve talked today about oversight, and I don’t believe we really have oversight in this bill, I think it’s really lacking. … I call it a lot of overview but not much oversight. … What else I really feel is lacking in this thing is the protection of life and religious freedom.” He said in the House Health & Welfare Committee’s public hearing on the bill, the individuals who testified that they were speaking for themselves, rather than lobbying for an organization, opposed the bill. “Ladies and gentlemen, I will stand with the people, rather than with the lobbyists.”

Rep. JoAn Wood, R-Rigby, told the House, “I have listened to this debate, ladies and gentlemen. It makes my heart sick.” She said of the federal government, “They don’t have the power to conscript our agencies, we will give them the power with this bill.” She said, “We do have other alternatives. It makes my heart heavy to watch my own Idaho, my own compatriots hand over their freedom to a broke and morally corrupt federal government. … I will not go willingly down this path.”

Rep. Steven Miller, R-Fairfield, said, “I find myself in a very peculiar position here, Mr. Speaker. I’m in favor of this bill because I believe it serves my constituents, the best of two absolutely rotten choices. … The bill we should be debating today is nullification. … I think that is where our hearts are.”