Scott loses all committee assignments

Controversial North Idaho Rep. Heather Scott was stripped of all three of her committee assignments in the House on Thursday, after she publicly claimed that female House members get leadership positions only if they “spread their legs.”

House Speaker Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, said, “I don’t do these things lightly or in a knee-jerk way. This is as hard a decision … as I’ve faced as a speaker. No one likes things like this.”

The removal of all committee assignments doesn’t prevent Scott from voting as a representative in the full House, but it removes her from the main work of the Legislature, the committee work in which bills are considered, hearings are held, and the potential new laws are voted up or down, prior to reaching the full House or Senate.

Asked if the decision is permanent, Bedke said nothing in the House is ever permanent.

An unrepentant Scott declined to comment, but said she’ll issue a statement later today/ Betsy Russell , SR. More here.