Tensions ran high on the floor of the Missouri House of Representatives on Monday, during a debate over a bill that would require public employee unions to seek permission annually from employees to have union fees automatically deducted from their paychecks.

Rep. Holly Rehder, R-Sikeston, sponsored House Bill 1617, which was approved and turned over to the Senate on Thursday. The "paycheck protection" legislation, as it's commonly called by supporters, also prohibits public employee unions from using employee fees for political purposes without written permission. The measure has received strong support from state Republicans, but their Democratic counterparts have shown less enthusiasm.

Democratic Rep. Jeff Roorda, the Barnhart legislator who gained attention earlier this year for sponsoring a bill that would create a commission to "standardize or modify" the state flag, debated the bill with Rehder Monday before its passing. Roorda included in his comments a quote from German anti-Nazi theologian and Lutheran pastor Martin Niemoller: "First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a socialist. Then, they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a trade unionist. Then, they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Jew. Then, they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me."

After reading the quote, Roorda said to Rehder, "You're coming after the trade unionists first ... so who are you coming after next, lady?"

Rehder replied that the bill "increases freedom of speech" for workers to determine how their money is spent before another representative stood and asked Roorda stay on topic as "accusing us to be Nazis is not on the subject of this bill."

"Lady, I never used the word 'Nazi' -- I hope you don't think I was comparing you to a 1939-era Nazi German just because you're doing the same thing that they were," Roorda said, speaking to Rehder.

The comment immediately drew reprimand from House Speaker Tim Jones -- also a co-sponsor of the bill -- who told Roorda "a direct personal attack on the House floor is a violation of our House rules."

While Rehder has remained silent since the Monday debate, commenting only on HB 1617's successful passing from the House, other Republican supporters have been more vocal. Missouri Republican Party Chairman Ed Martin issued a statement calling for an immediate, on-the-record apology from Roorda "for his disgusting Nazi inference" to Rehder.

Last September, Rehder similarly received backlash from House colleagues when she compared Adolf Hitler's use of propaganda in Nazi Germany to Gov. Jay Nixon's campaign against House Bill 253, which would have implemented gradual cuts to income taxes for businesses and individuals. Days later, she issued a statement apologizing to anyone "truly offended" by the reference.

A message left with Roorda's office seeking comment was not returned as of Thursday afternoon.

srinehart@semissourian.com

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