New Hampshire Republican arguing against raising marriage age to 18 says teen ... trends now
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A New Hampshire Republican has argued against raising the marriage age to 18 by saying teenage girls over 16 are 'ripe and fertile'.
GOP Rep. Jess Edwards Jr added that he was concerned passing a bill to protect minors from marriage might also make abortions more appealing to young women.
The controversial comment sparked a chorus of gasps from his colleagues around the room. They passed the bill to the next stage on Thursday despite his protestation.
'Do you agree with the point of view that if we continually restrict the freedom of marriage as a legitimate social option, when we do this to people who are of a ripe fertile age, and may have pregnancy and a baby involved, are we not in fact making abortion a much more desirable alternative when marriage might be the right solution for some freedom-loving couples?' Edwards said.
Edwards assumed office as the representative for Rockingham 31 in December 2022, and his current term ends on December 4 this year.
New Hampshire Republican Jess Edwards has argued against raising the marriage age to 18 by saying teen girls are 'ripe and fertile'
GOP Rep. Jess Edwards Jr (pictured) added that he was concerned passing a bill to protect minors from marriage might also make abortions more appealing for young women
