Republican lawmaker under fire for inserting colleagues’ names into book rape scene in senate floor speech

A Republican lawmaker is under fire for inserting his colleagues’ names into a rape scene of a book as he read the passage aloud on the state Senate floor.

Nebraska state Senator Steve Halloran was taking part in a debate over a bill related to book bans when he read out a passage from Lucky, by Alice Sebold.

The book includes a graphic description of a rape Ms Sebold survived during college.

Mr Halloran did not read the passage verbatim, but instead replaced the perpetrator’s name with “Senator Cavanaugh”, referencing Nebraska Democratic Senators John Cavanaugh and Machaela Cavanaugh, who are siblings.

“He kicked me and I crawled into a ball. I want a blow job, Senator Cavanaugh,” said Mr Halloran, partially reciting dialogue from the book. “I’ve never done it before. I said, I’m a virgin. Put it in your mouth. I kneel before him, Senator Cavanaugh.”

Ms Cavanaugh slammed Mr Halloran for his stunt on the Senate floor, fighting back tears as she exclaimed she didn’t know he was “capable of such cruelty”.

“I have done nothing but try to have a respectful debate with Senator Albrecht about her bill that impacts my children,” she said. “That was so out of line and unnecessary, and disgusting to say my name over and over again like that.”

Nebraska State Senator Steve Halloran

Ms Cavanaugh also condemned Mr Halloran for pulling such a stunt when there are women in the legislature who have survived sexual violence.

Within hours, condemnations of Mr Halloran ramped up, with fellow state senators Megan Hunt, an independent, and Julie Slama, a Republican, calling for him to resign from public office.

“Honestly, I think Halloran should resign,” Ms Hunt posted to X. “How dare he even form his mouth to say the words, ‘Give me a blow