Nebraska State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh (D) addressed the chamber at the state capitol Monday evening through tears after State Sen. Steve Halloran (R) repeatedly inserted “Senator Cavanaugh” into a rape scene from Alice Sebold’s 1999 memoir “Lucky.”
Before Halloran started reading from the frequently banned book, Halloran addressed “Senator Cavanaughs,” referring to State Sens. Machaela Cavanaugh (D) and John Cavanaugh (D), who are siblings. But once he started reading, he addressed only “Senator Cavanaugh” — Machaela maintains he was addressing her, although Halloran claims he was addressing John.
“Something tore, I began to bleed there, I was wet now, Senator Cavanaugh,” was one instance in which Halloran called out Cavanaugh during his graphic recitation.
“I want a blowjob, Senator Cavanaugh,” Halloran added in another passage from the scene.
“That was harassing,” Cavanaugh responded in an emotional speech on the floor. “That was so out of line and unnecessary and disgusting to say my name over and over again like that. That is so inappropriate.”
“Let’s have a real conversation, but don’t start reading rape scenes and saying my name over and over again, Senator Halloran. You don’t know anything about anyone else’s life. And I can tell you that women in this body have been subject to sexual violence. I didn’t know you were capable of such cruelty,” Cavanaugh continued. “That was so unbecoming of you and unbecoming of this body, and I hope that some other people who are Republicans will stand up and defend me.”
State Sens. Megan Hunt (I) and Julie Slama (R) have publicly called for Halloran’s resignation, as has the head of the Nebraska Democratic Party.
