A Republican congresswoman was put on the defensive this week by a gay student who questioned her controversial views on marriage equality.
While speaking to a conservative group in Washington, D.C., at the beginning of June, Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) likened allowing gay marriage to legalizing polygamy, incest and letting a 3-year-old get a driver's license.
"The government has to set some parameters,” Hartzler said.
At a public forum in Missouri on Wednesday, a Missouri med student asked Hartzler to explain her views.
"We’re not the ones changing the policy, OK, so you shouldn’t feel bad at all,” Hartzler told the student.
“Why shouldn’t I feel bad if there’s an amendment, if you champion an amendment prohibiting me from [getting married?]” the student responded.
The confrontation comes on the heels of New York state's decision to legalize gay marriage.
In 2004, Hartzler was a driver behind the amendment to Missouri’s constitution defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
She was also against the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell and has been critical of President Barack Obama's decision not to defend the Defense of Marriage Act.
