Rep. Quattrocchi removed from committee after controversial comments
(WJAR) — Rep. Robert Quattrocchi was removed from a committee following multiple controversial comments he made during a hearing last week.
Rhode Island lawmakers were discussing the Equity Impact Statement Act when Quattrochi, a Republican, asked Democratic Rep. Rebecca Kislak if she was pedophile.
Kislak introduced the bill which would require an "equity impact," statement before lawmakers vote on any legislation. As a result, lawmakers would take into account the bill's impact on people of different races, religion, sexual orientation and the like.
"For instance, religion. Do I have to take into account how it affects Satanists in Rhode Island? Or do I have to take into account sexual orientation and how it affects pedophiles in Rhode Island?" Quattrocchi said during the hearing.
"Well, first I want to point out that pedophile is not a sexual orientation," said Kislak, a member of the LGBTQ community. "That was really offensive."
Quattrocchi responded: "Oh, I didn't mean to. Aer you a pedophile? I'm sorry."
House Speaker Joe Shekarchi has since removed Quattrocchi from the State Government and Elections Committee.
Quattrocchi previously told NBC 10 he apologized for his comments.