Hastings Sen. Steve Halloran is facing mounting pressure to resign following his use of explicit language during a debate at the Nebraska State Capitol on Monday night. The incident occurred during a discussion on LB 441, a bill introduced by Sen. Joni Albrecht aimed at removing a prosecution exemption for schools that provide obscene materials to students from kindergarten through 12th grades.

Towards the end of the debate, Halloran read excerpts from Alice Seabold's controversial book, "Lucky," which he claimed could be found in 16 school libraries across Nebraska and was even assigned reading for some accelerated reading classes. The passages read by Halloran contained explicit references to sexual violence and vulgar terms. In a provocative move, he repeatedly inserted the name of Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh into the text.

Sen. Cavanaugh expressed her strong disapproval of Halloran's actions, describing them as inappropriate, disgusting, and unnecessary. Tearfully addressing her colleagues on the floor, she condemned the use of explicit language and the harassment she felt from the reading of passages centered around sexual violence. Cavanaugh emphasized that she had tried to engage in a respectful debate with Sen. Albrecht regarding the bill's potential impact on her own children.

Sen. Albrecht, who later revealed that she had left the floor during Halloran's comments, expressed her deep dismay at Cavanaugh's name being used in such a manner. She confronted Halloran, stating, "I didn't know you were capable of such cruelty." Albrecht called for other Republicans to stand up and defend Cavanaugh against the offensive attack.

The incident has triggered widespread condemnation, leading Sens. Julie Slama and Megan Hunt to join the chorus of voices calling for Halloran's resignation. The Nebraska Democratic Party has also called for his resignation, highlighting that this incident is part of a pattern, rather than an isolated event. Furthermore, Sen. John Cavanaugh, the brother of Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, argued that Halloran missed the point, emphasizing that graphic scenes in books reflect the reality of life and can offer solace to those who feel alone.

Approximately 18 minutes after Halloran's controversial comments, Speaker of the Legislature, Sen. John Arch, supported a motion for an early adjournment. Arch noted that there are times when debates must be halted, and he believed this was one of those occasions.

The aftermath of Senator Halloran's explicit language during the LB 441 debate has sparked a heated debate surrounding the appropriateness of his actions and his ability to continue serving as a senator. The incident has left many questioning the decorum within the Nebraska State Capitol and has raised concerns about the treatment of fellow lawmakers during legislative discussions.