S. Dakota Senate suspends lawmaker after vaccine exchange

By AMANCAI BIRABEN
Associated Press

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota Senate has suspended a Republican state senator in a rare move that stripped the lawmaker of legislative power while keeping the allegations against her a secret. Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller told reporters earlier Thursday that she was being punished following an exchange she had with a legislative aide about vaccinations. The Republican-controlled Senate voted to form a committee to investigate Frye-Mueller’s conduct and suspend her from voting or holding other rights of an elected official. Republican legislative leaders have refused to comment on the allegations that led to her suspension. The senator, who is part of a group of right-wing Statehouse Republicans, has opposed vaccination requirements in schools.