One lawmaker compared the repeal of a New Mexico immigrant driver's license law to the Holocaust. A state senator said the appointment of a new child welfare leader was "a slap in the face" — to abused children.
Despite initial calls for bipartisanship, the opening days of a divided New Mexico Legislature have seen its fair share of heated rhetoric. Lawmakers have linked immigrants to terrorist. Others say their opponents are pushing Jim Crow-style segregation laws.
Experts say these rhetorical bombs help lawmakers later raise money during campaigns.
Richard Pineda, a communications professor at the University of Texas at El Paso, says the outlandish language in legislative debates also speaks to lawmakers' political bases and doesn't help with the business of governing.
Republicans control the House while Democrats control the Senate.
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