JEFFERSON CITY — The Capitol is abuzz about Rep. Bryan Stevenson, R-Webb City, who said this morning on the House floor the federal Freedom of Choice Act is the most egregious federal power grab since the “War of Northern Aggression.”

He later apologized at the urging of Rep. Don Calloway, D-Bel Nor.

Stevenson made the statement during the discussion of a resolution that would urge the U.S. Congress to reject the act, which would prohibit government interference in abortion.

Although President Barack Obama has made his support for FOCA clear, state Rep. Chris Kelly, D-Columbia, pointed out that no bill has yet been filed.

“This is a meaningless resolution about imaginary legislation,” he said. “It does not do one single thing to decrease the number of abortions in the state of Missouri.”

The resolution, HR 294, has been laid over.