In a heated debate within the New Hampshire House of Representatives, a proposed bill to set the state’s minimum marriage age at 18 has sparked controversy and drawn national attention, as reported by MassLive. A vote of 192-174 has since passed the bill and is now awaiting action from the governor in the next weeks.

Controversial opposition

During the debate, Republican state Rep. Jess Edwards articulated a controversial stance against the bill, suggesting that by restricting marriage at a younger age, the state could inadvertently encourage abortions among teenagers facing pregnancy. Edwards described these teenagers as being at a “ripe, fertile” age. His comments drew shock for their phrasing and underlying implications, and he has since commented on the criticism.

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