JEFFERSON CITY — A Missouri House member has apologized for any offense caused when he referred to the Civil War as the "War of Northern Aggression."
The comment from Rep. Bryan Stevenson came during debate Tuesday on a resolution urging federal leaders to oppose an abortion proposal that could overrule many state-level restrictions.
The Republican from the southwest Missouri town of Webb City said it would be the "greatest power grab by the federal government since the War of Northern Aggression."
The remark prompted House member Don Calloway, a Democrat from St. Louis, to request an apology. Calloway, who is black, said the Civil War restored the union and freed the slaves and it was inappropriate to call it "Northern aggression."
Stevenson responded that he is "sincerely apologetic for any offense my comment made."
The House didn't vote on the abortion resolution.