Idaho Republicans Call Free Tampons In Schools Too ‘Woke’ — And Block Them

LOADING ERROR LOADING An Idaho bill aimed at providing students with free feminine hygiene products in school failed on Monday after Republicans slammed the prospect as “woke” and “liberal.” The one-page House Bill 313, introduced on March 13, would have required that public and public charter schools provide students with free tampons, sanitary napkins and other menstrual products. “This bill is a very liberal policy, and it’s really turning Idaho into a bigger nanny state than ever,” said state Rep. Heather Scott, according to The Daily Beast. “It’s not a lot of money in the state’s budget,” Republican state Rep. Rod Furniss said on March 16 to the House Education Committee before the bill failed, according to the Idaho Statesman. So are the schools now going to be providing deodorant for these kids?” Another conservative lawmaker, state Rep. Barbara Ehardt, said the phrases “period poverty” and “menstrual equity” used to discuss the bill were “woke terms.” “Period poverty” refers to the idea that some people, particularly low-income students and students of color, can have trouble accessing the menstrual products they need because they can’t afford them.