BREAKING NEWS – Olympia, Washington – A Washington state lawmaker exempted Native Americans from her life jacket bill, suggesting they’re less likely to drown due to “eons” of experience with “cold water” in the state.
Washington state Rep. Cindy Ryu, a Democrat, is the sponsor of HB 1707, a bill that would require people to wear personal flotation devices while on stand-up paddle boards, kayaks and canoes in an effort to prevent drowning deaths.
“Native Americans can and should be exempt, because we know they know how to swim,” explained Ryu. “The law was created for people that more than likely cannot swim, which obviously includes children and black people.”