Democrat Testimony Cites Jeffrey Epstein as Reason to Vote NO on Bill Protecting Children from Sexually Explicit Material
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
PHOENIX, ARIZONA—Senator Jake Hoffman is condemning democrats on the Senate Government Committee for voting against a bill aimed at protecting children from porn and other sexually explicit materials. The opposition emerged following testimony from a democrat activist crediting the famed child sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein, as a reason to oppose the bill.
During committee testimony today, a far-left activist left lawmakers visibly stunned by invoking Jeffrey Epstein to oppose legislation aimed at protecting minors from sexually explicit materials in public and school libraries. The activist who testified stated, "I brought Fifty Shades of Grey to school and read it. It was sexually explicit, but I think learning about sexual topics is a human experience that should be part of schools. Just like Jeffrey Epstein, he read books that were interesting to me, too. Therefore, I don't believe this bill is necessary; schools should be allowed to make their own decisions about what to teach."
SB 1435, the legislation at the center of the controversy, would prohibit a public library employee or independent contractor from referring children to, or facilitating access to, sexually explicit materials in any manner.
"To invoke Jeffrey Epstein while arguing against protections for children is beyond disturbing—it is morally monstrous," said Chairman Hoffman. "Epstein was a convicted predator who exploited minors. There is no universe in which his name should be raised as part of an argument to weaken safeguards for kids, or as justification to continue the sexualization of Arizona children. Parents expect us to protect children, not entertain rhetoric that echoes the logic of those who preyed on them. If defending access to sexually explicit material for minors requires citing a pedophile, then something has gone terribly wrong. Republicans will stand firmly on the side of protecting children—every single time."
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus