Oklahoma Republican says prohibiting hitting disabled kids is ‘socialism’ and ‘violation of scripture’

On Tuesday, Oklahoma state Sen. Shane Jett (R-Shawnee) took the Senate floor to advocate against a bill to limit corporal punishment in public schools, calling it a “violation of scripture.” Senate Bill 364 would prohibit the use of corporal punishment against students “identified with a disability.” Jett, who is the chair of Oklahoma’s far-right freedom caucus, argued that not using corporal punishment against children is a socialist idea because it was popularized by the left-wing pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock in the 1980s. “[The bill] is in violation with scripture and ideologically aligned with socialist ideology that should not be part of this body’s legislative initiatives,” Jett said.

Oklahoma Sen. Shane Jett (R-Shawnee) says a bill to ban school officials from using corporal punishment against disabled children is “socialist” and “in violation of scripture.” pic.twitter.com/iG9nySM5Pj

— Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) February 25, 2025

Jett expanded by citing Proverbs 22:15, which states, “folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.” Fellow freedom caucus member Sen. Dusty Deevers (R-Elgin) voiced concerns about stripping rights away from parents and opposed the removal of a “historically necessary and important disciplinary tool for order.” Despite Jett and Deevers’ efforts, the Oklahoma Senate passed the bill by a 31-16 vote on Tuesday. It will have to pass in the Oklahoma House of Representatives before it goes to Governor Kevin Stitt’s desk. Last year, a similar bill died in the House after passing in the Senate. Jett has served in the in the state legislature since 2004, first as a Representatives from 2004-10 and as a senator since 2020.