BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) – Louisiana lawmakers have called on their colleague to apologize for suggesting on the House floor that strippers should be in their 20s and no more than 160 pounds.

Republican Rep. Kenny Havard provoked outrage Wednesday when he briefly proposed the amendment to an anti-human-trafficking bill aimed at blocking strip clubs from hiring dancers younger than age 21.

Female colleagues said the amendment was offensive and disrespectful. Havard defended it as a joke, a commentary on government over-regulation.

By Thursday, the “joke amendment” drew national attention, widespread scorn on social media and commentary across the Louisiana Capitol.

Gov. John Bel Edwards said the joke wasn’t funny. Lawmakers sought to distance themselves. And House Speaker Taylor Barras said Havard should apologize.

Havard didn’t attend House floor debate Thursday.What others are clicking on: