Josh Hafner

USA TODAY

A GOP county official in Utah resigned last week amid controversy after he criticized an equal pay bill in the state's legislature, saying businesses would be forced to "reduce the pay for men they employ."

James Green, vice chair of the Wasatch County GOP, said in a letter published Wednesday in the Wasatch Wave that "traditionally, men have earned more than women in the workplace because they are considered the primary breadwinners for families. They need to make enough to support their families and allow the mother to remain in the home to raise and nurture the children."

He concluded that equal pay requirements "will mean more mothers will be forced to leave the home (where they may prefer to be) to join the workforce to make up the difference."

By Friday, Green had apologized for the letter and resigned from his position. Green told Fox affiliate KSTU that the letter prompted "hateful, vile comments." His problem lied with the bill's requirements of private businesses, he said, not the idea of equal pay for women.

"I'm one of the strongest supporters of women in the nation," he told CNN.

The bill in question, Senate Bill 210, would require "certain employers" to adopt transparent criteria used to determine employees' raises and benefits based on performance.

"I chose to step down," Green told KSTU. "I will pray for America."

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