This article originally appeared on KCRA.com. SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Gov. Gavin Newsom is getting involved and speaking out after Democratic California lawmakers in the Assembly blocked a proposal that would make it an automatic felony to purchase a 16 or 17-year-old for sex.

The law should treat all sex predators who solicit minors the same — as a felony, regardless of the intended victim's age,' Gov. Gavin Newsom said.

Gavin Newsom is again intervening at the eleventh hour, issuing a statement moments before publication of this edition calling out Assembly Democrats for maneuvering this week to exclude older teenagers from an existing law that increases penalties on people who solicit minors for sex.