LePage used a ceremony honoring Maine Korean War Veterans Thursday to criticize the bill’s failure in the Democratic-led Legislature. LePage signed a proclamation making Saturday Maine Korean War Veteran Recognition Day.

The Republican governor said the Vietnam War was “probably the most embarrassing war” for the U.S. in its treatment of veterans when they returned. He said he was hoping to “never see that again until recently it showed its ugly face” in Maine’s Legislature.

The bill’s opponents said there is no evidence the restriction of uniformed military recruiters is a problem in Maine schools.

LePage said he plans to reintroduce the bill in January.