House Republicans on Thursday voted against approval of Wednesday’s journal in protest of remarks made by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) comparing Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) to Jesus Christ and GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin to Pontius Pilate.

Despite GOP efforts, the journal was approved.

Cohen made the comparisons during one-minute floor speeches on Wednesday.

“If you want change, you want the Democratic Party,” Cohen said. “Barack Obama was a community organizer like Jesus, who our minister prayed about. Pontius Pilate was a governor.”

Republicans opposed the procedural vote because Cohen’s comments were “in bad taste,” said a GOP leadership aide. “Republicans don’t approve of slandering people on the House floor.”