The Montana House of Representatives canceled the chamber’s floor session on Tuesday after demonstrations at the Capitol interfered with lawmakers’ work.
On Monday, transgender activists stormed the House gallery to protest Republicans’ decision to censure a freshman Democrat over “hate-filled” comments on the floor last week. As Republicans debated legislation barring transgender medical interventions for minors with gender dysphoria, Rep. Zooey Zephyr, the first trans-identified representative in the House, mocked colleagues’ prayers.
“The only thing I will say is if you vote yes on this bill, and yes on these amendments, I hope the next time there’s an invocation when you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands,” Zephyr said.
Rep Zooey Zephyr of Missoula said the following when debating SB99 Amendments.
“The only thing I will say is if you vote yes on this bill and yes on these amendments I hope the next time there’s an invocation when you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands.” pic.twitter.com/wuhlympbLq
— Montana Freedom Caucus (@MTFreedomCaucus) April 18, 2023
House Republicans responded with a censure proposed by the chamber’s Freedom Caucus. Zephyr has been prohibited from engaging in floor debate since the remarks until the Missoula-area representative issues an apology.
“It is up to me to maintain decorum here on the House floor, to protect the dignity and integrity,” said House Speaker Matt Regier last week, according to the Associated Press. “Any representative that I don’t feel can do that will
