Montana House Republicans Censure Trans Lawmaker Over 'Hate-Filled' Comments

The Republican majority in the Montana House of Representatives voted to censure transgender State Rep. Zooey Zephyr (D) over comments Zephyr made regarding a bill to ban transgender medical procedures on minors.

Details: During a floor debate over the bill, Zephyr stated, “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.” This comment was deemed “hate-filled” by GOP representatives, and Zephyr was prohibited from speaking on the House floor until issuing an apology, which Zephyr declined to do. Protests in support of Zephyr led the House to cancel its Tuesday session. On Wednesday, a vote along party lines formally censured Zephyr. Per the conditions of the censure, Zephyr is prohibited from speaking and being present on the House floor for the remainder of the session, but can vote on bills remotely. 

Key Quotes: A statement from Zephyr called the censure a “a disturbing affront to democracy.” Montana House Speaker Matt Regier (R) responded with a statement reading, “The only person silencing Rep. Zephyr is Rep. Zephyr.”

How The Media Covered It: Outlets across the spectrum drew connections between this incident and the Tennessee House of Representatives voting to expel two Democratic lawmakers earlier this month after the lawmakers participated in a protest on the House floor calling for gun control legislation.