Montana Legislature Approves Freedom Caucus Censure Demand of Trans Missoula Rep. Zephyr
The House approved the censure after the transgender representative said the legislature would see blood on their hands for banning "sex change" surgeries for minors
Montana House approves censuring of Missoula Rep. Zooey Zephyr who said the body would see blood on their hands the next time they prayed their opening invocation. April, 20, 2023.
HELENA, MT (59601) – The Montana Freedom Caucus’ demand for the censure of Representative Zooey Zephyr was overwhelmingly approved today.
After the approval of the articles in the House Rules Committee and subsequent concurrence of the measure on the House floor, Representative Caleb Hinkle of Belgrade stated, “Hate-filled testimony has no place on the House floor. I applaud the Freedom Caucus for pushing for proper decorum and my fellow Republicans in the House for voting for such.”
Representative Braxton Mitchell of Columbia Falls added, “Rep. Zephyr has continuously violated decorum on multiple occasions this session, and I am glad the Speaker and members of our Republican caucus came to the clear consensus to censure the Representative after a deeply sickening comment on the floor. The Representative’s statement that we should “see the blood on our hands” when we bow our heads in prayer is only the most egregious example. We were voting for a bill that would prohibit adolescent children from having life-altering sex changes before they’re 18.”
Representative Jedediah Hinkle of Belgrade, a member of the Rules Committee, said, “As usual the Democrats tried to make the speakers ruling about discrimination and race. To inappropriately label and impugn the motives of the Speaker is also a lack of decorum.”
The Caucus’ Vice-Chair, Representative Jerry Schillinger of Circle finished by stating, “Today Speaker Regier took appropriate disciplinary action to uphold proper decorum and security on the House Floor. The members of the House voted by a wide margin to support the Speaker. Our Freedom Caucus strongly supports this action.”
During Tuesday’s debate, Representative Zephyr closed an argument by stating, “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.” See the video HERE.
The amendments debated passed by a vote of 66-34 shortly after. The bill is important because it protects minor children from forced life-altering and unnecessary surgical procedures. The bill awaits the Governor’s signature.
