Montana Freedom Caucus demands censure of transgender lawmaker
Jeremiah Poff
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The Freedom Caucus of the Montana state legislature is demanding the state House of Representatives censure a transgender lawmaker who said Republicans have blood on their hands for passing a ban on transgender procedures for children.
The state House passed Senate Bill 99 on Tuesday by a sizable 66-34 margin, sending the bill prohibiting children from receiving cross-sex hormones, puberty blockers, and other transgender-related procedures to the desk of Gov. Greg Gianforte (R-MT).
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During the floor debate, Democratic state Rep. Zooey Zephyr, a biological male who identifies as a woman, blasted Republicans for passing the legislation.
“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.
https://twitter.com/MTFreedomCaucus/status/1648441274868043777?s=20
In response, the Montana state Freedom Caucus said Zephyr’s comments were “inappropriate” and called on the legislative body to censure the lawmaker for “attempting to shame the Montana legislative body and by using inappropriate and uncalled-for language.”
https://twitter.com/MTFreedomCaucus/status/1648486168122757130?s=20
“While individual legislators have condemned his behavior, the legislature itself has not yet issued a collective statement acknowledging the wrongdoing and upholding a commitment to civil discourse,” the caucus said in a statement. “This kind of hateful rhetoric from an elected official is exactly why tragedies such as the Covenant Christian School shooting in Nashville occurred. … This must stop.”
In a statement to the Washington Examiner, Montana Freedom Caucus Chairwoman Theresa Manzella, a Republican, said Zephyr’s comments were being interpreted by some lawmakers as a threat.
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“Some Montana Legislators considered the comments a threat, and in light of recent events at Covenant Christian School in Nashville, Rep. Zephyr needs to offer a reasonable explanation for his ‘blood on your hands’ comment,” Manzella said.
The Washington Examiner contacted Zephyr for comment.