The state GOP has already silenced Rep. Zooey Zephyr on the floor, and will vote to censure or expel her this week.
The Montana House is set to vote on the disciplining of Democratic Rep. Zooey Zephyr on Wednesday afternoon after she criticized a Republican bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors in the state. Zephyr is the first trans woman elected to the Montana legislature, and the GOP attacks on her come as Republicans across the country have pushed a swath of anti-trans bills.
Leaders of the Republican-controlled Montana House informed Zephyr on Tuesday that there would be a motion to consider whether she should be disciplined this week. That motion could ultimately lead to Zephyr being either censured or expelled.
The calls to discipline Zephyr, who represents Montana’s 100th House district, have been criticized as undemocratic and an echo of what Tennessee Republicans recently did to Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson after they participated in a protest for gun control. Last month, Republicans expelled both lawmakers — who were later reinstated to their roles — from the Tennessee House. Montana Republicans’ maneuvers are ultimately a continuation of the GOP’s anti-trans positions as well as anti-democratic actions they’ve taken to quell opposition.
The move to discipline Zephyr follows a statement she made last Thursday condemning Republican legislation that curbs minors’ access to gender-affirming care. “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 at the time. Since then, a group of conservative House Republicans has accused her of “hateful rhetoric,” and House Speaker Matt Regier has said the disciplinary vote will center on whether Zephyr violated the “rules” and “decorum” of the legislative body.
Thus far, at least 11 states have approved bans that are comparable to Montana’s bill. The legislation would bar the use of hormones, surgery, and puberty blockers for youth who are diagnosed with gender dysphoria. Additionally, it prevents state Medicaid funds from being used for gender-affirming care and includes penalties for physicians who provide it to minors.
Republicans have denounced gender-affirming care as harmful even as major health care organizations like the American Medical Association and the American Association of Pediatrics have said it’s “medically necessary.” The GOP has also ramped up its anti-trans rhetoric, a message that’s particularly resonant with white Evangelical voters.
