Rep. Zooey Zephyr has been barred from the house floor for the rest of the 2023 session today and was censured
She will still be able to vote remotely
She will not be able to discuss proposals and amendments
Vote was 68 to 32
Session concludes May 5th
She addressed house leaders directly today in a defiant and very moving speech
Last week (April 18th) Zephyr said while discussing a bill that would ban gender affirming health care that lawmakers would "have blood on their hands" if they voted for it
Senate Bill 99
She was told by the speaker she would not be allowed to speak until she apologized
She has refused
The bill in question has been sent to Gov. Gianforte's desk who has indicated that he will sign it
On Monday afternoon Zephyr tried to speak on a bill and Minority Leader Kim Abbott (D) called on the speaker to let Zephyr comment on the bill
The Speaker initiated a bill on "upholding decorum" that would determine if Zephyr could speak
The vote was passed with 63 votes
After which the gallery began shouting and changing "Let Her Speak"
Regier (the speaker) asked the sergeant of arms to clear the gallery where they started chanting "Whose House? Our House" and Zephyr can be seen holding her microphone to the gallery
Law enforcement can be seen pushing people some of which were screaming
Seven people were arrested
The Montana Freedom Caucus upped it's demands after Monday and said that her holding her microphone up to the gallery amounted to “encouraging an insurrection.”
On Tuesday Republican leaders canceled a planned session
Since last week conservative Republicans have repeatedly and intentionally misgendered her
The gallery was closed today for the censure vote
Video: Helena Independent Record (local)
PC:AP