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Last week, the Republican-controlled Montana House of Representatives voted to bar Democratic Rep. Zooey Zephyr, the states first transgender woman lawmaker, from the floor for the rest of the session. Her offense? Telling GOP lawmakers that they had blood on their hands for supporting a bill banning gender-affirming care for minors.

Zephyrs expulsion from the floor is the latest example of a Republican-run state legislature wielding its supermajority to silence democratically elected lawmakersunder the guise of decorum.

Montana Republicans say that Zephyr isnt beingexiled, because she will still be able to vote remotely. But the American Civil Liberties Union disagreesand is helping Zephyr sue.

The lawsuit aims to allow Zephyr to return to the House floor, arguing that the House leadership has denied Zephyrs constituents their right to representation in state government.

The effort by House leadership to silence me and my constituents is a disturbing and terrifying affront to democracy itself, Zephyr said in a statement. The Montana State House is the peoples House, not Speaker Regiers, and Im determined to defend the right of the people to have their voices heard.

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Rep. Zooey Zephyr Sues Over Removal From Montana State House Floor Mother Jones - Mother Jones