Judge Denies Trans Lawmaker’s Bid to Return to Montana House Floor Following Censure

Just the News: A judge has rejected a suit from Montana Democratic state Rep. Zooey Zephyr seeking to return to the state House floor following a censure vote from lawmakers over remarks made during debate on a bill barring transgender care for minors.

Zephyr, a trans individual, filed suit on Monday seeking to override the decision that bars the Democrat from speaking on the House floor. Several constituents alleged that the decision had infringed on their constitutional rights.

District Court Judge Mike Menahan determined that he lacked the authority to overrule the legislature on such a matter.

BREAKING: Zephyr Denied, Judge Rules on Montana House Floor Debate https://t.co/wOMqFa5Xt0 #MTPol #MTNews

— Aaron Flint (@aaronflint) May 2, 2023

“Plaintiffs’ requested relief would require this Court to interfere with legislative authority in a manner that exceeds this Court’s authority,” he wrote, according to the Associated Press.

Montana lawmakers censured Zephyr in late April by a 68-32 margin over the lawmaker’s saying that legislators would have “blood on your hands,” should they approve the legislation.

Ultimately, the legislature approved the bans and sent them to the desk of Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte, who signed the measure on Friday.