PRIORITIES: Georgia Democrats Storm Out of Chamber Over Bill to End State-Funded Sex Changes for Prison Inmates (VIDEO)
Democrats in the Georgia House walked out of the chamber Wednesday in protest as lawmakers debated a bill that would block the use of taxpayer money for sex change surgeries in state prisons.
The protest took place during deliberations on Senate Bill 185, which passed the House by a 100-2 vote.
Only two members voted against the bill—Democratic Reps. Regina Lewis-Ward and David Sampson.
The bill now goes to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp’s for approval.
The legislation bans state funding for sex reassignment surgeries, hormone therapies, and cosmetic procedures that alter sexual characteristics for prison inmates.
It includes exceptions for medical care unrelated to gender dysphoria, such as treatments for certain congenital conditions, partial androgen insensitivity syndrome, or the continuation of pre-existing hormone therapy when used solely for transitional purposes.
Watch the walkout below:
Not all Democrats participated in the walkout.
Three Democratic representatives stayed and voted for the bill, while two others stayed and voted against it.
Those who stayed were applauded by Republican lawmakers.
“I will be supporting this bill because I support an individual’s choice but I support the people’s decision on whether or not they pay for those elective procedures,” said Democratic Rep. Lynn Heffner.
Before the Democratic walkout, Republican Rep. Scott Hilton, who introduced the bill in the House, said his constituents support the legislation.
“We’re providing a higher standard of care than law-abiding citizens receive,” Hilton said.
Democratic Rep. Tanya Miller, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, accused Republicans of pursuing an “extreme agenda.”
“Our constituents sent us here to address serious pressing issues affecting their daily lives,” Miller said.
“Yet, instead of addressing real problems, my colleagues in the majority party continue their extreme agenda.”
Rep. Houston Gaines, vice chairman of the Georgia House Majority Caucus, denounced the walkout as a “disgraceful display of misplaced priorities.”
“By storming out of the legislative session, these lawmakers abandoned their duty to represent their constituents and engage in the democratic process, all to grandstand over an issue that most Georgians find absurd,” he said.
Many other Republican-controlled states including Idaho, Kentucky, Texas and Utah have passed similar legislation over recent years.
Meanwhile, lawmakers in Georgia are moving forward with other important legislation including a ban on transgender athletes from women’s sports which currently sits on Governor Kemp’s desk.
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