House Judiciary Committee secretary quits to join censured lawmaker’s staff as nation shows support

Jamie Van Valkenburg Joins Montana Democratic State Rep. Zooey Zephyr’s Staff

Former House Judiciary Committee clerk, Jamie Van Valkenburg, has joined Montana Democratic state Rep. Zooey Zephyr’s staff. Zephyr praised Valkenburg’s work and said, “courage is contagious.”

Republican Lawmakers Censure Zephyr

Montana House Republicans voted to censure Zephyr after she called out their support for a bill banning hormone treatments or surgeries for minors. Protests in support of Zephyr broke out in the house following her third day of being silenced.

Leaders Pledge Solidarity

Lawmakers and leaders across the country have pledged their solidarity with Zephyr and Oklahoma Democratic state Rep. Mauree Turner, who was also barred by Republicans after a protest broke out over anti-trans legislation. Fifty-two LGBT legislators issued a letter of support for Zephyr and Turner.

• Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) tweeted, “When Republicans are confronted with arguments they don’t like, they silence their critics. They suspend democracy.”
• Legislators from 19 states signed a letter addressed to Montana and Oklahoma House leadership, saying, “that is the purpose of the legislative process and the freedom your constituents and duly elected representatives inherently have in your state capitols, and every state capitol in our nation.”
• Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) tweeted, “Banning a duly-elected representative is an extreme, undemocratic step that harms the thousands of Montanans who no longer have a voice in their government.”

Young People Stand Up to GOP Policies

Zephyr appeared on MSNBC with Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL) and Tennessee Democratic state Rep. Justin Jones to talk about how young people are standing up to GOP policies. Frost said, “We need everybody working together, multiracial, multigender, coming together to fight for the world we deserve.”

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