Georgia Democrats stormed out of the chamber rather than vote on a bill that bans taxpayers from funding gender transition surgeries for convicted criminals – apparently believing criminals’ cosmetic surgeries are more important than their constituents’ wallets.

At a Glance

• Georgia Republicans passed Senate Bill 185, banning taxpayer funding for gender transition procedures for inmates with a 100-2 vote
• Most Democrats staged a walkout in protest rather than vote on the bill
• The bill bans the Georgia Department of Corrections from providing taxpayer-funded transgender medical treatments to inmates
• Governor Brian Kemp is expected to sign the bill into law, following other conservative legislative wins
• Similar bills are being introduced in other states like Utah and Kentucky

Democrats Abandon Posts Rather Than Defend Taxpayer Interests

In a stunning display of misplaced priorities, Georgia House Democrats staged a mass walkout rather than vote on a bill that would protect taxpayers from funding gender transition surgeries for prison inmates. Senate Bill 185, which prohibits the Georgia Department of Corrections from using taxpayer dollars to provide transgender medical treatments to inmates, passed with a resounding 100-2 vote.

The bill now awaits Governor Brian Kemp’s signature to become law. This dramatic scene played out during the final day of Georgia’s legislative session, highlighting the growing divide between Democrats’ progressive agenda and the fiscal concerns of everyday Georgians.

Republican House Majority Whip James Burchett didn’t mince words about the Democrats’ theatrical exit, calling it exactly what it was – a political stunt that revealed just how disconnected they’ve become from their constituents’ values.

Meanwhile, Republican Representative Trey Kelley went further, denouncing their exit as “disgraceful” and questioning why elected officials would abandon their posts rather than engage in a straightforward debate about responsible use of taxpayer funds. The image of Democrats literally walking away from fiscal responsibility couldn’t be more fitting.

Criminals’ Cosmetic Surgeries vs. Taxpayers’ Wallets

The bill in question simply prevents taxpayer dollars from funding gender transition procedures for inmates – procedures that can cost anywhere from $8,000 to a staggering $50,000 each. While hard-working Georgians struggle with inflation and rising costs in Biden’s economy, Democrats apparently believe that convicted criminals’ gender affirming surgeries should take priority over taxpayers’ financial well-being. This bill is part of a broader conservative push to protect taxpayers from funding controversial and non-essential medical procedures for inmates, aligning with similar legislation being introduced in Utah and Kentucky.

“This disappointing stunt underscores a troubling disconnect between Democrats and the values of the people they serve”, says the Republican House Majority Whip James Burchett.

Democrats, predictably, attempted to frame the issue as Republicans focusing on “culture wars” rather than economic issues. Democratic House Whip Sam Park claimed, “Republicans continue to waste time on their manufactured culture wars while Georgians struggle with increasing costs of housing, food, healthcare and an increasingly uncertain economy.”

This incredible statement came from a member of the party that chose to walk out rather than vote on a bill that would save taxpayers money. The cognitive dissonance is astounding – in what universe is protecting taxpayers from funding optional surgeries for convicts not an economic issue?

A Victory for Religious Freedom and Common Sense

The inmate surgery ban is just one of several conservative victories in Georgia’s legislative session. Governor Kemp also signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), providing stronger protections for religious expression in the state. This legislation came after real-world cases of religious discrimination, including that of Jacob Kersey, a former police officer who faced backlash for expressing traditional marriage views. The walkout over the prison funding bill reveals the impossible position Democrats find themselves in – torn between appeasing their progressive base and respecting the values and economic concerns of mainstream Georgia voters.

“Yesterday’s walkout by Georgia Democrats during a vote to ban taxpayer-funded sex reassignment surgeries for prisoners is a disgraceful display of misplaced priorities”, says Rep. Houston Gaines.

The contrast couldn’t be clearer: while Republicans are working to protect religious freedoms and ensure responsible use of taxpayer funds, Democrats are literally walking away from their duties when faced with votes that might offend their far-left base. As Governor Kemp noted, “Working with the General Assembly this year, we’ve done a lot this legislative session.” Indeed they have – they’ve shown that in Georgia, fiscal responsibility and traditional values still matter, despite the Democrats’ theatrical protests and empty chairs. When the dust settles, Georgia taxpayers will remember who stood up for their interests and who walked out on them.

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