NEBRASKA SEN. KEEPS FILIBUSTER PROMISE UNTIL ANTI-TRANS BILL IS DROPPED

Kim Swan

State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh promised to hold every bill hostage in Nebraska until her colleagues agreed to drop an anti-trans bill, and she’s making good on her word.

“I will burn the session to the ground over this bill,” Cavanaugh said at the time, according to the Associated Press.

The bill was LB 547, which would block gender-affirming healthcare for young people in Nebraska. Since it hasn’t been dropped yet, she has been blocking every bill introduced, including one that would have increased state senator salaries, according to the Guardian.

She’s sticking to her plan because she feels she “has no other choice.”

“It targets a vulnerable minority population in such a vicious manner as to deny them access to lifesaving healthcare,”

Cavanaugh told the outlet. “They are targeting children. I don’t view it as an option to do anything other than fight against it. That’s my job as an elected official.”

One of the newer bills that she blocked was a six-week abortion ban in Nebraska. Realizing this, the Republican co-sponsor of the six-week ban also withdrew support from his own bill, effectively tanking it. The bill ultimately failed to pass by one vote. What happens on LB 574 next is unknown. In April, Republicans in Omaha agreed to compromise on the bill, but nothing has happened since then. No compromise amendment has been submitted, but Cavanaugh’s colleagues now have less than 17 days left to try to pass LB 574 if they choose to.

According to NBCDFW, Slaton, 45, is accused of sexual misconduct with a 19-yearold aide and providing her with “a lot of alcohol” that made her feel “really dizzy.” He labeled himself as a Christian Conservative Republican on his Twitter account.

The Texas House Committee on General Investigating unanimously recommended Slaton be expelled from the Texas House due to "grave and serious"; behavior in an 18-page report on May 6. They found him to be in violation of the House rules by engaging in inappropriate workplace conduct, including sexual harassment and retaliation.

Although Slaton hasn’t issued a statement yet, he did send a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott announcing his resignation, NBCDFW reported. He said it was an “honor” to represent the district and is looking forward to spending time with his family. He made no reference to the allegation.

According to NBC News, neither Slaton nor his lawyer have responded to requests for comment. The attorney previously said the allegations against Slaton, which came from three female staffers who were between the ages of 19 and 21, were”outrageous” and “false.”

Slaton has a tweet pinned to the top of his profile highlighting legislation filed this session targeting drag shows, citing the need to “protect children from sexual exploitation.”