Georgia Democrats Walk Out Over Transgender Bill

In a dramatic response to a new bill aimed at prohibiting taxpayer-funded sex change surgeries for inmates, Georgia state House Democrats executed a walkout during the vote. The bill, which successfully passed with a 100-2 vote, saw opposition solely from Democrats.

Details of the Legislation

The contentious legislation, identified as SB 185 and championed by Republican state Senator Randy Robertson, specifically prevents the Georgia Department of Corrections from offering transgender medical treatments, such as surgeries and hormonal therapies, funded by taxpayers. According to Robertson, currently, approximately five inmates receive such treatments within the state’s correctional system. The bill is now awaiting the signature of Republican Governor Brian Kemp.

Republican Criticism of the Walkout

Republican House Majority Whip James Burchett criticized the Democrats’ actions, describing them as a “disappointing stunt” that highlights a “troubling disconnect” between the Democrats and the electorate they represent. “They knew they had no response to the substance of the bill. So, rather than debate its merits, they chose to abandon their duties by leaving the chamber,” Burchett explained to Fox News Digital.

Democratic Response

On the other hand, Democratic House Whip Sam Park argued that it is the Republicans who are engaging in political gamesmanship. “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 due to Republican leadership in D.C.,” Park stated. “We walked out to make it clear: Georgia Democrats are here to fight for working families, not political distractions.”

Broader Republican Strategy on Transgender Issues

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This legislative session, Georgia Republicans have aggressively pursued several bills concerning transgender issues, aligning with President Donald Trump’s executive orders. These initiatives include blocking taxpayer-funded medical treatments for state employees, prohibiting the prescription of puberty blockers to minors, and banning biological males from competing in girls’ high school sports.

Costs and National Trends

The financial implications of cosmetic or surgical transgender treatments are not precisely known, but estimates from the Gender Confirmation Center suggest that such procedures can cost between $8,000 and $50,000. Similar legislative measures to ban taxpayer-funded transgender treatments for inmates have been introduced in other states like Utah and Kentucky. Notably, California began providing such treatments to prison inmates in 2017 following a legal battle.

Trump’s Executive Orders on Gender Issues

In early 2025, President Trump issued executive orders that rolled back federally-funded “gender ideology” initiatives. These orders strictly define “sex” as male or female, require federal agencies to adhere to this definition, and prohibit transgender individuals from using single-sex federally-funded facilities. They also disallow federally funded transgender treatments for both inmates and minors and prevent biological males from participating in women’s sports.

Condemnation of the Democratic Walkout

Rep. Houston Gaines, vice chairman of the Georgia House Majority Caucus, vehemently criticized the walkout. “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,” Gaines stated. “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.”