Some Republicans joined Democrats in rejecting the measure, which would have restricted bathroom access. Rep. Zooey Zephyr, Montana's first openly transgender legislator, won a second term last month.

Montana Republicans in 2023 voted to silence Zephyr from floor debates for breaking decorum after she said lawmakers who backed a ban on gender-affirming healthcare for minors wou

A measure to bar Montana Rep. Zooey Zephyr, the state’s first transgender legislator, from using the women’s restroom at the state capitol failed to pass the House rules committee Tuesday, with several Republicans voting against it.